Learn How LigoLab’s LIS System Became the Centerpiece of Change for ECPC, a Thriving New England Pathology Practice

Editor's Note: This case study featuring Kristen Conley is the first of a two-part series focused on Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants and its laboratory information system (LIS) partnership with LigoLab. Part two of the series (linked below) features Dr. Michael Hitchcock and Dr. Elizabeth Rinehart.

ECPC Case Study, Part 2: Learn How ECPC is Leveraging LigoLab’s LIS System to Streamline Pathology Lab Workflow and Expand Laboratory Operations

The right connection can change everything.

In late December 2019, Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants (ECPC) was nearing a final decision on a new laboratory information system (LIS). The team had narrowed the options to two laboratory information system companies, yet uncertainty lingered.

"It felt like whatever decision we were going to make, we would be settling," recalled Kristen Conley, ECPC's Chief Information Officer. "Then one of our pathologists spoke with a colleague at a practice in Colorado who recommended we take a look at LigoLab, and that changed the course of our search."

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A Last-Minute Recommendation Changes the Course of the Search

That recommendation led Conley to contact LigoLab CEO Suren Avunjian.

"It was right before the holidays, and to my surprise, Suren responded right away," said Conley. "He and his team arranged a few demonstrations of the LIS software, and we were immediately impressed. We finalized the contract in early January and went live with our new laboratory information system in March of 2020."

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An Intuitive LIS System Software With Fewer Clicks

For Conley and her team, the uncertainty quickly gave way to excitement once they realized they had found the right pathology lab reporting software to support their growth plans.

"As an IT professional, I found the laboratory information system intuitive, easy to understand, and simple to navigate," said Conley. "Its key advantages included highly flexible configuration and design, seamless cloud hosting, easy integration with our interface engine, and a reduction in the number of steps required for routine tasks, helping our team work more efficiently."

Pathologists Were Thrilled With Report Customization

Most importantly, Conley said, the pathologists were thrilled.

“They loved that we could fully customize our report templates. We could embed photomicrographs, add graphics, use text effects tailored to the diagnosis, and incorporate both client and practice branding,” she said. 

Compared with the other LIS vendors, LigoLab offered superior template flexibility, more intuitive integration, greater control, and exceptional cost-effectiveness. 

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The Factors That Drove the LIS System Implementation 

Growing Beyond the Need for In-House Infrastructure

Until recently, ECPC hadn't needed its own laboratory information system. The group provided diagnostic and pathology lab management services for several community hospitals, endoscopy centers, and physician office laboratories across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Each location already had its own LIS medical software.

That changed when ECPC expanded operations to Harrington Hospital. The move exposed the need for upgraded anatomic pathology software. It also revealed the need for stronger infrastructure to support both existing partnerships and new business opportunities.

"When I joined ECPC, we didn't have an in-house LIS system, and even basic digital tools such as email and an electronic office suite were not in place," recalled Conley. At the time, ECPC's pathologists were credentialed at multiple hospitals and frequently rotated between facilities. 

Why a Unified Lab Information System Became Essential

As the group grew, constant movement made a unified communication and document-sharing pathology lab management solution essential.

"We set out to change that," Conley said. "We knew that to stand apart as a business, we had to modernize our laboratory information system technology."

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A New LIS System and Fresh Business Opportunities

Building the Foundation as a Two-Person Team

With LigoLab's anatomic pathology LIS software at the center of the transformation, Conley and Rebecca Dilorio, then a lead PA and now the organization’s Executive Director, began the journey toward full implementation of the LIS system.

"It was just the two of us against the world," recalled Conley. "Rebecca managed the clinical laboratory workflow and staff training. I was essentially a one-person IT department." 

As a hands-on IT leader, Conley managed a wide range of responsibilities, including provider onboarding, report design, and client configuration. She also played a key role in developing and optimizing ECPC's customized LigoLab LIS software environment to support the group's unique operational needs. 

Going Live at Harrington Hospital

Working closely with LigoLab Implementations Director Petros Martirosian, the team charted a path for ECPC's first go-live in early March 2020. The debut site was Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Massachusetts.

"Once operations at Harrington were stable, we shifted to remote support because of the pandemic," said Conley. "That's when we began planning implementations for our next two clients."

Expanding the Physician Office Lab Management Program

Those clients were Starling Physicians in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and Connecticut Gastroenterology Associates in Bloomfield, both of which were participants in ECPC's Physician Office Lab Management (POL) program.

"We provide turnkey solutions for practices that want to enhance turnaround times and create new revenue opportunities with their own on-site pathology lab," explained Conley. "Our goal is to keep expanding this LIS model, and LigoLab is a key part of that strategy. With this setup, POLs benefit by keeping everything in-house, maintaining greater control over quality, turnaround time, and provider relationships."

