Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1368676
68 GASTROENTEROLOGY GI Alliance's rise: How Dr. Jim Weber led the way By Eric Oliver D allas-based GI Alliance is the biggest private equity-backed gastroenterol- ogy platform in the U.S. GI Alliance, led by President Jim Weber, MD, has aggressively expanded since first closing its deal with Waud Capital Partners in November 2018. Here's how it got that way: November 2018: Waud Capital Partners and Southlake-based Texas Digestive Disease Consultants close a deal. ey establish the GI Alliance, a practice management company based in Dallas. Dr. Weber is the president and CEO of TDDC. July 2019: e GI Alliance enters into a deal with Evanston-based Illinois Gastroenterol- ogy Group, becoming the first established PE-backed GI platform to expand. August 2019: e GI Alliance invests in five ASCs owned by Texas Digestive Disease Con- sultants and Illinois Gastroenterology Group. September 2019: The GI Alliance con- tinues to rapidly grow, partnering with Beaumont-based Southeast Texas Gastro- enterology Associates. October 2019: e GI Alliance enters into a partnership with Phoenix-based Arizona Di- gestive Health, growing its affiliated network to more than 275 physicians in four states. Days later, the GI Alliance acquires San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates and San Antonio Digestive Disease Consultants, adding another 17 physicians to its network. November 2019: GI Alliance acquires India- napolis Gastroenterology and Hepatology, growing to a fih state. GI Alliance partners with Amarillo (Texas) Endoscopy Center. December 2019: GI Alliance acquires Little Rock-based GastroArkansas, marking the sixth state the gastroenterology services organization has expanded into. GI Alliance acquires Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates and South Plains Endos- copy Center, further expanding its presence in Texas. March 2020: GI Alliance acquires Gastroen- terology Consultants of San Antonio. July 2020: GI Alliance partners with Peoria- based Illinois Gastroenterology Institute. November 2020: GI Alliance partners with Hinsdale (Ill.) Gastroenterology Associates and Carl Calandra, DO. GI Alliance partners with Adult Gastroenter- ology Associates of Tulsa (Okla.), expanding into Oklahoma. December 2020: GI Alliance partners with Gastrointestinal Associates in Jackson, Miss., expanding into its eighth state post- formation. GI Alliance expands its Louisiana presence through the acquisition of Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates. January 2021: GI Alliance partners with Cleburne (Texas) Endoscopy Center, Oak Lawn, Ill.-based GI Associates of Chicago and Dallas-based Digestive Health Associ- ates of Texas. n Gastro Health expands into 6th state through acquisition By Eric Oliver M iami-based Gastro Health partnered with Diges- tive Disease Associates, growing its platform to a sixth state, it announced March 1. Founded in 1996, Digestive Disease Associates has two Maryland locations in Catonsville and Columbia. The partnership includes the group's endoscopy center and two infusion clinics. The practice has 15 gastroenterologists, two anesthesiolo- gists, two pathologists, three nurse practitioners and four CRNAs. Two of Digestive Disease Associates' leaders will hold leadership roles with Gastro Health. Kester Crosse, MD, will serve as Gastro Health's vice president of clinical af- fairs for Maryland, and Tim Lynch will serve as division vice president of Maryland. Joseph Garcia, Gastro Health CEO, said: "We are pleased to add the experienced team of GI specialists from DDA to the Gastro Health team. Their well-established impact on patient care coupled with successful physician leaders makes DDA a strong anchor in the Maryland market and a significant addition to our company as we continue to expand our footprint in the mid-Atlantic." Gastro Health has a presence in Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. It is backed by Audax Private Equity, which could be seeking a potential exit. n