Houlihan Lokey Advises Travel Nurse Across America
Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA), a portfolio company of Gridiron Capital (Gridiron), has merged with TotalMed, a portfolio company of Stella Point Capital (Stella Point). This strategic merger combines two widely recognized players with leading offerings and unites two industry trailblazers, blending complementary capabilities, expertise, and resources to create an unparalleled offering for candidates and clients.
“We are excited to bring together the best of TotalMed and TNAA,” said Tim McKenzie, the CEO of the newly merged organization. “Our shared vision, values, and commitment to innovation will allow us to not only meet but exceed the expectations of the healthcare industry. This merger represents a transformative moment that positions us as a premier partner for healthcare talent and solutions.“
“We’re proud of the growth and strategic expansion that Tim and the TNAA team have executed on throughout our partnership and are very excited about this combination and what it means for the future,“ added Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron. “We believe these are highly complementary businesses with a shared vision and culture, and look forward to partnering with both the TotalMed and Stella Point teams for this next phase of growth.“
Adam Godfrey and Justin Wender, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of Stella Point, added: “We want to thank Sejal Shah and Jason Beck, Co-Founders of TotalMed, and the rest of the TotalMed team for positioning TotalMed for such a transformative combination. The cultural alignment between TotalMed and TNAA is a testament to all they have built over the past 20+ years.“
The merger combines the strengths of both organizations, significantly expanding the breadth of services available to clients and candidates. The newly formed company will offer:
- Travel Nursing and Allied Health Staffing: Continued dedication to matching healthcare professionals with travel opportunities across the country.
- Workforce Solutions (VMS/MSP): Combined expertise, technology, and talent to strengthen its ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and technology-enabled staffing solutions at scale to healthcare organizations nationwide.
- Shift Fulfillment Technology and Per Diem Staffing: Local, flexible staffing options to meet short-term needs powered by technology to support shift options for core staff and external float pools.
Locum Tenens: Enhanced capabilities in placing physicians and advanced practitioners in temporary roles. - Life Sciences Staffing: Expert talent solutions for life sciences organizations, including roles in research, development, and regulatory affairs.
- Health Plan Staffing: Specialized staffing for positions supporting health insurance and managed care organizations.
- Non-Clinical Hospital Roles: Staffing solutions for administrative, operational, and support roles critical to hospital success.
- Strike Staffing: Rapid deployment of qualified healthcare professionals to facilities during critical labor disruptions.
- Industry Support Resources: Increased support and continued focus on providing top-tier resources for the healthcare staffing industry through TravelNurse101, The Gypsy Nurse, and TravCon.
By leveraging the combined strengths of both companies, this merger creates a unified organization that prioritizes the needs of healthcare professionals and clients. Candidates will benefit from expanded career opportunities and tailored support, while clients will experience streamlined solutions that address every aspect of workforce management.
“This merger is about coming together to offer something greater than we could achieve independently,“ said Sejal Shah, CEO of TotalMed, who will serve on the board of the new combined entity. “We’re building an organization that is not just larger, but smarter and more capable, with a clear focus on delivering extraordinary value to everyone we serve.“
In connection with the transaction, TNAA’s MSP, SimpliFi, will be combining with TotalMed’s MSP, Staffency, bringing together two innovative, trusted providers of tech-enabled workforce management solutions. This transformative partnership unites the strengths of both organizations to deliver more agile, data-driven, and cost-effective workforce strategies to more than 2,200 care sites nationwide.
“The combination of SimpliFi and Staffency creates an MSP with a powerful value proposition to our customers and a growing suite of services across workforce solutions, empowered by our combined team and technology,“ said Andrew Kahn, Principal at Gridiron Capital.
The merger positions the combined company to drive innovation and growth within the healthcare staffing industry. With an expanded portfolio of services, a deep talent pool, and a shared commitment to operational excellence, the organization is well-equipped to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare landscape and beyond.
“Together, we are stronger, more agile, and better prepared to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry,“ said McKenzie. “Our clients and candidates can expect the same exceptional service they know and trust, now amplified by the combined strengths of two industry leaders.“
Ryan Hunter, Managing Director at Stella Point, added: “A combined TNAA and TotalMed will bring to bear a full suite of services and technology solutions, affording the team the ability to serve as a true strategic partner to all hospitals nationwide.“
Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor to TNAA in the transaction.
Houlihan Lokey’s Human Capital Management team is among the most active M&A advisors in the market, having closed 29 HCM transactions since 2021. This most recent transaction further strengthens Houlihan Lokey’s leadership in the business services universe and highlights continued momentum and leadership in the HCM sector, which includes staffing, recruitment, VMS, MSP, RPO, talent management, and PEO.
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