Our Story
POCT Horizon Consulting was founded to address the growing need for specialized expertise in POCT as healthcare systems expand POCT into community, outpatient, and broader health system settings. Drawing from extensive hands-on experience in laboratory medicine and health policy, Megan recognized the challenges organizations face in ensuring high-quality, reliable POCT results amid rapid technological advancements, regulatory requirements, and increasing demand for decentralized testing.
The company provides practical, end-to-end support for POCT programs—including device selection and validation, compliance with accreditation standards, quality assurance frameworks, staff training and competency programs, integration with laboratory information systems, and capital procurement strategies. With a strong focus on patient safety and clinical reliability, POCT Horizon helps health systems, clinics, pharmacies, and other providers implement and optimize POCT solutions that support timely, accurate decision-making and improved patient care.
What sets POCT Horizon apart is Megan’s unique blend of clinical, operational, policy, and infrastructure experience. Having led complex projects in dynamic healthcare environments and contributed to provincial-level initiatives, she is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the complexities of POCT expansion while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
Our Logo
Rooted in the land and forward looking in vision, the logo tells a story of connection, strength, and innovation in POCT. It combines the enduring presence of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains with the natural flow of sweetgrass to reflect our commitment to practical, respectful, and forward thinking laboratory consulting. The horizon itself is central to the design. As the eye moves upward from the sweetgrass toward the mountain peaks and beyond, it captures our commitment to horizon scanning; strategically looking ahead for emerging technologies, new POCT solutions, and better ways to bring advanced diagnostics closer to every community.
Mountains: The Rocky Mountains near our home in Alberta represent strength, resilience, and the solid foundation required for high quality healthcare. The overlapping arrangement highlights collaboration, working together across communities and systems to deliver meaningful results.
Braided Sweet Grass: Beneath the mountains flows a graceful, soft sage green braided sweetgrass. It represents the smooth, nurturing flow of reliable care: accessible, respectful, and healing for all. Like sweetgrass that bends with the wind while staying deeply rooted, our practice adapts to real-world needs while remaining grounded in respect and community wellness.
About Megan
Megan Parrish is a seasoned healthcare leader and Point of Care Testing (POCT) specialist with over a decade of experience in clinical laboratory operations, quality management, and health systems improvement. As the founder of POCT Horizon Consulting and Senior Consultant in Capital & Infrastructure at Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), she brings deep expertise in POCT implementation, device management, procurement, and system-wide optimization.
Megan holds an MSc in Health Policy Research from the University of Alberta and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science. She maintains key certifications including MLS(ASCPi), MLT(CSMLS), and CPP (ADLM Point-of-Care Specialist), along with credentials in Prosci Change Management, Laboratory Operational Management, and Laboratory Quality Management. She currently serves as President of the CMLTA Council (2026).