New TriCore Research Institute Supports Better Health Outcomes for New Mexico

Putting Albuquerque, New Mexico on the health map

ALBUQUERQUE; Feb. 10, 2015 –Researchers and pathologists from TriCore Reference Laboratories revealed today the TriCore Research Institute (TRI) and their plan to expand jobs and healthcare innovation in the Land of Enchantment. Recent partnerships with in-vitro diagnostic companies: Roche, Life Technologies (now part of Thermo Fischer Scientific), BD, Biomerieux and DNA Electronics are connecting New Mexico’s communities to better health information and outcomes.  

Expanding research and laboratory offerings in New Mexico enhances patient care, helps expedite diagnosis and improves clinical outcomes. New testing developed by TRI will allow many patients to remain in New Mexico for more specialized care, an option not available in prior years. TRI will focus on assay development and collaborate with local, national, and international biotech companies to create new frontiers in the practice of clinical and diagnostic laboratory medicine.

These partnerships bring state-of-the-art technology to the scientific team at TriCore and support biotech companies that need clinical validation for their ideas and technologies in early stages of research. 

“TRI is one of several health platforms that TriCore is premiering this year,” said Khosrow Shotorbani, president and Chief Executive Officer of TriCore. “We have the experts, technology and faculty support from the University of New Mexico and the Pathology Association of Albuquerque to make major changes in the health industry and to create a center of excellence that promotes healthcare innovation starting with New Mexico.” 

“Research is very important to maintaining and creating healthy communities,” said Dr. Michael Crossey, Chief Medical Officer at TriCore. “Not only are we developing new tests, but we are partnering with leaders in the biotechnical industry and the bioinformatics space to optimize overall care. TRI is investing for the highest impact in our community’s health. There are things we can do here in New Mexico that are not possible in other parts of the country because of the coverage we have.” 

As the largest provider of lab services in the state, TriCore is positioned to provide medical informatics, including longitudinal tracking and real-time predictive analytics that yield better health outcomes and lower overall diagnostic costs. This is made possible by Wave analytics and almost 2 decades of health information from around the state. This technology enables TriCore to offer population health management tools and create targeted intervention strategies.  
Read more about TriCore and Wave Analytics here.

“We have a talented team of researchers who are promoting the future of laboratory diagnostics through comprehensive research support,” said Dr. Douglas Clark, pathologist and Chair of Pathology, UNM Health Sciences Center. “TriCore’s relationship with the University of New Mexico promotes translation science and creates a blueprint for other medical campuses to follow.”

“I want to congratulate TriCore on the opening of TRI, which provides New Mexicans access to the most current diagnostic techniques and translational research,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “TriCore is a leader in the Southwest for quality healthcare results and we are proud they are expanding to create new jobs.”
For more information about TriCore, visit www.tricore.org

About TriCore

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Albuquerque, TriCore Reference Laboratories is an independent, clinical reference laboratory that provides full-service, state-of-the-art laboratory tests to health care professionals and their patients throughout New Mexico and the Southwest. TriCore offers more than 1,700 laboratory tests ranging from routine to highly specialized. TriCore participates in scientific research through collaboration with the University of New Mexico and numerous national and international biotech firms. TriCore is an ISO 15189 medical laboratory.

Media Contact:
Vanna Livaditis
720-880-8434
Ioanna.Livaditis@tricore.org