Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1479222
79 GASTROENTEROLOGY Gastro Health vs. GI Alliance vs. PE GI Solutions: An update on GI's biggest players By Paige Haeffele Gastro Health, GI Alliance and PE GI Solutions are three of the largest private equity-backed gastroenterology groups in the industry. Here's a breakdown of some of the must-know gastroenterology front runners: 1. Affiliated physicians Gastro Health: 370+ GI Alliance: 660+ PE GI Solutions: 600+ 2. Locations Gastro Health: 145+ GI Alliance: 400+ PE GI Solutions: 90+ 3. Leaders Gastro Health: CEO: Joseph Garcia CFO: Lawrence Freni COO: Alan Olive GI Alliance: CEO & founder: James Weber, MD 13-member physician executive leadership board PE GI Solutions: Chairman & founder: Barry Tanner CEO: David Young CFO: Christina Morrison 4. Headquarters Gastro Health: Miami GI Alliance: Southlake, Texas PE GI Solutions: Jamison, Pa. 5. Private equity backer Gastro Health: Omers GI Alliance: Waud Capital PE GI Solutions: Kelso n GI Alliance lands $785M private equity investment By Riz Hatton Southlake, Texas-based GI Alliance has received a $785 million investment from private equity firm Apollo Global Management, Bloomberg reported Aug. 19. Apollo agreed to take a stake in GI Alliance as part of a physician-led buyout valuing the company at $2.2 billion, according to the report. Physician owners from GI Alliance agreed to buy back a minority equity stake of about 30 percent from Waud Capital Partners, the practice's private equity investor, according to the report. The deal gives GI Alliance and its physicians more autonomy over the practice, Bloomberg reported. "We were majority owned but we weren't in majority control," GI Alliance CEO Jim Weber told Bloomberg. "That was something that we missed and wanted back." As part of the transaction, Apollo will receive two seats on the GI Alliance board. n '#Guttok': How social media is making gastroenterology more accessible By Paige Haeffele T ikTok content creators are using the app to share information on gut health conditions, treatment tips and personal experiences, CNBC's millennial- focused website Make It, reported Aug. 1. TikTok users are searching hashtags, including #guttok, #guthealth and #guthealing to learn about gut health and treatment solutions. However, not all of the content is accurate, according to the website. Not every content creator shares accurate advice from gastroenterology specialists. The surge in consumer interest on how to improve gut health has spurred innovation within the gastroenterology industry. Thorne, a wellness company, created an easier way for patients to test their gut health, instead of requiring complex collection processes, which appeals to TikTok users looking for gut health analysis and information, the website reported. The increased ease of access to information and other's experience with gastrointestinal issues is helping TikTok users connect to those with similar experiences and easily find ways to ease their own chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. n