North Carolina’s healthcare landscape is undergoing transformative changes, with major developments like the planned Duke and UNC Health collaborative children’s hospital, Medicaid expansion serving over 640,000 new enrollees, and increasing focus on technological integration in care delivery. Amid this evolution, MAKO Medical Laboratories, under the visionary leadership of founder and CEO Chad Price, is strategically positioning itself to meet the state’s emerging healthcare demands through technological innovation, workforce development, and community-centered approaches.
MAKO Medical’s Technology Roadmap for 2025
Since founding MAKO Medical in 2014, Chad Price has consistently demonstrated a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to revolutionize diagnostic testing. This forward-thinking approach has become increasingly important as North Carolina’s healthcare infrastructure expands and evolves, requiring diagnostic partners capable of handling greater volume while maintaining or improving quality and speed.
MAKO Medical’s investment in artificial intelligence and machine learning exemplifies this preparedness for the future. The company has integrated AI-driven analytics into its laboratory processes, enabling faster and more accurate test interpretation. These systems can identify patterns and anomalies in test results that might escape human detection, enhancing diagnostic precision while reducing processing time. As North Carolina’s healthcare needs grow more complex, such capabilities will become increasingly valuable.
Automation and robotics form another pillar of MAKO Medical’s technological roadmap. By deploying advanced robotic systems for sample processing and testing, the company has significantly enhanced operational efficiency while minimizing the potential for human error. This automation strategy, as detailed in a recent industry analysis, allows MAKO Medical to scale its capacity without compromising quality – a critical capability as North Carolina’s healthcare system expands.
Cloud-based data management systems represent a third technological innovation preparing MAKO Medical for North Carolina’s healthcare future. These platforms provide healthcare providers with secure, real-time access to diagnostic information, facilitating faster clinical decision-making and more coordinated care. In a state where healthcare integration is a growing priority, such seamless data sharing capabilities position MAKO Medical as an ideal partner for emerging care models.
“If you participate in managed care, you’re required to turn over data,” Price has explained. “We realized early on that as we started this lab process, it’s really a technology business.” This insight has guided MAKO Medical’s development of new technologies that allow providers to access precisely the data they need, enhancing efficiency and improving patient outcomes.
Adapting to Healthcare System Changes
North Carolina’s healthcare system is evolving rapidly, with shifts toward value-based care, expanded insurance coverage through Medicaid, and growing emphasis on preventive health. Chad Price has positioned MAKO Medical to thrive in this changing environment through strategic adaptations that align with emerging healthcare trends.
The company’s development of direct-to-consumer healthcare solutions represents one such adaptation. As patients increasingly seek convenient access to health services, MAKO Medical has introduced at-home testing kits and mobile collection options that eliminate traditional barriers to diagnostic testing. These consumer-friendly approaches, highlighted in an interview with Chad Price, reduce reliance on traditional healthcare settings while expanding access to essential diagnostic services – aligning perfectly with North Carolina’s goals for improved healthcare accessibility.
MAKO Medical’s integration with telehealth platforms further demonstrates its readiness for the future of healthcare delivery. By creating diagnostic pathways that complement virtual care, the company facilitates comprehensive healthcare that combines remote consultation with accurate testing. This model is particularly valuable for North Carolina’s rural communities, where healthcare access has historically been limited. As telehealth adoption continues to increase statewide, MAKO Medical’s telehealth-compatible diagnostic services position it as an essential partner in this expanding care modality.
Price’s focus on developing value-based testing approaches also prepares MAKO Medical for North Carolina’s shifting healthcare economics. Rather than simply maximizing test volume, the company prioritizes diagnostics that deliver actionable insights and improve patient outcomes. This philosophy aligns with broader healthcare reforms aimed at reducing unnecessary services and focusing resources on interventions that meaningfully improve health. As North Carolina continues implementing value-based payment models, MAKO Medical’s outcome-oriented approach positions it advantageously in the evolving reimbursement landscape.
Workforce Development Through MAKO University
A critical component of Chad Price’s forward-looking strategy is addressing the healthcare workforce challenges facing North Carolina. Recognizing that technological advancement must be matched with skilled personnel, Price established MAKO University in 2022 – an internal education initiative designed to develop the next generation of healthcare diagnostics professionals.
MAKO University offers accredited training programs in specialized areas like phlebotomy, providing both current employees and new recruits with opportunities to enhance their skills and advance their careers. This investment in workforce development addresses a pressing need in North Carolina’s healthcare ecosystem, where staffing shortages have created operational challenges for many providers.
