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
“April 13, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”
Last Thursday was the 20th Annual Conference of the Biomedical Marketing Association (BMA). Held in Baltimore, it brought together the marketing and sales executives from diagnostics companies all over the United States. The program focused on changes to how hospitals and laboratorie…
Tennessee Lab Network In Start-Up Preparations
CEO SUMMARY: Planning for the Middle Tennessee Healthcare Network’s proposed regional laboratory network took longer than expected, but not without good cause. Organizers of this laboratory network did their homework and created a solid business plan. Approval by CEOs from the participa…
MTHN Provides Lessons In Creating Lab Networks
CEO SUMMARY: Every regional laboratory network in the United States is unique. Regional variations in healthcare and business objectives are different in every case. But the management problems of network structure, governance, marketing and finance are always the same. Here are some usef…
Selling A Path Practice Requires Knowledge, Savvy & Good Timing
CEO SUMMARY: Historically, there was virtually no market for buying and selling pathology practices. That is rapidly changing as the first pathology practice management (PPM) companies enter the marketplace. Their business plan requires them to acquire pathology practices if they are to g…
Innovative Management Ideas Theme of Laboratory War College
ONCE AGAIN, THE Executive War College on Laboratory Management promises to be the management event of the year. Scheduled for May 12-13 at the New Orleans Sheraton, the program features 26 presentations covering the latest developments inn laboratory management. As in past years, there will…
Big Loss At MedPartners, Aetna Buys NY Life Unit
CEO SUMMARY: Consolidation of the healthcare industry may be continuing, but the process is not profitable for some of the country’s largest corporations. Clinical laboratories will continue to be impacted by the financial fortunes of these major players. Here’s why the troubles at Me…
“March 23, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”
Independent physician association (IPA) executives gathered in Orlando two weeks ago for the annual meeting of TIPAAA, The IPA Association of America. Because IPAs play an increasing role in contracting for laboratory services, THE DARK REPORT was in attendance to learn more about th…
1998’s Movers & Shakers Go Beyond The Ordinary
CEO SUMMARY: As the laboratory industry undergoes fundamental change, new business and management models must be developed. Our list of “Movers and Shakers” for 1998 highlights individuals now leading the science of laboratory management toward these new paradigms. FIND…
DIANON Systems Acquires Pathology Lab In Florida
CEO SUMMARY: Another national pathology player is betting on Florida. DIANON Systems, Inc.’s purchase of a local pathology laboratory raises the competitive bar in Florida. With AmeriPath and Pathology Service Associates already gearing up to battle for market share, DIANON’s local pr…
Pathology Competitors Make Florida The Target
CEO SUMMARY: Florida is about to become the marketing battleground for anatomic pathology. Three well-funded players are preparing to launch major sales efforts. Pathologists in the state wait with trepidation. Expectations of discounted pricing and a “gloves-off” sales strategy conce…
CURRENT ISSUE
Volume XXXII, No. 13 – September 15, 2025
The Dark Report examines a new bill that would reform PAMA and avoid reimbursement rate cuts scheduled for January 2026. Clinical laboratory leaders are urged to make their voices heard in Congress. Also, an expert describes how labs can fix pre-analytical errors and avoid disaster.
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