Emergency Medicine Physicians and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe Announce Formation of US Acute Care Solutions
Press Release
Oct 19, 2015
Unique partnership provides a new model for a national physician-led emergency medicine and hospitalist provider
Emergency Medicine Physicians (“EMP”), one of the nation’s largest emergency medicine providers, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (“WCAS”), a leading healthcare investment firm, today announced the establishment of US Acute Care Solutions (“USACS”). USACS will be majority-owned by physicians and is focused on building a national leader in emergency medicine and hospitalist services. EMP’s Medical Group and practice management operations will become the foundation for USACS.
“The creation of US Acute Care Solutions puts physician ownership front and center in a unique partnership with strong operational capabilities and an experienced capital partner in WCAS,” said Dominic Bagnoli, MD, chief executive officer, EMP and USACS. “This new company provides us with a great opportunity to grow our practice and strengthen our values of high quality patient care and physician ownership. Our new partner, WCAS, embraces those values, and has a proven track record of partnering with physicians and major integrated delivery systems to build market leaders, like they’ve done with US Anesthesia Partners, United Surgical Partners, US Oncology and many others.”
Founded in 1992, EMP is one of the largest physician-owned emergency medicine practices in the country, with more than 800 doctors and 300 advanced practice providers. EMP provides high quality emergency care to over 2.7 million patients each year at 64 hospitals in 15 states, and is aligned with leading hospital systems across the country. Its innovative PhysicianFirst emergency room management system demonstrably shortens “door to doctor” times, reduces left without being seen rates and improves patient satisfaction. EMP also supports its clinicians with meaningful continuing education and training, like its Patient Satisfaction Academy, and develops its next generation of physician leaders with its Scholars program.
“EMP really fits all of our criteria for a partner,” said Brian Regan, General Partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. “Their providers consistently deliver great care in emergency departments across the country, and their doctors are highly engaged as partners and owners. They’re innovators and have reinvested in their profession and their business. Historically, independent emergency medicine groups had only two strategic alternatives: sell their practice or face a challenging healthcare environment alone. USACS will offer practices and hospital systems a third option, which is to partner with a company led by physicians but with the resources, business support and capital of a substantial enterprise.”
“Patient-centered care is the foundation of our culture and therefore our business,” said Peter Hudson, MD, Board Chairman of EMP and US Acute Care Solutions. “It’s not only good for the practice and patients, it’s foundational to our specialty, and why emergency physicians have such a strong belief in service and physician ownership. US Acute Care Solutions ensures this culture will flourish, and like-minded approaches of caring for patients will continue to have a viable practice option in the marketplace.”
The partnership agreement, which was approved by EMP’s Board of Directors and shareholders, is expected to close in second quarter of this year. Ulmer & Berne LLP is serving as legal counsel to EMP. Ropes & Gray LLP and Alston & Bird LLP are serving as legal counsel to WCAS.
Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMP Holdings Ltd.),
Established in 1992, Emergency Medicine Physicians is one of the leading providers of emergency medical services in the nation. EMP was founded by practicing emergency medicine physicians, who had a vision for creating a better way to deliver emergency medicine care with physicians as owners. The group has achieved this vision by focusing on core values that create a culture where patients, physicians and hospital partners thrive.
About Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe focuses its investment activity in two target industries: healthcare and information/business services. Since its founding in 1979, the Firm has organized 16 limited partnerships with total capital of over $21 billion. WCAS has invested $7 billion in 79 healthcare companies, including many leading healthcare providers. WCAS's strategy is to partner with outstanding management teams and build value for the Firm's investors through a combination of operational improvements, internal growth initiatives and strategic acquisitions. See www.welshcarson.com to learn more.
