Robert Michel
Until Robert L. Michel came along and founded The Dark Intelligence Group (DIG) two decades ago, the clinical laboratory industry and the anatomic pathology profession lacked a trustworthy source for information about the management and operations of medical laboratories. From its inception in 1995, The Dark Report quickly became the “go to” source of industry intelligence, innovations in lab management, and strategic market analysis.
This excellence in reporting has earned recognition from his peers. For example, twice Michel and The Dark Report have won national awards for best investigative reporting by the Specialty Information Publishers Association. In 2005, the award was for Michel’s coverage about how the anatomic pathology condominium laboratories (pod labs) operated by urologists and gastroenterologists came to be, who operated them, and how these owners marketed the AP condo labs to other physician groups. In 2009, Michel’s award for best investigative reporting resulted from his published interviews with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated when the company admitted that, for a period of 18 months, it had been reported inaccurate Vitamin 25(OH) D results because of problems with its laboratory-developed test methodology. The Dark Report’s story was picked up by The New York Times and was in the national news cycle for several days.
In his role as Editor-in-Chief, Michel brought unique capabilities to DIG and The Dark Report. His management training and diverse business experience—along with his skills as a concise writer and analyst—proved to be a winning combination for readers of The Dark Report. For that reason, Michel’s story has many intriguing elements.
Immediately prior to founding DIG, he had served in several executive positions for Nichols Institute based in Portland, Oregon, and San Juan Capistrano, California. This was during the time that Nichols Institute was an independent public lab company with annual revenues of about $280 million (prior to its acquisition by MetPath, Inc., now Quest Diagnostics Incorporated). He traveled extensively to many of the clinical lab business units owned by Nichols Institute in different regions of the United States and played a role in formulating effective market strategies in response to the emergence of closed-panel HMOs, capitated pricing, and full-risk managed care contracts, among other successful management initiatives.
Prior to his service at Nichols Institute, Michel served at three different Fortune 100 companies. These were Procter & Gamble, Centex Corporation, and Financial Corp. of America. Each was an opportunity to master new management techniques and apply them in different industries. Between these positions, he gained experience as an entrepreneur, having founded a real estate development firm and a general contracting company in the Southeastern United States.
Robert Michel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played rugby, a sport he participated in for another 22 years. He is a native of California and grew up in Santa Ana.
Articles by Robert Michel
How Specialty Diagnostic Tests Connect with Lab Customers – 2
In this exclusive Q&A, Revvity’s Yves Dubaquie provides details about the in vitro diagnostics company’s priorities, including developing specialty tests and reviewing its business in China. Dubaquie also explains why clinical laboratories may need t…
Congress Returns to CLIA Reform with Proposed LDT Framework
Newly filed Enhancing CLIA Act seeks to modernize clinical laboratory regulations A newly introduced federal bill could signal the next chapter in the long-running debate over how laboratory developed tests (LDTs) should be regulated in the United States. Not only doe…
Expect RESULTS Act Vote by the End of the Year
Evidence at the 2026 Executive War College suggests a coming push in clinical lab advocacy, focusing on the RESULTS Act to establish a permanent, database-driven reimbursement model. Simultaneously, federal regulators have floated the idea of heightened scrutin…
Positioning the Clinical Lab as a Strategic Powerhouse
The 31st Annual Executive War College in New Orleans showcased speakers who have re-imagined the diagnostic laboratory’s role from back-office utility to a primary driver of system-wide strategy and clinical excellence. A consistent theme came up during dozens of sessions at the confe…
Allina Will Join Sutter and Focus on Digital Growth
Minnesota-based Allina Health’s plans to join Sutter Health in California would create a multi-regional integrated delivery network backed by a $2 billion push into digital and outpatient care. As has been illustrated by past agreements and mergers, clinical laboratories for Allina fa…
Ruling Limits Lab Vulnerability on Medical Necessity
A federal appeals court ruling has established a legal “safe harbor” for clinical laboratories, shifting the burden of proof in False Claims Act cases. By allowing labs to generally rely on physician orders as evidence of medical necessity, the decision provides a new defense agains…
Six Themes Will Define the 2026 Executive War College
The 31st Annual Executive War College on Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory, and Pathology Management is just eight weeks away. From financial performance to digital pathology and AI, this year’s jam-packed conference will deliver practical solutions for today…
PAMA Cuts Averted Until 2027; Labs Must Plan Next Move
Clinical laboratories have again avoided a potential financial disaster, at least for now, after Congress shifted PAMA cuts to test reimbursement rates until January 2027. However, the victory is temporary absent permanent PAMA reform. To that end, laboratory leaders need to push lawmak…
FDA May Reclassify Oncology Companion Diagnostics to Class II Devices
Regulatory attorneys indicate that the FDA’s move to reclassify oncology companion diagnostics to Class II medical devices could speed approvals and reduce costs for submissions. From a business perspective, the proposal could allow clinical laboratories to expand their testing option…
Top Stories in 2025 Played Out in Courts and on Capitol Hill
For clinical laboratory and pathology leaders, 2025 presented a year of profound transformation. Regulatory rulings, legislative efforts, technological innovation, and market consolidation reshaped the landscape for clinical labs. Here, members…
CURRENT ISSUE
Volume XXXIII, No. 9 – July, 2026
Newsmaker Interview with Revvity’s Yves Dubaquie > How Specialty Diagnostic Tests Connect with Lab Customers: In this exclusive Q&A, Revvity’s Yves Dubaquie provides details about the in vitro diagnostics company’s priorities, including developing specialty tests and reviewing its business in China. Dubaquie also explains why clinical laboratories may need to consider hiring more technology-savvy workers in the future as the complexity of instruments grows.
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