The Defense Health Agency has picked Cerner to replace the Military Health System's anatomic pathology laboratory information system. The deal is separate from the big $11 billion Defense Healthcare Management Systems. Modernization contract that will be announced this summer.

[See also: DoD calls for best bids on EHR project]

Cerner CoPathPlus software offers lab workflow automation, management reporting and quality-assurance functions. For four years it's earned top honors from KLAS in the software and services category.

Whether this deal offers any hint into the DoD's thinking on the DHMSM contract remains to be seen, of course. But in the meantime, Cerner will issue CoPathPlus software licenses and implement server hardware, peripheral equipment and services throughout DoD pathology labs worldwide.

"We are proud to be the DoD’s anatomic pathology laboratory solutions provider of choice," said Travis Dalton, vice president, Cerner. "Having worked with the Military Health System for more than 20 years, we understand the value of providing the DoD with the best healthcare IT solutions possible."