Meridian's seasoned management team has an established track record in financing, developing, and operating ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical hospitals and related healthcare ancillary businesses throughout the United States.
David "Buddy" F. Bacon, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
From 1996 to 2003, Buddy served in roles as chief executive officer and previously as chief financial officer for Medifax-EDI, Inc., a healthcare information technology company based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2001, the Company was acquired by Crescent Capital, Atlanta, Georgia, for $117 million. At that time, Buddy was promoted to chief executive officer of Medifax-EDI and grew the company until it was sold to WebMD in 2003, for a combined valuation of $365 million. Prior to Medifax-EDI, Inc., Buddy worked in public accounting with Lattimore, Black, Morgan, & Cain, PC from 1986 to 1996, where he focused on corporate audit and tax. He graduated from David Lipscomb College, in Nashville, TN, with a major in accounting and is a certified public accountant.
See Buddy's profile on DOCWORTHY.com
Kenneth N. Hancock
President and Chief Development Officer
Kenny has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He is the former executive vice president, chief development officer and co-founder of Surgical Alliance Corporation, a specialty surgical hospital company founded in 2001. Prior to Surgical Alliance, Kenny was a co-founder of OrthoLink Physicians Corporation, established in 1996, to develop, manage, and operate orthopedic surgery centers and specialty surgical hospitals. In 2001, OrthoLink was acquired by United Surgical Partners International, of Dallas, Texas, in a stock transaction valued at $92 million. Prior to OrthoLink, Kenny served for more than 11 years in various capacities with the DePuy Corporation, the largest manufacturer of orthopedic surgical products in the world. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business from University of Kentucky. Kenny is a published author and is a frequent presenter at industry events.
See Kenny's profile on DOCWORTHY.com
Catherine W. Kowalski, RN
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Cathy has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Cathy is the former executive vice president of operations and co-founder of Surgical Alliance Corporation, a specialty surgical hospital company founded in 2001. Prior to Surgical Alliance, Cathy served as a co-founder and vice president, operations and hospital/ancillary services of OrthoExcel, Inc., a hospital management company focused on contractual management of orthopedic hospital business lines. OrthoExcel was acquired by OrthoLink in 1997.
From 1993 until 1997, Cathy served as vice president, operations of MedCenter Management Services, Inc., a healthcare management organization specializing in the development and management of Orthopedic Centers of Excellence. From 1989 to 1993, Cathy was manager, Ohio Orthopedic Institute, responsible for planning and ongoing operation of a new forty-bed inpatient unit specializing in total joint arthroplasty. From 1985 to 1989, Cathy was a cardiothoracic surgery/heart transplant team staff nurse at The Ohio State University.
Cathy received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the Ohio State University in 1985 and a Masters of Science in Organizational Development and Analysis from Case Western Reserve University in May 1995. Cathy is a Registered Nurse and has been published and contributes to a variety of industry publications.
See Cathy's profile on DOCWORTHY.com
John C. Wilson, Jr., CPA
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
John has experience as both a chief operating officer and financial officer previously with two healthcare companies. Most recently John served as chief operating officer of Xtensia, a revenue cycle management company. Previously, John served as executive vice president of finance and operations for Working Rx, Inc. a work-comp pharmacy services company, formerly a division of Medifax-EDI. John also has over six years of experience in public accounting. He has a Masters degree in Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
To view additional members of the Meridian team, click on the links below:
Business Development
Finance
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing
Operations