From Launch to Lift-Off: Highlighting Goldfinch Laboratory’s Formula for Rapid Growth

Goldfinch Laboratory, an independent pathology practice based in Iowa, was founded by Dr. Jared Abbott, Dr. Tiffani Milless, and two other partners on February 1, 2023. The name "Goldfinch" pays homage to Iowa's state bird and reflects the pathology group’s ambition to provide specialized services beyond state borders and to underserved rural communities. Their vision was to create a subspecialty-focused pathology practice that leveraged cutting-edge LIS laboratory information system software technology and the latest digital pathology solutions to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Vision and Goals

Goldfinch Laboratory aimed to:

• Establish a highly specialized pathology practice offering expert-level diagnostics across multiple subspecialties.
• Utilize innovative laboratory information system functions and digital pathology’s key benefits to streamline laboratory workflow management and enhance efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration.
• Expand their services beyond Iowa, ensuring rural communities receive the same high-quality diagnostic services as those in major metropolitan areas.
• Foster a scalable and customizable laboratory infrastructure capable of adapting to evolving industry demands.

“We wanted to start a company focused on a subspecialty model where we could bring together the best minds for the best diagnoses.”

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD

Challenges

Starting from scratch, Goldfinch Laboratory faced several challenges:

• Building from Zero: On their first day of operations, they processed only four blocks, raising concerns about immediate financial sustainability.
• Technology Integration: Selecting and implementing the right LIS software and digital pathology solutions to support their growth and maintain seamless lab workflow.
• Recruitment and Retention: Attracting top-tier pathology talent to a rural state where recruitment can be difficult.
• Laboratory Revenue Cycle Management (RCM): Identifying the most effective approach to laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) while maintaining financial efficiency.

Strategic Decisions and Implementation

1. Specialization & Digital Pathology Integration

Goldfinch Laboratory adopted a subspecialty model, hiring experts in dermatopathology, gastrointestinal pathology, genitourinary pathology, and breast pathology. They implemented a robust and highly configurable lab information system with advanced digital pathology interoperability capabilities to facilitate remote collaboration with specialists nationwide, ensuring top-tier diagnostics regardless of the pathologist’s location.

“We wanted the kind of business, the kind of lab, the kind of medical care, that can pivot on a dime and without hesitation, react decisively to what's coming in the latest in clinical care, the latest in technical advances within pathology, and the latest in what our clients need and what they tell us.”

Tiffani Milless, MD

2. LIS Laboratory Information System Selection: LigoLab

Choosing LigoLab as their LIS system software provider proved to be a crucial decision. They sought a pathology lab management system that could:

• Enable a completely barcoded, paperless LIS system workflow from accessioning to reporting.
• Integrate seamlessly with their digital pathology solutions partner (Lumea).
• Offer customizations tailored to Goldfinch’s evolving needs, supporting multiple specialties and state expansions with rule-based customizable report templates that cater to client preferences for design and distribution.
• Automate complex and time-consuming processes, reducing administrative overhead and turnaround times for case results.

“They can get their reports the way they want them and we know we can deliver thanks to all the LIS system customization. That’s really powerful. It gives us that confidence and we don't feel like we're over-promising when we say, ‘Oh yeah, I'm sure we can do that.’”

Tiffani Milless, MD

Learn More: LigoLab’s Approach to LIS System Implementation and Support

3. Lab Revenue Cycle Management (Lab RCM) Strategy

Initially outsourcing their laboratory billing to an external vendor, Goldfinch Laboratory quickly realized that this approach was not yielding the desired results. They switched to a different lab billing provider but acknowledged the potential benefits of LigoLab's integrated laboratory revenue cycle management (lab RCM) module. In hindsight, they believe implementing LigoLab’s RCM module from the start might have been a better decision.

White Paper: Maximizing Your Lab’s Profitability: The Case for In-House Lab Billing

4. Scalability and Customization

From handling just a handful of cases daily, Goldfinch Laboratory scaled to processing over 400 blocks per day within two years. Their decision to invest in scalable LIS system technology allowed them to expand seamlessly while maintaining efficiency.

5. Enhancing Pathologist and Staff Workflow

Goldfinch Laboratory ensured every process was optimized for efficiency. They:

• Engaged directly with accessioners, histotechs, and pathologists to refine workflows.
• Eliminated redundant manual tasks through LigoLab’s rule and automation features.
• Used digital pathology to attract top-tier specialists, regardless of geographic limitations.

“Whenever you're thinking about a lab, think about laboratory workflow management and the processes within the lab, and less about the pathologist sign-out experience. Look at a bigger world because that's where most business success happens.”

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD

Impact and Results

• Improved Efficiency: LigoLab’s LIS system solution streamlined laboratory operations, significantly reducing turnaround times and administrative burden.
• Expanded Service Area: By leveraging digital pathology, Goldfinch serves multiple states and delivers high-quality subspecialty pathology services to underserved areas.
• Increased Case Volume: From processing four blocks on day one to handling over 400 blocks daily within two years.
• Enhanced Patient Care: Patients in rural areas receive expert pathology diagnoses comparable to those from leading academic centers.
• Strong Recruitment and Retention: The combination of advanced LIS lab technology and a flexible work environment helped Goldfinch attract highly skilled subspecialty pathologists.

