This afternoon, more than 300 executives gathered at the Nashville Health Care Council’s annual “Financing the Deal” discussion to hear firsthand perspectives from financial experts on the state of the market, M&A activity, and the outlook for funding the growth of Nashville’s $73 billion health care industry.
The panel was moderated by Tom Wylly, senior partner, Brentwood Capital Advisors, and included Steven Eaton, managing director, EDG Partners; Anna Haghgooie, managing director, health care, Sandbox Industries; Toby King, managing director, global health care group, Citi Corporate and Investment Banking; and Mohamad H. Makhzoumi, partner and head of health care services, New Enterprise Associates.
Click here to view event photos online.
Photo credit: Donn Jones Photography
Topics central to the discussion were recent M&A activity, joint ventures, and other developing partnerships, which remain a focus as hospitals and health systems face increasing pressure to reduce costs, demonstrate value, and improve patient engagement and experience.
“Pressure to demonstrate value on the one hand and pressure to innovate on the other has resulted in a marked increase in partnerships between entrepreneurs and large companies,” Haghgooie said. “It is an exciting time to be in health care, as the fear of not changing has finally eclipsed the fear of change.”
The panelists noted the push toward a more consumer-centric delivery system, causing industry trends such as care coordination, mobile health and analytics of big data.
“Employers are shifting more financial responsibility to the workforce, and that’s prompting consumers to become more involved in decisions around their care and their coverage,” King said. “Organizations that focus on the patient experience show real promise.”
“The onset of bundled payments and the shift to fee-for-value has placed a renewed emphasis on care coordination and medical cost management,” Makhzoumi said. “Having seen this revolution coming for some time, our team at NEA is focusing on partnering with businesses that connect the care continuum through the most efficient solutions.”
Panel members noted Nashville’s significant concentration of health care companies, and the benefits of collaboration within the industry through the city’s network. Nashville is home to more than 400 health care companies and 18 publicly traded health care company headquarters.
“Nashville is the epicenter of health care innovation, and entrepreneurs around the country should look to this city to build the kinds of partnerships needed to create meaningful change,” Eaton said.
“Nashville is one-of-a-kind. No other city has the resources, capital and expertise to develop solutions to move the industry forward,” Wylly said.
Today’s program was presented by Baker Donelson. Supporting sponsors were The Buffkin Group, Council Capital, ESa and LBMC.
About the Nashville Health Care Council
The Nashville Health Care Council is a premier association of health care industry leaders working together to further establish Nashville’s position as the nation’s health care industry capital. Supported by nearly 300 corporate members, including local and national health care companies, the Council serves as a trusted source for information on trends that influence the health care industry. The organization provides members with one-of-a-kind networking opportunities and access to Nashville’s elite health care business community.
Worldwide, Nashville’s health care industry generates more than 500,000 jobs and $73 billion in annual revenue. The industry is Nashville’s largest and fastest-growing employer. For more information on the Council, please visit www.healthcarecouncil.com.
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CONTACT: Valerie Somerville
Nashville Health Care Council
vsomerville@healthcarecouncil.com
615-743-3144