May 22, 2002
Edson earns prestigious MSU award
College of Natural Science names local resident Alumnus of the Year
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
"Chance favors the prepared mind."
Reflecting on his career and educational choices of the past decades, Dan Edson notes a common theme: willingness to jump into the unknown. Like this quote he remembers from a Louis Pasteur biography he read years ago, Edson has kept himself open to success by being ready, willing and able to both work hard and take risks.
"Success is not an accident, it is hard work and sometimes it means just being prepared," Edson said.
The recent recipient of the Alumnus of the Year award from Michigan State University's College of Natural Science, Edson's forays into uncharted territory have reaped many rewards: developing the first screening test for Legionnaire's Disease, co-founding a highly-successful and nationally-recognized company, working daily with dedicated and innovative employees and contributing to his community.
Edson was recognized for his achievements at an awards ceremony held April 11 at Michigan State University. He recalled feeling humbled to be surrounded by so many high achievers and notables in the natural sciences and yet be the person receiving the honor.
"I got up and said, 'I think you've got the wrong guy,'" said Edson, a Mancelona native and former high school basketball star.
Completing his master's degree in 1979 was Edson's second visit to Michigan State. He initially enrolled as a 17-year-old freshman in 1969 but was overwhelmed by the huge university and transferred to Central Michigan University his sophomore year. After graduating from that school with a bachelor of science degree in Medical Technology, he completed a one-year internship at Munson Medical Center's school of medical technology.
A few years later, Edson and his wife, Debbie, decided to leave their comfortable home and jobs in Charlevoix, her hometown, so he could return to school.
"After a while, I knew I wanted something more, to do something different," said Edson, who also worked at the former Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital. "This was sort of the start of believing in myself and being willing to take risks."
Edson's interest in microbiology and infectious diseases led to the development of an antibody screening test for Legionnaire's Disease. Edson said it was uncanny how it all came about: networking with a doctor friend at Sparrow Hospital, who offered him a part-time job there, the interest in this deadly disease at a national level and his discovery that the disease correlated to summer months.
"It got invited to present my information to the CDC, I was the only non-doctor there," he said. "Later this helped point to the bacteria growing in air conditioning units."
In 1980, Edson and his family moved to Traverse City where he began work with the College of American Pathologists, a national company that had a data center in Traverse City. This company provided proficiency testing for hospitals' laboratory facilities.
When that company closed the Traverse City facility in 1990, Edson declined to move with them to Chicago. Instead, he and a coworker, Leith Butler, founded American Proficiency Institute in their living rooms the next year. Edson decided to become an entrepreneur even though he also had job offers from doctor friends at the Rochester Clinic and the Mayo Clinic.
"We had the idea of servicing doctors' offices for laboratory proficiency testing," recalled Edson, who in his career has written more than 20 articles on laboratory science and changing procedures. "We had different ideas about samples, service and technique. We each worked a second job for a while as the company grew."
From 400 clients in 1993, the company jumped to 4,000 the next year after a federal law requiring proficiency testing at doctor's offices. Now API offers testing to just under 11,000 doctor's offices nationwide and has pioneered a liquid testing method more usable by these small laboratories.
Edson's office at American Proficiency Institute reflects his personality. One wall is lined with sports memorabilia, including a collection of his grandfather's antique fishing lures, while another features four inspirational photos. Dubbed his genius wall, he can look up to see Albert Einstein, John Lennon or Paul McCartney anytime during his day.
"There's so much in business that's impersonal, the bottom line," he said. "We've shown we can be successful and still be authentic."
Edson also shares his commitment to and love of science with the next generation. For the past three years he has underwritten a life science unit that is presented to all sixth-grade students in Traverse City Area Public Schools, about 800 students a year.
"If not for Dan, we would have had an old and insufficient program," said Eric Dreier, K-12 science coordinator for the district. "We do have other underwriters now but he has been a key guy to helping me find other science-related businesses. Basically, we would not be able to teach this unit without his generosity."