Ron Hankins, PresidentThe company does it all—from building state-of-the-art laboratories from the ground up to managing daily operations and revitalizing underperforming labs. With over four decades of experience, Hankins Consulting has successfully built more than 70 laboratories and managed countless others.
Offering turnkey solutions from concept to operation, the company brings unmatched expertise to every stage of the lab lifecycle. Hankins Consulting’s deep understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks empowers clients to run streamlined, legally sound, and cost-efficient operations.
Beyond operational know-how, it has built an extensive network of partnerships within the laboratory ecosystem. These include biomedical service, revenue cycle management, laboratory information systems, shipping, logistics, and laboratory supplies. Through these trusted partnerships, the company can deliver comprehensive solutions to the clients that often lead to substantial cost savings.
“Designing a lab is one thing, but real understanding comes from hands-on experience. Our long-standing industry partnerships and operational knowledge allow us to create efficient, cost-effective labs that are built to perform from day one,” says Ron Hankins, president.
Built from the Ground Up-Soup to Nuts
Building efficient labs rarely ends with establishing brick and mortar, which is why Hankins Consulting takes a more collaborative approach from the get-go. Whether it’s guiding clients in choosing the right location or managing negotiations, the team ensures every step supports the lab’s long-term goals. And for those with an existing space, Hankins steps in seamlessly to optimize it for both performance and compliance.
The design process starts with a deep understanding of the client’s specimen volume, testing modalities, and lab type—whether it’s pathology, molecular, toxicology, or clinical—along with relevant compliance requirements. The next step is to design the lab’s workflow and floor plan while taking into consideration the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA), environmental protection agency (EPA) and national fire protection agency (NFPA) regulations.
Our team will provide oversight for any size lab, from those located in medical practice settings up to labs that reside in large standalone buildings. The company utilizes partnerships with licensed architects and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers to develop detailed plans. These plans are submitted to the local zoning and permitting offices for permits.
Post securing the permits, the company brings in trusted external contractors for the construction work. While the lab gets ready, Hankins Consulting orders the laboratory furniture custom-built to fit the specific requirements of the lab.
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Designing a lab is one thing, but real understanding comes from hands-on experience. Our long-standing industry partnerships and operational knowledge allow us to create efficient, cost-effective labs that are built to perform from day one
Post securing the permits, the company brings in trusted external contractors for the construction work. While the lab gets ready, Hankins Consulting orders the laboratory furniture custom-built to fit the specific requirements of the lab.
The company handles all the set-up including installation of equipment, writing the standard operating procedures, ensuring OSHA signage, setting up laboratory information systems, and integrating with electronic health records. Team Hankins also assists in staffing, applying for clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA) licensure and obtaining College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation.
Once the lab is fully established, Hankins Consulting offers end-to-end operational support by managing personnel, supplies, compliance and day-to-day lab operations for clients.
Rescuing Sub-Optimal Operations
Along with building labs, the company specializes in optimizing existing operations. It performs a full-scope analysis to find ways to make operations leaner and more efficient.
Here, Ron Hankins and his team’s extensive experience in laboratory operations—shaped by leadership roles at industry giants like AmeriPath and Quest Diagnostics—proves invaluable. Ron’s past experience managing 26 labs for Quest and developing a tool called the unit-level economics allows Team Hankins to evaluate labs down to the cost per specimen across every general ledger line item.
“We know what drives high-performing labs. Our sharp analysis uncovers inefficiencies, streamlines workflows and often cuts costs by 20 to 30 percent—all while improving performance and doing more with fewer resources,” says Hankins.
The impact of Hankins Consulting was demonstrated in a recent client success story.
A pathology lab approached Hankins Consulting to help build a larger lab facility. But before construction could begin, a circumstance arose requiring the lab to immediately move from its current location within 60 days.
Team Hankins Consulting moved quickly, setting up a fully functional temporary lab in just 50 days and moving the lab 45 miles to the new location over a weekend; meanwhile, work on the permanent facility continued. But that was just the beginning.
As the team became more involved in the lab’s day-to-day operations, they uncovered a critical issue: test turnaround times had ballooned to more than three weeks for processes that should’ve taken just three days.
