Healthcare staffing firms Triage LLC and TaleMed LLC are merging in a deal that will create a travel nursing and allied healthcare staffing firm with more than $200 million in revenue.
The merger comes as Triage, based in Omaha, Nebraska, acquires TaleMed, based in Loveland, Ohio.
However, the deal stems from a partnership built on a long-standing relationship between Triage CEO John Maaske and TaleMed CEO Ken Tracy.
“Both companies have excelled and done really well,” Maaske said. “Together we just felt like we could do a lot more things.”
“John and I have known each other for quite some time,” Tracy said. “That mutual respect, I’ve got to say, was the core of this whole acquisition.”
Triage appeared on the 2019 Largest US Healthcare Staffing Firms list, while TaleMed has regularly appeared on SIA’s Best Staffing Firms to Work For list, including this year.
Both Triage and TaleMed will maintain their respective offices in Nebraska and Ohio and will continue to operate under their current brands. The companies plan to unify their brands and operational functions over time.
Maaske said the deal will enable the companies to serve customers better with its larger footprint.
Tracy said a key to success in the industry is the ability to identify the best talent and combining the companies will multiply their strength in finding the top clinicians.
The leadership team will also combine. Maaske will lead as CEO with Tracy serving as president. In addition, TaleMed’s current CFO, Dave Buffenbarger, will join the combined company as chief administrative officer. Triage’s current chief administrative officer, Jason Gilbreath, will take on the role of chief innovation officer. Mike Burke, Triage’s CFO, will continue in that role at the combined company; Emilie Wells, Triage’s chief marketing officer, will continue in her role as well.
Both firms were founded in 2006. Triage began with a focus on radiology staffing before expanding into other areas and was founded by Maaske and Tyler Pieper.
TaleMed was founded by Ken and Elizabeth Tracy. It predominantly staffs nursing specialties but also offers solutions in allied health.
“Our combined companies create something really special and sets us up for strong future growth,” Maaske said. “We believe there is no limit to what we will achieve together.”
