Jackson Healthcare, the third-largest U.S. healthcare staffing firm, acquired Tyler & Company, a national firm that recruits healthcare executives for organizations including hospitals, health systems, physician group practices and academic medical centers.

Tyler & Company officially joined Jackson Healthcare on Dec. 1; terms were not announced. Tyler & Company will continue as an independently run firm.

J. Larry Tyler will remain chairman and CEO, and Dennis Kain will remain president.

Jackson Healthcare Chairman and CEO Richard Jackson’s business relationship with Tyler began in the 1970s, when they both worked for Coker & Associates. In 1978, Jackson purchased Coker’s physician search division and Tyler purchased its executive search division.

“We are able to offer Tyler & Company a platform for growth that will significantly expand their influence in our industry,” said Jackson.

Tyler & Company specializes in healthcare executive search, succession planning, board governance and executive coaching. Headquartered in Atlanta, it also has offices in Pennsylvania, Texas and North Carolina.

“The associates of Tyler & Company are extremely happy to be partnering with Jackson Healthcare,” said Tyler. “We are looking forward to expanding our search practice with the resources that Jackson Healthcare can provide, as well as helping Jackson Healthcare extend its service offerings.”