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Press Release
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US Acute Care Solutions Expands Partnership with Inova Health System to Include Comprehensive Emergency Medicine Services at Inova Fairfax Medical Center
CANTON, Ohio, January 31, 2024 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned and led acute care practice, is honored to announce the expansion of its partnership with Inova Health System to include four additional programs. Effective January 1, 2024, USACS welcomed the existing emergency medicine physicians and advanced practice providers from the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC), which includes the adult emergency department at Inova Fairfax Hospital and the Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department. The IFMC Emergency Department is the fourth busiest ED in the country, seeing 174,000 patients last year. The expanded partnership will also include two freestanding emergency departments: Inova Emergency Care Center – Fairfax City Inova Emergency Care Center – Reston This is an expansion of a partnership that began 23 years ago when Emergency Medicine Associates, one of the 20 physician groups that have since joined USACS, began providing emergency medicine services to Inova Alexandria Hospital. This evolution is testament to Inova and USACS’ shared vision of delivering the best patient care to Northern Virginia, the Washington DC metro area and beyond. Martin Brown, MD, FACEP, President of the USACS East Division and former Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Inova Alexandria, expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, stating, "Our decades-long history with Inova Health System has always been rooted in the shared value of delivering exceptional patient care. This expanded partnership is a powerful testament to our joint commitment to serve the Northern Virginia and the greater Washington D.C. area with the best emergency medical services available. We look forward to working collaboratively with the very talented Inova team of physicians and advanced practice providers." The partnership follows a rigorous and competitive selection process aimed at sustaining and enhancing the excellence for which Inova Health System is renowned. Notably, Inova Fairfax, a tertiary care center, is Northern Virginia’s only Level I Trauma Center and Virginia's busiest ED. The pediatric ED is one of the largest in the country. The hospital is ranked #1 in the state according to US News, classified as a Magnet Designation for nursing excellence, and has received an 'A' safety rating from Leapfrog. These recognitions speak volumes about the quality of patient care provided and align seamlessly with USACS' commitment to clinical excellence. Erin Hodson, Vice President Administrator, Inova Medicine Service Line, added, “We look forward to the strategic expansion of our relationship with USACS, a partner who understands our model and is committed to our existing, high-caliber physicians and advanced practice providers. USACS has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing the highest-quality medical care to our shared patients in this community.” About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 10 million patients annually across more than 500 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. About Inova We areInova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers and outpatient services, Inova cares for more than one million patients annually, delivering the bestclinical care and a seamless experience. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care ismade possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 22,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcareto every person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Jan 8, 2024
US Acute Care Solutions Names David Peppard as Chief Information Officer
CANTON, Ohio, January 8, 2024 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS), the nation’s largest physician-owned provider of hospital-based emergency and inpatient medicine, announced today that it has named David Peppard as Chief Information Officer. Most recently, Mr. Peppard served as Chief Technology Officer for SuperCare Health, an industry-leading chronic care management company specializing in post-acute, in-home respiratory care. In this role, he delivered expert guidance and implemented innovative practices to optimize the patient journey. Previously, Mr. Peppard served as both the Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer for a USACS legacy company for 11 years, then served as the Senior Vice President of Technology for USACS as the organization was established in 2015. Mr. Peppard’s history with our group and focus on enhancing existing systems to perform efficiently mark him as the ideal fit for this role within the organization. Chris Hummer, USACS Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are fortunate to have David back in the USACS family as he brings a breadth of industry expertise and holds an established, well-respected presence within our organization. David’s commitment to patient care and forward-thinking tactics are exactly what the organization needs to continue paving a path to success." “I am eager to be back at USACS working with so many familiar and talented colleagues," said Mr. Peppard. "I look forward to collaborating with the organization's leaders and making meaningful contributions to adapt to the industry's shifting dynamics successfully." Mr. Peppard earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University and graduated from Harvard Business School. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine and inpatient physicians across the country, USACS is solely owned by its physicians and hospital system partners. The group is a national leader in integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately ten million patients annually across more than 500 programs and is aligned with many of the leading health systems in the country. Visit usacs.com for more. Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]