Eventually, Hankins Consulting took over full operations. After a three-week shutdown to clear the backlog and reset workflows, they cut turnaround times to two to three days. The team also led the transition to a fully digital workflow, boosting efficiency and significantly reducing costs.
Proprietary Test Validation and Implementation
Hankins Consulting has acquired exclusive access, allowing them to introduce novel testing to its laboratory customers. Such tests are a multi-cancer early detection screening and diagnostic test (MCED), NailGram™, Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density (ENFD) formalin method, among others. These tests provide high clinical value while expanding laboratory test menus, specialty call points, and new market penetration. Additionally, these tests have high reimbursement and gross profit margins bringing exciting growth opportunities for many Hankins Consulting customers.
A Culture of Excellence
Driving these results is a deeply experienced team committed to client success. Most team members have been with the company for 15 to 20 years, some returning to Hankin’s after time in AmeriPath and Quest. With backgrounds spanning histology, clinical lab, medical device manufacturing, laboratory design, commercial, RCM, and lab operations leadership, the team brings a rare depth of expertise to every project.
For Hankins, the criterion for joining the team is clear: “Nobody’s allowed on the bus unless they have a get-it-done attitude.”
This culture of excellence gives Hankins Consulting a rare ability to navigate the complex challenges of lab development and management. The company’s philosophy is simple: under promise, overdeliver. By staying ahead of evolving trends in pathology and diagnostics, they ensure their clients are equipped for whatever comes next.
In a world where scientific progress moves at lightning speed, having the right infrastructure and team makes all the difference. With decades of experience, a relentless team and a proven track record of delivering measurable results, Hankins Consulting ensures that every lab they touch is built to lead.
After all, no race is won by the engine alone, and no scientific discovery thrives without the right infrastructure and strategy. From laying the foundation to fine-tuning operations and pushing for peak performance, Hankins Consulting is the trusted pit crew in the fast-paced medical and life sciences world.
Choosing a Pathology Lab Build Out Partner
Executives evaluating pathology lab design and build-out services are making decisions that extend far beyond construction alone. A poorly planned laboratory may satisfy inspection requirements while still creating operational problems that slow specimen flow, increase staffing strain, complicate quality control or restrict future testing expansion. The right partner must convert clinical objectives, projected specimen volume, testing complexity, compliance obligations and growth expectations into a laboratory that functions effectively as a long-term business asset from the first day of operation.
A strong engagement begins well before architectural plans are finalized. Laboratory space should be evaluated according to current workflows and future growth projections rather than simple square footage. Pathology, molecular diagnostics, toxicology and clinical testing all create different demands for layout, storage, ventilation, waste handling, lighting, equipment placement and staff movement. Executives should be cautious of providers that approach laboratory projects primarily as construction or real estate exercises. Effective design starts with understanding how specimens are received, processed, analyzed, reported and archived because every later operational decision depends on that workflow foundation.
Compliance expertise is equally important. Pathology laboratories must satisfy multiple layers of requirements involving licensing, accreditation, employee safety, fire protection, chemical management and biological waste handling. Poorly coordinated planning can result in redesigns after permitting, delayed openings or unnecessary cost increases that stronger early planning could have prevented. Decision-makers should expect partners to understand how local permitting, architectural and engineering coordination, CLIA preparation, CAP readiness, OSHA signage, EPA requirements and NFPA-related design considerations influence the final environment. The strongest projects integrate compliance into the laboratory design from the outset rather than treating it as a final-stage addition.
Procurement planning and operational readiness also distinguish specialized providers from general contractors. Laboratory furniture, instrumentation, information systems, staffing, procedures and inspection preparation all depend on tightly coordinated timelines. Modular furniture installation, equipment setup and LIS configuration must align with construction progress, while personnel training must occur before operational launch rather than after delays emerge. A capable build-out partner should provide executives with a clear operational roadmap spanning site selection, lease evaluation, floor planning, permitting, construction oversight, equipment integration, procedure development and final handoff. That roadmap should also account for whether the organization intends to operate independently or retain external management support during the early operational phase.