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A Year of Challenge and Growth

For Conley, DiIorio, and the pathologists at the core of ECPC, the year was nothing short of extraordinary. They went live with a new laboratory information system software just days before a national lockdown. The team quickly adapted to a new normal while maintaining strong pathology operations through the early stages of the pandemic. Even amid the disruption, the practice continued to expand its client base.

"We're always just a phone call or secure message away, and we make it a point to meet with our clients face-to-face," said Conley. "Our goal is to fully support our physicians with accurate diagnoses and fast turnaround times. Every one of our pathologists is a go-getter who takes pride in being accessible, building relationships, and continually finding ways to improve."

Today, ECPC continues to grow, driven by a shared vision to become the premier independent pathology group in the Northeast. 

To learn more about ECPC, its partnerships, and its physicians, visit ecpclab.com.

Conclusion: The Best Laboratory Information System Partner Makes All the Difference

ECPC's story is a clear example of how the best laboratory information system can serve as both a catalyst for growth and a stabilizing force during times of change. By partnering with LigoLab, ECPC transformed its operations, streamlined workflows, and built a strong foundation for continued expansion, all while maintaining the personalized, high-quality service its clients rely on.

Whether your organization is seeking to modernize its lab organization software infrastructure, integrate advanced reporting tools, or unify its LIS system and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) operations under one comprehensive platform, LigoLab can help you achieve your goals.

Explore Related Links Here

• LigoLab Anatomic Pathology LIS Software Solutions
• LigoLab Benefits for Pathologists
• What the Best LIS Software Vendors Offer to Their Laboratory Clients
• LigoLab’s Approach to Implementation and Support
• Six Factors to Consider Before Upgrading Lab Report Capabilities

Ready to See How LigoLab Can Empower Your Lab?

Schedule a call with a LigoLab product specialist today to see how an all-in-one medical LIS & lab billing informatics platform can help your lab grow smarter, faster, and stronger.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ECPC's LIS System Transformation With LigoLab

Why did ECPC decide to implement its own laboratory information system?

ECPC had historically provided pathology services to hospitals, endoscopy centers, and physician offices, each with its own LIS systems already in place. When ECPC expanded operations to Harrington Hospital, it exposed the need for upgraded anatomic pathology software and stronger infrastructure to support both existing partnerships and new business growth, making an in-house, unified LIS system essential.

Why did ECPC ultimately choose LigoLab over other LIS vendors?

ECPC had narrowed its search to two vendors but felt uncertain about both options. A recommendation from a colleague at another pathology practice led them to LigoLab, where CEO Suren Avunjian responded immediately and arranged demonstrations. Compared to the other two vendors, LigoLab's functionality, particularly its report customization capabilities, and cost made the decision straightforward.

What made LigoLab's platform stand out to ECPC's IT and pathology teams?

ECPC's CIO found the platform intuitive, easy to navigate, and highly flexible in terms of configuration and design. It could be cloud-hosted and integrated seamlessly with their interface engine. Pathologists were especially impressed by the ability to fully customize report templates, including embedded photomicrographs, graphics, diagnosis-based text effects, and practice branding.

How did ECPC manage its LIS implementation with such a small team?

ECPC's implementation team consisted of just two key individuals: Kristen Conley, who oversaw the organization's IT functions, including provider management, report configuration, and client onboarding, and Rebecca DiIorio, who led clinical laboratory operations and staff training. Working in close collaboration with LigoLab's Director of Implementations, the trio completed their first go-live at Harrington Hospital in March 2020. 

How did ECPC navigate going live just before the pandemic?

ECPC went live with LigoLab's LIS system at Harrington Hospital just days before a national lockdown. Once operations stabilized, the team shifted to remote support due to the pandemic. It used that period to plan implementations for two additional clients, demonstrating the platform's flexibility for remote configuration and support during a major disruption.

What is ECPC's Physician Office Lab Management program, and how does LigoLab support it?

ECPC's Physician Office Laboratory (POL) program delivers turnkey pathology laboratory solutions to physician practices seeking faster turnaround times, enhanced patient service, and new revenue-generating opportunities through on-site testing. At the core of this model is LigoLab's laboratory information system, which enables participating practices to maintain in-house operations while retaining greater control over quality, turnaround performance, and provider relationships. Among the first practices to join the program and implement LigoLab were Starling Physicians and Connecticut Gastroenterology Associates. 

What results has ECPC seen since partnering with LigoLab?

Since implementing LigoLab, ECPC has transformed its operations from having no in-house LIS system, email, or office suite to running a fully modernized pathology practice. The group has expanded its client base, launched a successful Physician Office Lab Management program, and continues to grow with a vision of becoming the premier independent pathology group in the Northeast.‍