Two metro Detroit obstetrics practices rolled up by private equity firm

A Chicago private equity firm acquired two metro Detroit obstetrics practices in a roll-up growth strategy.

The platform investment by Shore Capital Partners LLC puts together Eastside Gynecology Obstetrics and Comprehensive Woman's Care as a new company, Birmingham-based Together Women's Health LLC. Shore Capital says it's the largest private obstetrics practice in Michigan with 125 employees at seven locations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Together Women's Health will operate as a managed service organization and the physicians retain ownership in the overall company and individual practices.

The combined entity operates locations in Clinton Township, Chesterfield Township, Detroit, Macomb Township, Rochester, Grosse Pointe and Roseville. Under the roll-up, the existing partner physicians will continue employment under the new company and continue serving the community.

Together Women's Health is led by CEO Anthony Ahee, who serves as managing partner of health care investment firm Honor Equity. Honor was a minority investor in the deal. Paul Nehra, head of the Eastside practice, also now serves as chief medical officer of the combined company, Shore said in a news release.

"With health care ever-evolving and the inherent challenges of private practice, we felt it was time to collaborate with a strong business partner," Nehra said in the release. "Shore uniquely filled that role to shepherd us as the platform partner in Together Women's Health. They have a fantastic record of enabling transformational growth, and our practice felt that this relationship would position us to be a future leader in women's health."

Private equity's interest in rolling up physician practices has been growing for years.

According to research published last year by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University, 1,426 physical locations and 5,714 physicians were rolled up in deals with private equity firms between 2013 and 2016.

Together Women's Health plans to roll up more practices in the future, Ahee told Crain's in an email.

"We are certainly looking to affiliate with additional practice with strong clinical reputations throughout Michigan and the Midwest," Ahee said. "We encourage ob-gyn practices who may be interested in learning more about the value that we can bring to their practices to visit our website at togetherwomenshealth.com and to contact us to learn more about our culture, mission and values. "