In the competitive landscape of diagnostic medicine, Raleigh-based MAKO Medical Laboratories stands apart not only for its technological innovations but for its founder's unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility. Under CEO Chad Price's leadership, MAKO Medical has developed a dual-purpose business model that balances commercial success with substantial community impact—a strategy that's reshaping expectations for how biotech firms can contribute to their local ecosystems.
Social Responsibility as a Business Strategy
When Chad Price co-founded MAKO Medical in 2014, he established the company with two distinct objectives. "MAKO Medical Laboratories was created for two reasons," Price explains. "The first was to fill a current void in the healthcare space. The lab industry is dominated by two giants, and the market was hungry for a third option."
The second motivation, however, distinguished MAKO Medical from its competitors: "The second reason was to make an impact in the local markets through social responsibility and outreach. MAKO is privately held, which allows the company to use a significant portion of its profits to support local charities, nonprofits, military programs, and missionaries overseas."
This integration of social purpose into the company's foundational business model represents a departure from traditional corporate philanthropy, where giving is often an afterthought. At MAKO Medical, community impact isn't a peripheral initiative but a core component of the company's identity and operations.
Industry analysts note that this approach has yielded tangible benefits beyond altruism. MAKO Medical's community engagement has strengthened its brand reputation in the Raleigh area, fostered employee loyalty, and created valuable partnerships throughout North Carolina's healthcare ecosystem.
Creating Meaningful Careers for North Carolina's Veterans
Among MAKO Medical's most significant social initiatives is its veteran employment program. The company has reserved entire departments—particularly its logistics operations—exclusively for military veterans, creating tailored career pathways for former service members transitioning to civilian life.
"We donate to military organizations. We build houses for them on the weekends, and our staff volunteers. But we also wanted to create jobs, and the only way to do that is to carve out positions for veterans to say, 'Hey, these positions are going to be reserved for the veterans.' So that was one key thing that we wanted to do," Price notes.
This commitment stems partially from family connections—Chad's brother and co-founder, Adam Price, is a veteran himself. The company's dedication to veteran employment has earned MAKO Medical the prestigious HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor, recognizing its exemplary efforts to recruit, employ, and retain veterans.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond individual employment opportunities. MAKO Medical's veteran hiring practices have helped address the challenges many service members face when returning to civilian life. The company provides specialized training and development programs that leverage veterans' unique skills and experiences, creating a supportive work environment where former military personnel can thrive.
Currently, MAKO Medical's logistics team, staffed entirely by veterans, manages over 22,000 deliveries daily with a 99.9 percent pickup success rate—demonstrating how this social initiative simultaneously delivers business value.
Strategic Philanthropy in Raleigh and Beyond
MAKO Medical's philanthropic footprint spans across North Carolina, with particular emphasis on the Raleigh-Durham area. The company currently supports over 300 nonprofits and charities, directing significant financial resources toward organizations addressing healthcare access, education, and community development.
"Today, we support more than 300 nonprofits and charities, we only hire Military Veterans for our logistics team, we've donated more than 26 million dollars to charitable organizations, and we support more than 70 missionaries around the world," Price states.
The company's charitable giving isn't limited to financial contributions. MAKO Medical has forged strategic partnerships with local organizations to maximize impact. One example is its collaboration with Mission Triangle, which helps North Carolina nonprofits develop sustainable growth strategies. This partnership exemplifies MAKO Medical's approach to philanthropy—focusing not just on donations but on building nonprofit capacity.
Education remains a particular focus for MAKO Medical's local giving. The company has pledged significant support to the Vance County School Foundation, matching donations up to $10,000 to fund teacher grants and educational resources for North Carolina students. These investments in local education help strengthen the pipeline of future talent while addressing immediate community needs.
During holiday seasons, MAKO Medical partners with local media outlets like iHeartRadio's Erica DeLong to identify families in need throughout the Triangle region. In one campaign, the company donated $1,000 daily to deserving families—a direct form of community support that creates immediate impact for Raleigh-area residents facing financial challenges.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities Through Innovation
MAKO Medical's community impact extends beyond philanthropy to address fundamental healthcare disparities across North Carolina. The company has deployed mobile testing units that bring diagnostic services directly to underserved communities, particularly in rural areas where healthcare access remains limited.
"It's not about the price. Sometimes, it's about access to care," Price explains. "One of the biggest things that we're doing is mobile. So, if you take an area like West Virginia, the fact that I can drive to a school and perform services or I can go into a community. If you're a single mom and you have to take off work, well, you're now behind on your rent. So, I would say the bigger problem is not necessarily cost; it's access to care."
This initiative demonstrates how MAKO Medical has aligned its business innovation with social impact. By developing mobile testing capabilities, the company simultaneously expands its service reach while addressing a critical community need. For rural North Carolina communities, these mobile units eliminate transportation barriers that often prevent residents from accessing essential diagnostic services.
The company's commitment to healthcare equity reinforces its position as a socially responsible corporate citizen while also creating business opportunities in previously underserved markets—a strategy that business analysts identify as creating shared value.
Employee-Driven Community Engagement
Chad Price has cultivated a corporate culture at MAKO Medical where community service is embedded in the employee experience. Staff members regularly participate in volunteer activities throughout the Raleigh area, from building homes for veterans to supporting local food banks and community centers.
"We ate together, did Bible study together, volunteered together, and always encouraged families to be apart so they would support what we were trying to build," Price recalls of the company's early days, highlighting how community service has been integral to MAKO Medical's identity from its inception.
The company encourages employees to identify causes they're passionate about and provides support for their involvement. This bottom-up approach to corporate social responsibility ensures that MAKO Medical's community impact reflects the diverse interests and concerns of its workforce while creating meaningful engagement opportunities for staff.
A Vision for Expanding Social Impact
As MAKO Medical continues to grow—currently ranked as the 55th largest private company in North Carolina—Chad Price remains focused on scaling the company's social impact alongside its business operations.
Looking ahead, Price envisions expanding MAKO Medical's community footprint throughout North Carolina and beyond. Price emphasizes that commercial success enables greater social impact, with MAKO Medical's growth directly translating to expanded community support. Future initiatives include expanding the company's veteran hiring program, increasing support for healthcare access in rural communities, and developing new partnerships with educational institutions.
For North Carolina's business community, MAKO Medical provides a compelling case study in how companies can integrate social responsibility into their core business models. By demonstrating that corporate success and community impact can be mutually reinforcing, Chad Price has established a blueprint for responsible business leadership that other Raleigh-area companies are increasingly emulating.
Through this holistic approach to business and community engagement, MAKO Medical continues to advance dual objectives: revolutionizing diagnostic medicine while making tangible contributions to the communities it serves. For Chad Price, these goals aren't separate missions but complementary aspects of a single vision—a vision that's reshaping expectations for corporate leadership in North Carolina's biotech sector.
