Dec. 8, 2016

Cross Country Healthcare Inc. (NASD: CCRN) acquired US Resources Healthcare LLC, a recruitment process outsourcing business.The transaction closed Dec. 1; terms were not disclosed."In essence, we bought infrastructure and expertise to help us deliver better services and handle more volume," according to Cross Country. "We had built up an internal team but it was taking too long to be really productive and we wanted to accelerate the process.

Jackson Healthcare, an Atlanta-based healthcare staffing provider, named former Georgia state senator Preston Smith as president of Tyler & Company, a healthcare executive search firm that is part of Jackson Healthcare. Smith replaces founder Larry Tyler, who is retiring from the firm but will remain personally active in the healthcare industry.Smith comes to Jackson from ApolloMD, an Atlanta-based enterprise that serves 3.9 million patients through hospitals and physicians nationwide.

Trucept Inc. (OTC Pink: TREP), a professional employer organization that also provides healthcare staffing, announced CEO Brian Bonar is retiring. The company plans immediately to search for his replacement by Dec. 31.Bonar has served as chairman and CEO since June 2011, according to his LinkedIn profile.Separately, the company on Tuesday reported third-quarter net profit rose 23% from the second quarter to approximately $84,000.

Cejka Executive Search, the healthcare executive and physician search division of Cross Country Healthcare Inc. (NASD: CCRN), announced Mary D'Ignazio joined the firm as executive VP and managing principal, effective Sept. 19.D'Ignazio most recently was managing director for Diversified Search, a Philadelphia-based executive search firm.

Physicians appear to be divided regarding President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Dr. Tom Price, MD, for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a survey by Merritt Hawkins, the physician search division of AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE: AHS)."Many physicians have expressed deep dissatisfaction with today's medical practice environment, given its prevailing regulations and reimbursement restrictions," said Merritt Hawkins President Mark Smith.

All Star Recruiting, a provider of locum tenens and permanent healthcare staffing solutions, appointed Pat Kennedy as president, effective in November. This is a new position within the firm.Kennedy most recently was president of Weatherby Healthcare and group president of CHG Healthcare Services, Weatherby's parent company.