Silicon Valley tech company, imaging practices merge to ‘change the face of radiology’
A Silicon Valley-based technology company is joining forces with several local imaging practices in a bid to “change the face of radiology.”
Halo Diagnostics announced Monday that it’s teaming up with several California providers, including Desert Medical and Open System Imaging. Both have several practice locations and 20-year histories in the radiology business, according to an announcement.
All told, Halo Dx, as the company is called, is comprised of nine radiology practices in the state of California following the affiliation. Combined with 26 more “strategic partner” Proscan imaging centers in the Midwest, the company will deploy 65 radiologists overseeing nearly 1 million patient encounters annually, the partners said.
Their goal is to reach many more practices by the end of this year, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to become “one of the top radiogenomics networks in the United States.”
"Halo Dx has combined the top pioneers in the fields of radiology and technology to deliver an unparalleled level of diagnostic imaging service and care. This benefits our patients, referring physician strategic partners, and the payer community," CEO Michael Uhl said in a statement. "We are changing the face of radiology by leading from within the centers and with the doctors. The industry will be fundamentally different in 3-5 years as Halo Dx leads the industry forward."
John Feller, MD—the radiologist who founded and serves as medical director at Desert Medical Imaging—will now lead Halo Dx as chief medical officer. In the announcement, Feller said he’s excited to marry their 20 years of experience with the newest technology advancements to “take radiology to the next level.” Any new products created through the partnership will first be available to local customers treated at the Halo Dx Innovation Center in Coachella Valley before spreading to other locations, he added.
The company’s practices run the gamut of imaging services, from MRI to CT, ultrasound scans, interventional radiology and virtual colonoscopy. Leaders said they hope to develop a women’s imaging program, artificial intelligence solutions and expanded nuclear medicine and genomics offerings in the near future. The Chico (California) Breast Care Center also joins Halo Dx this month, officials noted.
Editor's Note: This article has been revised from its original version to include a link to a new press release, an updated quote from Michael Uhl and modified practice numbers.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.