ARUP Laboratories

ARUP Laboratories
Name	ARUP Laboratories
Founded	0 1984
Founder	John A. Dixon
Location	Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Industry	Clinical Laboratory
Services	Reference Laboratory Services
Parent	University of Utah
Website	https://www.aruplab.com

ARUP Laboratories is a national reference laboratory and a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah. Founded in 1984, it provides extensive laboratory testing services to hospitals, health systems, and clinics across the United States. ARUP is known for its expertise in esoteric testing, supporting complex diagnoses in areas like genetics, infectious disease, and toxicology.

History

ARUP Laboratories was established in 1984 by pathologist John A. Dixon, then chair of the Department of Pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The creation was driven by a need to consolidate the university's disparate clinical laboratories into a single, efficient entity that could also serve as a national resource. The name "ARUP" is an acronym for "Associated Regional and University Pathologists," reflecting its founding mission. A key early partnership was with Intermountain Healthcare, which helped establish its regional footprint. Over subsequent decades, it expanded its test menu and client base significantly, moving into a large, state-of-the-art facility in Salt Lake City to support its growth into a leading national reference laboratory.

Services and Specialties

ARUP offers a comprehensive test menu exceeding 3,000 assays, serving as a core reference laboratory for many hospitals and health systems. Major service lines include advanced molecular diagnostics for oncology and hereditary conditions, comprehensive infectious disease testing including for HIV and hepatitis, and specialized toxicology and therapeutic drug monitoring. The laboratory is a leader in anatomic pathology, particularly cytogenetics and flow cytometry. It also provides critical public health testing, such as newborn screening follow-up and monitoring for heavy metals, in collaboration with agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Research and Development

Research at ARUP is deeply integrated with the academic mission of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology. Scientists and pathologists engage in translational research to discover and validate novel biomarkers and develop new diagnostic assays. Key areas of focus include genomics, proteomics, and personalized medicine. This work is often conducted in partnership with entities like the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology. Discoveries frequently transition from the research bench into the clinical laboratory, enhancing the esoteric test menu. The laboratory also contributes to national standards through collaborations with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.

Affiliations and Partnerships

As a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah, ARUP's primary academic affiliation is with the University of Utah School of Medicine and its Department of Pathology. It maintains a strategic alliance with Intermountain Healthcare, one of the nation's largest health systems. ARUP serves as the primary reference laboratory for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and supports numerous children's hospitals and university hospitals nationally. It is also a member of the Mayo Medical Laboratories network for certain test referrals and collaborates with global organizations like the World Health Organization on specific projects.

Leadership and Governance

ARUP Laboratories operates under the governance of the University of Utah Board of Trustees. Day-to-day executive leadership is provided by a CEO and a senior management team, which typically includes individuals with backgrounds in pathology, laboratory medicine, and healthcare administration. The Medical Director and scientific leadership are often faculty members within the University of Utah School of Medicine. This structure ensures tight integration of clinical service, academic training for residents and fellows, and research missions, aligning with the institution's nonprofit, academic goals.

Impact and Recognition

ARUP Laboratories is recognized as one of the largest and most academically respected reference laboratories in the United States. Its impact is measured by its support of complex patient care for millions annually across thousands of hospitals and its role in advancing the field of laboratory medicine. The laboratory is consistently ranked highly in surveys by CLIA and receives accolades for its innovative test development. Its commitment to quality is demonstrated by accreditations from the College of American Pathologists and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certification. Through its partnership with the University of Utah, it plays a vital role in educating the next generation of pathologists and laboratory scientists.

Category:Medical and health organizations based in Utah Category:University of Utah Category:Medical laboratories in the United States