Led by co-founder and CEO Travis Messina, Contessa Health became an innovator in the palliative care arena, with the company’s success reflected in its multiple health system joint ventures.
Messina – who left the Contessa CEO role this spring – is now looking to replicate that success elsewhere.
The Franklin, Tennessee-based Regent Surgical Health announced Monday that Messina has been named the company’s new CEO. Messina will also be appointed to its board of directors, according to a press release.
Messina will replace Regent Interim CEO and Executive Chairman Joe Clark, who remains on Regent’s board.
“[Messina] brings a unique blend of visionary thinking, entrepreneurial prowess and deep experience forming successful partnerships with some of the nation’s leading health systems,” Clark said in the press release. “As we seek to grow Regent into new markets and deepen our existing relationships, [Messina’s] leadership and skill set could not be a better fit.”
Messina co-founded Contessa in 2015, remaining with the company in a leadership capacity during its transition into Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED), which purchased Contessa in 2021 for $250 million.
Contessa’s palliative care JVs include deals with Mount Sinai Health System, Memorial Hermann Health System and Baylor Scott & White Health, among others. Under Messina, Contessa had grown increasingly bullish on palliative care, though the company also offered home-based care alternatives to hospital-level care and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs).
“This model personalizes care for acute and chronic conditions, while lowering costs and increasing patient satisfaction,” Messina said in October 2021 in an announcement regarding a palliative care joint venture with Henry Ford Health System.
Regent’s business model revolves around partnering with hospitals and physicians to develop, own and manage ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Founded in 2001, the company currently operates and manages ASC locations in more than 15 states.
In 2021, Regent completed a strategic investment from TowerBrook Capital Partners, an international investment management firm, along with Ascension Capital.
“Today’s leading health systems are pursuing significant ambulatory strategies to provide a better patient and physician experience at a lower cost,” Messina said in the release. “Regent has demonstrated a 20-year track record of success and the agility needed to be these systems’ partner of choice, uniquely capable of connecting high-end outpatient services seamlessly to their complex acute care offerings. I’m excited to build on our tremendous foundation and accelerate Regent’s growth as an innovative and differentiated industry leader.”
Prior to Contessa, Messina was the chief investment officer for Martin Ventures and the vice president of development for Vanguard Health Systems.
