August 12, 2015 – Clayton, NC: FastMed Urgent Care, the fastest-growing urgent care organization in the U.S., announced today the appointment of Christopher M. Bird as National Chief Operating Officer.
“We are entering an exciting new phase in FastMed’s development as we focus on expanding our successful healthcare model into new communities and states,” said Kyle Bohannon, President and Chief Executive Officer of FastMed. “Chris is a highly qualified healthcare executive with significant experience leading privately held and publicly traded healthcare companies and managing large multi-site outpatient healthcare operations. He will be instrumental in driving growth and in continuing to ensure operational and clinical excellence throughout the organization.”
In this new role, Bird supports the operations teams, healthcare providers and clinical staff in Arizona and North Carolina, while leading the integration efforts in new markets as FastMed expands into new geographic regions. The operations, IT and acquisition integration teams will report to Bird, who will serve as a member of the senior leadership team and report directly to Bohannon.
“It is an exciting time to be joining FastMed,” said Bird. “We are not only a company poised for tremendous growth, but one that remains committed to delivering the highest quality of patient care and service. I look forward to working with the leadership team and healthcare professionals at FastMed to bring our high level of compassionate care to more communities across the U.S.”
Bird comes to FastMed from Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC), where he served as Chief Operating Officer for Phoenix Baptist Hospital and Arizona Heart Hospital. He was previously the CEO of ReachOut Healthcare America, the largest national provider of administrative support services to affiliated dentists in the mobile dental industry with operations in 24 states. He also served as President of RehabCare, the largest contract therapy services company in the U.S. with $1.3 billion in annual revenue and 20,000 employees throughout 2,000 hospitals and skilled nursing facilities spanning 46 states. Earlier in his career, Bird served as Vice President of Operations, Outpatient Services Division with Tenet Healthcare and as Western Divisional Vice President for DaVita HealthCare Partners (NYSE: DVA).
Bird earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University, an MPH with a Health Policy and Management concentration from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard University.
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About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is an owner and operator of urgent care facilities with locations throughout North Carolina and Arizona. FastMed focuses on the delivery of non-appointment based medicine to the non-emergency patient market. The urgent care centers are open 365 days a year and are staffed with experienced and licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. FastMed clinics hold The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation in compliance with the Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory health care. For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com. FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the ABRY Partners.
About ABRY Partners:
Founded in 1989, ABRY Partners is one of the most experienced and successful media, communications, business and information services focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding, ABRY has completed over $42 billion of transactions, representing investments in over 450 properties. The firm is currently managing over $4.3 billion of total capital and investing out of a $1.9 billion private equity fund, $950 million senior equity fund and a $1.5 billion senior debt fund.
Contact:
Reuel Heyden
Sr. Dir. of Communications | Marketing
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821×1016
Email: r.heyden@fastmed.com