“LigoLab has really shined in being able to create automation and lean processes that save us on payroll. I also feel like the LIS system-digital pathology integration has helped us with recruitment. We get so much young, bright talent because they really enjoy the workflow and they see this high-tech, great IT product that we have.”

Tiffani Milless, MD

Lessons Learned

1. Investing in the Right Technology Pays Off: While LigoLab and digital pathology required some upfront investment, they provided scalability and efficiency essential for Goldfinch’s rapid growth.
2. Customization is Key: An out-of-the-box LIS software solution would not have met their complex needs. LigoLab’s customization allowed them to tailor workflows, interfaces, and lab reports to client-specific requirements.
3. RCM Should be an Integral Part of LIS System Implementation: Managing laboratory billing in-house from the beginning might have prevented early laboratory billing process inefficiencies.
4. People are the Most Valuable Asset: Recruiting and retaining the right team members was crucial to their success.
5. Be Adaptable: The ability to pivot and scale operations in response to new opportunities and challenges was a major factor in their success.

“The hardware is costly. The LIS software and digital pathology solutions are costly. The integration project is costly in time and to a degree money. All of that is upfront costs. The question is what is your return on investment? For us, it's been bringing on service lines that we otherwise couldn't access.”

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD

Future Outlook

Goldfinch Laboratory is positioned for continued growth over the next three to five years. Their strategic plan includes:

• Expanding into additional subspecialties and geographic regions.
• Strengthening LIS system and digital pathology integrations for even greater efficiency.
• Enhancing automation and AI capabilities to optimize pathology workflows.
• Continuing to serve underserved populations while maintaining the highest quality standards.

“As we build partnerships and networks throughout the state we keep hearing from more and more people who want a better anatomic pathology solution. We just need to listen to them and see how we can potentially deliver that to them in all sorts of different settings, whether it's hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and different specialties, we can bring this LIS model with digital pathology to more and more places.”

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD

Learn More: How AI Can Propel Medical Laboratories into a New Era of Growth

Conclusion

Goldfinch Laboratory’s story highlights how vision, innovation, and strategic partnerships can transform a startup pathology practice into a thriving multi-specialty laboratory. By embracing LIS system customization, digital pathology, and a client and patient-centered approach, Goldfinch has rapidly grown while setting a benchmark for modern pathology practices. Their success serves as an inspiration for pathologists and healthcare entrepreneurs looking to build a practice that is both high-quality and scalable.

Goldfinch Laboratory: Leading Pathology Services in Iowa and the Midwest

Goldfinch Laboratory is a trusted provider of precise and timely pathology services, delivering expert diagnostic solutions to healthcare providers across Iowa and the Midwest. With a team of board-certified, fellowship-trained pathologists, the practice specializes in subspecialty pathology, ensuring accurate diagnoses that guide effective treatment plans. The lab’s commitment to efficiency and excellence means that most test results are available within 24-28 hours, helping physicians make timely and informed decisions for their patients.

The laboratory offers comprehensive pathology services, including dermatopathology, gastrointestinal pathology, urologic pathology, breast pathology, hematopathology, gynecologic pathology, and cytopathology. 

Goldfinch enhances service and efficiency by providing multiple reporting solutions - including bidirectional interfaces, web portal access, auto fax, and color-printed reports - allowing healthcare professionals to receive results in their preferred format. 

Jared Abbott, MD, PhD

Pathologist

Dr. Abbott, a Northern Minnesota native, earned his MD/PhD from the University of Texas Southwestern and completed his pathology residency and dermatopathology fellowship at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Board-certified in Anatomic Pathology and Dermatopathology, he has been practicing in Iowa for over 15 years. A leader in his field, he has served as President of the Iowa Association of Pathology and is actively involved with the College of American Pathologists at the national level.

Tiffani Milless, MD

Pathologist

Dr. Tiffani Milless is a board-certified pathologist specializing in Anatomic, Clinical, and Dermatopathology, with nearly a decade of experience diagnosing patients in Iowa. She earned her Anthropology degree from Notre Dame, completed medical school at the University of Toledo, and trained in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Yale New Haven Hospital, followed by a Dermatopathology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. A dedicated healthcare advocate, Dr. Milless has served as President of the Iowa Medical Society and remains actively involved in legislative and professional organizations, including the Iowa Association of Pathologists and the College of American Pathologists.

LigoLab: Powering the Future of Laboratory Information System Software

The passionate team at LigoLab didn’t just create another LIS software - it redefined what a modern laboratory information system can achieve with its all-in-one medical LIS and lab revenue cycle management platform, an advanced pathology lab software application that seamlessly integrates advanced tools with intuitive features and widespread automation capabilities, empowering independent healthcare laboratories to evolve, scale, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Unlike outdated LIS systems that create inefficiencies, LigoLab unifies operations, eliminates manual workarounds, and enhances interoperability, allowing labs to work smarter, not harder. The comprehensive informatics platform transforms pathology lab management by optimizing workflows, improving patient outcomes, and driving industry-wide innovation.

For nearly 20 years, LigoLab has been the trusted choice for 300+ medical laboratories nationwide, supporting pathology, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, genomics, and more. Discover the power of LigoLab firsthand - connect with a product specialist today and request a personalized LIS software demo tailored to your lab’s unique needs!

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