Covenant Surgical Partners names new Chief Executive Officer
Covenant Surgical Partners, one of the country’s leading physician services providers, announced today that Lew Little, Jr. has joined the company as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Lew has an extensive background in building healthcare services companies, including 11 years as CEO of Harden Healthcare, LLC. Prior to the sale of its businesses to Gentiva (2013) and Senior Care Centers (2015) Harden owned and operated senior care facilities in addition to providing related, ancillary health services including therapy, community health, home health and hospice. Under Lew’s leadership, Harden grew from a six-location, single-state skilled nursing home business to more than 200 facilities in 13 states and a “continuum of care” model generating revenues exceeding $800 million annually. During his impressive tenure at Harden, Lew built a multi-disciplined healthcare services company both organically and via acquisition – while developing and maintaining a strong operating and clinical culture. Mr. Little is actively involved as a board member and/or investor in several growing healthcare businesses including Franklin, TN-based Results Physiotherapy.
Keith Pennell, Managing Partner of DFW Capital Partners and Chairman of Covenant, said:
“Lew is joining Covenant at an exciting time in our development, as the company continues to rapidly expand its ASC and ancillary services footprint in the Gastroenterology and Ophthalmology markets. Covenant’s focus on building physician partnerships and a sustainable corporate platform to support future growth fits very well with Lew’s background and skill-set.”
Lew Little, Jr. further commented:
“I am delighted to begin my tenure with Covenant and help usher in yet another wave of growth and development for the company. Covenant, its Board of Directors, its leadership team and its employees share my vision and focus for a culture of clinical excellence, operating accountability and strategic growth. I look forward to working closely with all of the company’s stakeholders to continue Covenant’s growth trajectory and the creation of significant future value.”
Covenant also extends its sincere gratitude to Rick Jacques, Covenant’s founder and outgoing CEO. Since its founding in 2008, Rick’s vision for an integrated ASC / ancillary services platform and his tenacious business development drive has been fulfilled in Covenant’s current footprint. Covenant now operates 33 ASCs in 16 states, 18 anesthesia entities and a state-of-the-art integrated pathology lab business with operations in Tennessee and California. Covenant is well-positioned to accelerate its growth into related services that can bring value to its physician partners. Rick will continue to be an advisor to and major shareholder of Covenant.