Nautic Partners, LLC, a private equity firm with more than $1.8 billion of capital under management, today announced that its portfolio company, AXIA Health Management, has acquired Sterling, VA-based American WholeHealth Networks, Inc. (AWH). AWH is the nation’s leading provider of integrative medicine services and provides an extensive network of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners for managed care organizations and health plans.
Nautic made its initial investment in AXIA in November of 2004, in partnership with San Francisco-based Genstar Capital Partners. AXIA was formed by L. Ben Lytle and Hugh Lytle as a provider of population health management services focused exclusively on prevention. The cornerstone of AXIA’s suite of products is HealthCare Dimensions, which developed and manages the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program.
With the acquisition of AWH, AXIA inherits a well-established national network of over 30,000 practitioners in 35 or more CAM disciplines – chiropractic, physical therapy, stress reduction, holistic medicine, massage, and diet and nutrition. The acquisition solidifies AXIA as the most robust and complete national network of fitness centers, community-based CAM providers, and health and wellness programming resources in the nation.
Chris Crosby, a Principal of Nautic Partners, said, “We are thrilled to have helped AXIA to build its prevention capabilities. We believe that the acquisition of AWH positions AXIA as the national leader in preventive health solutions.”
“Our goal is to partner with management and to back strong teams capable of driving growth and value in our portfolio companies,” said Scott Hilinski, a Managing Director of Nautic Partners. “We feel that we have an exceptional group with Ben and Hugh Lytle at AXIA, as well as the teams at HealthCare Dimensions and at American WholeHealth.”
Since its founding, Nautic Partners has completed 14 investments in the healthcare sector, the most recent being the acquisition of AIM Holding Company (formerly International Radiology Group), announced on June 28th. AIM is the leading provider of services to manage the utilization, cost, and quality of diagnostic imaging services.
About AXIA Health Management
Tempe, Ariz.-based AXIA Health Management is a national provider of high-yield prevention programs that strive to improve the health of individuals in specific population segments. AXIA provides comprehensive, integrated health management programs that prevent, delay or mitigate the effects of disease or injury. The cornerstone of AXIA’s suite of products is HealthCare Dimensions, which developed and manages the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, a unique physical activity, lifestyle and socially oriented benefits program designed to encourage Medicare-eligible members to increase their levels of physical activity and motivate them to stay active. SilverSneakers® is offered to more than 1.8 million Medicare-eligible individuals in 31 states at more than 1,100 fitness centers and class sites.
About American WholeHealth Inc.
American WholeHealth Networks Inc. is one of the nation’s largest complementary medicine and integrative health companies, dedicated to serving more than 47 million patients through collaborative relationships with health plans and more than 30,000 providers nationwide. The company’s network consists of more than 35 CAM specialties, including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling, as well as personal trainers, yoga and Pilates instructors, mind/body therapies, spas, fitness centers, and more. AWH supports consumers via its award-winning educational site WholeHealthMD.com. Network participants are supported through WholeHealthPro.com, a professional web site that helps practitioners better serve their patients and improve their business.