Pathology Partners Changes Name to Caris Diagnostics and Expands Executive Team
Irving, TX - August 1, 2006: Pathology Partners Inc., the industry leader in comprehensive gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic services and technology support systems, today announced that it has undertaken an extensive review of its strategy, management and operations and has implemented significant changes to enhance the long-term benefits the company provides to its customers as well as the company’s future growth. Effective immediately, the company is changing its name to Caris Diagnostics. In addition, three key executives have joined the company this summer, following the appointment of Gail Marcus as Chief Executive Officer: Margaret Bedgood as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; Russ Farr as Senior Vice President, General Counsel; and Dr. Len Poikey as Senior Vice President, Laboratory Development.
“As we are completing the build-out of our executive team, we want to ensure that our corporate name and image are aligned with our strategies and goals moving forward,” said David D. Halbert, Chairman of Caris Diagnostics. “We determined that Caris Diagnostics more appropriately reflects the broader opportunities in front of us as we pursue our mission of helping to improve the quality of lives and extend lives while reducing unnecessary costs.”
Ms. Bedgood joined Caris Diagnostics from CaremarkRx, where she was VP of Finance. Previously, Ms. Bedgood was a leader in the finance group at AdvancePCS, a predecessor company of CaremarkRx. In her roles at AdvancePCS/CaremarkRx, Ms. Bedgood directed the company’s financial planning and forecasting processes, led the monthly financial closing process, supported public company compliance requirements and worked on several acquisitions. Prior to AdvancePCS, Ms. Bedgood served as a public accountant at Ernst & Young. She attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she received her BBA in Accounting, and the University of Chicago, where she earned her MBA in Finance and Strategy. Ms. Bedgood is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Farr joined Caris Diagnostics from CaremarkRx, where he was most recently VP of Legal Services and Managing Counsel. Previously, he was VP and Assistant General Counsel at AdvancePCS. In these roles, he led the company’s contracting strategies with pharmaceutical manufacturers and was also responsible for litigation and dispute resolution. Mr. Farr previously worked for both Fennemore Craig and Streich Lang. He holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting and a law degree from Brigham Young University.
Dr. Poikey joined Caris Diagnostics with twenty years of leadership experience in clinical and anatomic laboratory operations, management, and development. Previously, Dr. Poikey was Executive VP of Operations with American Medical Laboratories (Quest Diagnostics) of Chantilly, VA. Prior to AML, he was Chief Executive Officer of Southern California Clinical Laboratories and has held various business and technical positions with National Health Laboratories. Dr. Poikey earned his doctorate in Clinical Pathology from The Ohio State School of Medicine and holds an MBA from Loyola College.
“In order to provide the highest level of service and most innovative products to our customers, we must have the highest quality individuals at each and every level of our company,” commented Gail Marcus, CEO of Caris Diagnostics. “In my own experience with Margaret and Russ, each has demonstrated a relentless commitment to their professional standards. In addition, Dr. Poikey’s wealth of experience in this industry will be highly complementary to our executive team.”
About Caris Diagnostics
Caris Diagnostics provides superior GI diagnostic services to physicians who treat patients in an ambulatory setting. The company leads the industry in the number of sub-specialty fellowship and expert trained pathologists in gastrointestinal and liver pathology. Additionally, Caris Diagnostics provides constant, dependable specimen processing and reporting within 48 hours. Each report includes detailed diagnostic descriptions and color images in an easy-to-read, concise and complete format. More than 1,200 GI physicians nationally use Caris Diagnostics. Formed in 1996, the company is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Additional information is available at www.carisdiagnostics.com, or by calling 214-277-8700.