Cost control should also be evaluated beyond the initial construction budget. A laboratory designed without consideration for turnaround time, staffing efficiency, supply utilization and reimbursement realities can become expensive to operate after opening. Executives should prioritize partners that understand pathology economics at the specimen level and can connect design decisions to long-term operational performance. The most valuable outcome is not simply a completed facility, but a laboratory capable of sustaining predictable throughput, consistent quality and disciplined operating costs under real clinical demand.
For organizations seeking a specialized pathology lab design and build-out partner, Hankins Consulting represents a strong choice. The company designs custom pathology laboratories based on space requirements, budget, testing type, current workload and projected growth, while also supporting implementation through modular furniture, equipment procurement, medical supplies, staff recruiting, SOP development, policy creation, regulatory signage and inspection assistance. Hankins Consulting also provides licensing and accreditation support, LIS setup and the option for ongoing laboratory management involvement after launch. That combination positions the company as a credible choice for executives who need laboratories designed for compliance, operational workflow and long-term business control.
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Pathology Lab Design and Build Out Services Info
Q1
What has positioned Hankins Consulting among Top Pathology Lab Design and Build Out Services providers?
Specialized laboratory planning expertise and a strong understanding of clinical workflow requirements have helped Hankins Consulting gain recognition among Top Pathology Lab Design and Build Out Services providers. The company focuses on designing and developing pathology laboratory environments that support efficiency, regulatory readiness and optimized space utilization. Its work combines laboratory consulting, facility planning and operational insight to help healthcare organizations create functional pathology environments. This integrated approach has strengthened Hankins Consulting’s position within pathology lab design and build out services.
Q2
How does Hankins Consulting differentiate its laboratory planning approach?
Hankins Consulting emphasizes workflow-centered laboratory design tailored to the operational demands of pathology facilities. Instead of approaching projects as standard construction initiatives, the company structures its pathology lab design and build out services around laboratory functionality, equipment integration and long-term operational performance. Its planning process considers specimen flow, staff movement, compliance requirements and future scalability to support more efficient laboratory operations. This focus on practical laboratory performance gives Hankins Consulting a differentiated presence within pathology lab design and build out services.
Q3
How does the company support pathology laboratory efficiency?
Efficient pathology operations depend on thoughtful laboratory layouts, coordinated infrastructure and effective workflow management. Hankins Consulting supports pathology lab design and build out services through consulting and planning solutions designed to improve operational productivity and laboratory usability. Its projects help healthcare organizations align laboratory environments with diagnostic workflows, equipment needs and regulatory standards. By supporting organized and efficient pathology spaces, the company contributes to improved laboratory performance and day-to-day operational reliability.
Q4
What role does technical expertise play in Hankins Consulting’s services?
Laboratory development requires specialized knowledge that extends beyond conventional facility planning. Hankins Consulting applies laboratory consulting expertise, pathology workflow understanding and infrastructure planning experience to strengthen pathology lab design and build out services across healthcare environments. Its familiarity with laboratory operations helps ensure that facility designs support both technical functionality and long-term adaptability. This expertise-driven approach enables the company to address the growing complexity of modern pathology laboratory requirements.
Q5
How do pathology lab design and build out services create value through Hankins Consulting?
Laboratory value depends on operational efficiency, functional design and infrastructure reliability. Hankins Consulting delivers pathology lab design and build out services that help organizations improve workflow coordination, optimize laboratory space and support better utilization of pathology resources. Its consulting approach also contributes to smoother project execution and more practical laboratory environments designed around real operational needs. This balance between technical planning and laboratory functionality increases the long-term value of the company’s services.
Q6
Why is Hankins Consulting relevant to the future of pathology laboratory development?
Healthcare laboratories continue to evolve alongside growing diagnostic demands, technological advancement and stricter operational standards. Hankins Consulting contributes to this changing landscape through pathology lab design and build out services focused on workflow efficiency, laboratory functionality and adaptable facility planning. Its emphasis on operationally driven laboratory environments aligns with industry priorities surrounding diagnostic performance and healthcare infrastructure modernization. As pathology laboratories become increasingly sophisticated, the company remains relevant to the future of laboratory planning and development.
