Radiology companies Teleradiology Specialists and UrgentRad announced this week that they have merged to offer “enhanced capabilities and services.” The companies will officially go by the Teleradiology Specialists name, starting later this year.

Both companies are owned by physicians and provide real-time readings to urgent care centers, private practices, and ambulatory medical operations throughout the United States. Teleradiology Specialists was founded in 2004, and UrgentRad was founded the following year.

“UrgentRad's clients will benefit from Teleradiology Specialists' efficiencies in customer service, quality assurance, and improved turnaround times,” Glamaris Cohen, Teleradiology Specialists CEO, said in a prepared statement. "This partnership provides an excellent opportunity for growth in the urgent care field and other related markets.”

“This merger answers the question that we always asked ourselves at UrgentRad: How can we improve the quality of patient care?” Tim Hogan, UrgentRad executive director, said in the same statement. “This merger does just that. Now with a deeper pool of well qualified radiologists, support staff, and enhanced workflow, the patient is the ultimate winner.”