Marshall Welcomes Healthcare Firm To Innovation Hub

Marshall University has announced a new addition to its IDEA District, welcoming Canada-based radiology firm Synthesis Health to the six-block innovation and research hub in downtown Huntington. 

The company said in a press conference Friday it will work with Marshall on workforce development, research and other opportunities to connect the firm’s innovation efforts with the university’s academic and research capabilities. 

“Radiology plays a central role in clinical decision-making, but access to advanced imaging expertise and technology can be particularly challenging in rural communities,” Synthesis Health CEO Murray Reicher said. “Our goal is to develop practical technologies that help close those gaps while creating tools that can benefit radiology practices and health systems of all sizes.” 

The new venture aims to improve diagnostic care in rural and underserved communities while developing technologies that can be used across the United States and global healthcare markets. 

By combining artificial intelligence and medical imaging with Marshall’s academic, research and healthcare expertise, the partnership is expected to help address some of the challenges facing rural health systems, including limited access to specialized care. 

“This is exactly the kind of opportunity the Idea District was created to attract — companies that are solving important problems while creating a platform for even greater innovation,” Marshall University President Brad D. Smith said.  

Smith said he expects the partnership with Synthesis “to serve as a springboard for additional companies that can build on the work being done here and create new solutions of their own.”  

Synthesis is actively recruiting employees in the Huntington region and plans to move into the future Med-Tech building once fully staffed. It’s expected construction on the facility will begin in Summer 2027.