The educational program also reflects Price’s commitment to creating accessible career pathways in healthcare. By offering structured training and advancement opportunities, MAKO University helps diversify the healthcare workforce and provides economic mobility for individuals who might otherwise lack access to healthcare careers. This approach aligns with North Carolina’s broader workforce development goals and contributes to the state’s healthcare human capital.
MAKO Medical’s focus on veteran employment further strengthens its workforce development strategy. The company has reserved logistics positions exclusively for military veterans, tapping into a skilled talent pool while supporting service members’ transition to civilian careers. This initiative not only addresses staffing needs but also brings valuable discipline and logistics expertise to MAKO Medical’s operations – qualities that will remain essential as the company scales to meet North Carolina’s growing diagnostic demands.
Community Resilience and Public Health Readiness
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical importance of diagnostic testing capacity during public health emergencies. Chad Price’s leadership during this crisis revealed MAKO Medical’s adaptability and preparedness – qualities that position the company to contribute significantly to North Carolina’s future public health infrastructure.
When testing needs surged dramatically, MAKO Medical rapidly scaled its operations, expanding from 350 employees to over 1,000 and processing millions of COVID-19 tests. This rapid mobilization demonstrated the company’s flexible operational model and commitment to public health. As North Carolina faces future health challenges – from seasonal influenza outbreaks to emerging infectious diseases – this proven ability to quickly expand testing capacity represents a valuable state resource.
Price has integrated lessons from the pandemic into MAKO Medical’s ongoing preparedness strategy. “The pandemic caught many off-guard, highlighting the need to have robust crisis management plans in place, both at individual and organizational levels,” he has noted. “We learned that flexibility and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges.” This philosophy guides the company’s approach to maintaining surge capacity and developing protocols for rapid response to emerging health threats.
MAKO Medical’s mobile testing capabilities further enhance North Carolina’s public health readiness. These deployable units can bring diagnostic services directly to outbreak hotspots or underserved communities, enabling rapid testing and surveillance during health emergencies. As the state works to strengthen its public health infrastructure following the pandemic, such flexible testing resources represent an important component of comprehensive preparedness.
Innovation and Research Partnerships
Looking toward 2025 and beyond, Chad Price has positioned MAKO Medical as not just a service provider but an innovation partner in North Carolina’s healthcare ecosystem. The company’s investments in research and development of new testing methodologies demonstrate its commitment to advancing diagnostic science alongside service delivery.
MAKO Medical has developed proprietary triage software that helps physicians determine optimal treatment paths for patients based on diagnostic results. This technology exemplifies how the company is moving beyond traditional laboratory services to create integrated solutions that directly support clinical decision-making. Such innovations align with North Carolina’s growing emphasis on data-driven healthcare and precision medicine.
Collaborative partnerships with educational institutions represent another forward-looking aspect of MAKO Medical’s strategy. By working with community colleges and universities, the company contributes to the development of healthcare knowledge while gaining insights from academic research. These relationships create a pipeline for both talent and innovation that will serve North Carolina’s healthcare system for years to come.
Preparing for North Carolina’s 2025 Healthcare Landscape
As North Carolina approaches 2025, its healthcare system will continue evolving – with expanded Medicaid coverage, new facilities like the planned children’s hospital, and increasing integration of advanced technologies. Chad Price has built MAKO Medical with the foresight and flexibility to thrive in this future, positioning the company as an essential partner in the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
The company’s technological sophistication, adaptable business model, investment in workforce development, and commitment to community health align perfectly with North Carolina’s healthcare trajectory. By anticipating rather than merely reacting to industry trends, Price has ensured that MAKO Medical will remain at the forefront of diagnostic innovation.
For healthcare providers and policymakers across North Carolina, MAKO Medical offers a glimpse of what future-ready healthcare organizations look like – technology-driven, workforce-focused, community-oriented, and prepared for rapid adaptation. As the state continues building its healthcare capacity, such forward-thinking partners will be invaluable in creating a system that delivers accessible, affordable, high-quality care to all North Carolinians.
Chad Price’s leadership at MAKO Medical demonstrates how visionary entrepreneurship can advance both business success and public health. By building a company prepared for tomorrow’s challenges, he has created not just a successful enterprise but a valuable healthcare resource for North Carolina’s future.
For more information about MAKO Medical and their innovative approach to healthcare diagnostics, visit MAKO Medical’s official website or explore their community initiatives on The Principal Post.