EXTON, Pa. & GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amulet Capital Partners, LP, a healthcare private equity investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, today announced the formation of US Digestive Health, a practice management services organization established to support the expansion of leading gastroenterology care across the U.S. As part of the formation, US Digestive Health will provide the three largest GI practices in Pennsylvania, including Regional GI, Digestive Disease Associates, and Main Line Gastroenterology Associates, with business management and administrative resources, health system contacts and enhanced technology solutions.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Based in Exton, PA, the combined platform of the three practices will have 15 office locations, 7 Ambulatory Services Centers (ASCs) and 88 providers. Jerry Tillinger, an industry executive with 25 years of physician group management experience and CEO of a 300+ provider physician group, will serve as CEO of US Digestive Health. Dr. Scott Hayworth, CEO of Caremount Medical, a 600+ provider multi-specialty physician group based in NY, will serve as US Digestive Health’s non-executive Board Chairman.
Gastroenterology is the 2nd largest internal medicine sub-specialty and covers a wide away of highly prevalent disorders and diseases focused on the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum. Hepatology, a sub-sector of gastroenterology, focuses on diseases and disorders of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is currently the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. However, advances in colonoscopy-based CRC screening have been very effective in detecting this cancer early, leading to declines in incidence and mortality. The American Cancer Society recently lowered the recommended CRC screening age to 45 from 50, greatly expanding the addressable market for CRC Screening and Prevention services. In addition, growth in several common chronic GI disorders is expected to continue across all age groups, resulting in an increased need for GI disease management.
“I am excited to join US Digestive Health and build on the strong brand and loyal patient base the three practices currently have throughout eastern PA. In partnership with US Digestive Health, RGI, DDA and MLGA will have access to additional management resources, best in class technology, and health system relationships, enabling their physicians to focus on patient care,” said Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health. “Amulet’s expertise in healthcare services and collaborative approach to working with physicians, along with a strong management team, will result in a value-added partnership built for long-term success.”
Dr. Scott Hayworth, US Digestive Health‘s non-executive Chairman, commented, “I look forward to working with Amulet to execute on our growth strategy, while expanding our reach and services. As part of US Digestive Health each practice will have, as a combined entity, the unique opportunity to not only increase patient volumes and drive utilization, but also enable doctors to thrive in a value-based environment.”
“We are very pleased to form US Digestive Health and proud to work with Jerry and Scott to create a diversified platform with regional density and local market power, while taking part in a fragmented health system landscape,” said Ramsey Frank, Partner and Co-Founder of Amulet. “As we look to increase US Digestive Health’s footprint beyond Pennsylvania, we believe there will be considerable opportunities for both growth organically as well as through bringing on new medical practices across the country, while establishing exceptional administrative capabilities and supporting the practices in their delivery of high quality care.”
Amulet Capital Partners was advised by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton in the transaction.
About Amulet Capital Partners, LP
Amulet Capital Partners, LP is a healthcare private equity investment firm based in Greenwich, CT. Amulet seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation through privately negotiated investments in companies. Amulet Capital Partners focuses on those segments it believes have the most attractive long-term fundamentals with a target investment size generally between $25 million to $150 million. Amulet Capital Partners’ investment team has approximately 50 years of private equity experience. For additional information, please visit www.amuletcapital.com.
