GTI Laboratories is a state-of-the-art diagnostic lab specializing in providing comprehensive toxicology and pharmacogenetic testing solutions. Founded in 2013 by Nick Glimcher, with full operations beginning in January of 2014, it has grown and expanded to operate in 49 states, excluding Alaska.
Top Doctor Magazine had the privilege of speaking with Nick Glimcher, Chief Executive Officer of GTI Laboratories, on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected GTI and its operations.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Nick Glimcher comes from an entrepreneurial family with many years of experience and success in developing shopping centers. Carrying on the family tradition, but deciding to do it independently, Nick moved to Arizona and started building shopping centers there. However, in 2008, with the market crash, the industry and Nick’s business inevitably took a swan dive. In an effort to reinvent himself, Nick started a payment company, which ultimately led to him buying his first healthcare asset – PrimeBody. After establishing PrimeBody, a telemedicine platform for hormone replacement therapy that operates in all 50 states, Nick Glimcher obtained a laboratory to service their hormone therapy patients’ blood work needs. In Nick’s own words, this initiative failed miserably. However, he had toxicology equipment and was quick to learn its benefits, resulting in the creation of Genetic Technological Innovations Laboratories.
Starting with toxicology panels, GTI Labs has now expanded to include testing panels such as UTI/STI, wound, GI, Upper Respiratory, and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). What makes them stand out on the PCR side of testing is a joint venture with Arkstone software. Through Arkstone, GTI Labs can generate individual treatment plans with every pathogen result. These individual treatment plans are then shared with the provider as an antimicrobial stewardship guide to reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescribing. This year they have been one of only three labs in the country that created and now offer a testing panel they are calling Med Management. This panel looks at diabetic medications, heart medications, Tylenol, and everyday medication maintenance for chronic care patients. Looking ahead, GTI Labs is planning on adding genetic sequencing as well as cardiac, pulmonary, and dementia/Alzheimer’s panels.
How has COVID-19 affected GTI Labs?
Like many, GTI Labs couldn’t have imagined how the pandemic would direct them or what type of influence it would have on everyday procedures. They were able to become COVID live in late March and, like every lab that transitioned to COVID-19 testing or was PCR capable, have seen tremendous volume spikes. However, increased volume spikes are not the only impact COVID has had on GTI Labs.
“[The pandemic] took us from being somewhat of a stepchild or a nuisance in the minds of providers, and it put us in the light for providers to recognize the importance of diagnostics. It has opened a tremendous number of doors for us, not only for infectious disease and COVID testing but also for our other product lines and modalities. We probably had a very limited position in the market prior, and now we have a far more sophisticated program and a larger base of clients. Clients that we will keep in a post-COVID climate,” said Nick Glimcher.
Additionally, because of the pandemic, GTI Labs went from doing a certain amount of tests and grew almost 10 times in a very short period of time. This understandably put a lot of stress on the organization and its team members. As a result, they had to come together as a group, working long hours, and weekends at times. Nick contributes their success and ability to grow to his employees understanding the importance of their work.
“The best thing for our company, outside of the financial benefits is that we came together as a group. Even though we have 30% more staff than we did a year ago, everyone is close, and we operate very much like a family-run company,” said Nick Glimcher, “This time will be in the history books, and [our team] will be on the front lines.”
Since GTI Labs has grown so much in both clients and staff, have you had to make many adjustments in your operations?
“We experienced a tremendous amount of change in the process. In laboratory, it is all about chain of custody… Who’s touching the specimen and how many times?” said Nick.
To keep up with the volume and make sure no errors were made, GTI Labs had to really cut down on the number of individuals involved in the chain of custody. Additionally, they moved their billing department in Arizona directly inside the lab to enable more effective communication when volumes were extremely high.
When asked what kind of effects these changes in the process had on the Lab and team members, Nick said: “At the time, it was stressful because you know you are dealing with something that is life and death. We have to get it done right and timely. It was a tremendous amount of pressure, but I’m incredibly proud of my team.”
What is GTI Lab’s biggest concern for 2021?
Like many operating in the medical industry, one of GTI Lab’s main concerns for the next few months and the new year is having enough supplies. While manufacturers are doing their best to keep up with demand, there is still a lot of uncertainty related to the extent of COVID and how a vaccine roll-out will impact things.
“Keeping supplies in house for timeliness and making sure that we’re in the know and understand what’s going on with COVID so that we’re not over or understaffed are our concerns for 2021,” said Nick.
Looking ahead, what, in your opinion, is the ultimate solution for COVID and dealing with the pandemic?
As success continues to be reported from the various vaccine trials taking place, there is a feeling of growing hope among the medical community and civilian population alike. However, Nick Glimcher and GTI Labs are also aware that a vaccine, while needed and extremely important, may not be the answer to eradicate the COVID-19 virus entirely.
“In my personal opinion, I don’t think that any vaccine is going to eradicate the COVID virus. We’ve had a flu vaccine for 50 years, and the flu is still here. I think that the COVID virus is one that mutates and changes over time, and just like any virus, [we] will see it adapt to antibiotics, [we] will see it adapt to vaccines. We’re going to do great things as it relates to limiting exposure and limiting how deadly it can be to vulnerable patients, but I don’t think eradicating it is going to happen,” said Nick when asked how he sees the vaccine affecting the pandemic in the United States.
That being said, Nick and GTI Labs are very optimistic about the progress being made in the vaccine trials. Additionally, they – like many others – are doing their part to follow the guidelines to keep people safe.
In Closing
GTI Laboratories is one of the many frontlines heroes that have been brought into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the hardships, trials, and confusion that this year has brought to the table, it is because of people like Nick and his team that the medical community is leading the charge back to national wellness.
