Tennessee-Based Dialysis Company Changes its Name

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- Newly formed Renal America, Inc., based in Brentwood, Tenn., announced that it has changed its corporate name to Renal Advantage Inc. (RAI) to reflect the company's mission. As it moves forward with plans to purchase 70 freestanding dialysis clinics being divested by DaVita Inc., in conjunction with its acquisition of Gambro Healthcare US, RAI also announced the addition of four healthcare industry veterans to its management team.

RAI, which will provide dialysis services through RAI Care Centers, named John K. Crawford as chief financial officer; Jon M. Sundock as chief legal counsel, Sharon Burbage as vice president of clinical services, and Linda M. Meador as vice president of human resources.

Crawford has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations management, corporate financial management, banking and public company investor relations, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer for Surgis, Inc., an ambulatory surgery center and surgical services company. He previously served in senior executive positions at various companies including Iasis Healthcare Corporation and PhyCor. Crawford holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas.

Sundock has 15 years of legal experience in mergers and acquisitions, health care and corporate law. He served as legal counsel to providers of management services to physicians, physician organizations, managed care networks and providers of dialysis services. A member of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis since 2003, Sundock previously was general counsel for Aveta Healthcare, Inc.; counsel for the North Central Division of Gambro Healthcare; and associate general counsel for PhyCor, Inc. He holds an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a law degree from the University of Alabama.

Burbage has 36 years of experience in the dialysis industry. She will oversee policy and procedure for clinical practice, quality assessment and response for the 70 RAI Care Centers. Burbage formerly served as director of training and organizational development for Fresenius Medical Services Central Business Unit. She spent 15 years at Gambro Healthcare, serving in various positions. Burbage began her career as head nurse for dialysis at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and holds an undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

Meador has more than 20 years experience in human resources and organizational development. Most recently she was vice president at Housecall Medical Resources, Inc. Previously, she held similar positions with MDS Inc., Paragon Rehabilitation, Inc., Eckenfelder Inc, and HCA. She has a doctorate in educational leadership from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and in counseling and educational psychology from University of Tennessee. She has a graduate degree in communication theory from Memphis State University and an undergraduate degree from David Lipscomb College.

Renal Advantage Inc. was founded by veteran healthcare executives to build a leading national provider of high-quality dialysis services. RAI has teamed with Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe to finance the acquisition. Welsh Carson has more than $13 billion of capital under management and is one of the most experienced and successful healthcare investors with interests in a number of alternate site health care providers, including Ardent Health Services, Concentra Inc., AmeriPath, MedCath, Select Medical, and US Oncology.

Source: Renal Advantage Inc.