MedQuest Signs Joint Venture Agreements with Multiple Health Systems, Emerges as Leading Outpatient Imaging Partner

In today’s healthcare environment with unprecedented pressure on providers to develop cost-effective and accessible diagnostic imaging networks, MedQuest Associates has emerged as a leading outpatient radiology partner for hospitals and health systems. Focusing on the outpatient imaging business exclusively for over 24 years, MedQuest is one of the largest, most experienced and most successful providers in the country, currently managing a network of 45 imaging centers across seven states.

“MedQuest leverages its deep expertise in outpatient imaging to focus on partnerships with hospital and health systems. We have seen strong interest and entered into multiple agreements for our comprehensive services, which are headlined by outpatient imaging management and joint ventures (JV) and referring physician engagement,” stated Bruce Elder, CEO of Atlanta-based MedQuest. “We specialize in delivering quality outpatient imaging at economically sustainable and consumer-friendly rates, which is increasingly important as patients bear a greater share of healthcare costs.”

“MedQuest brings more than two decades of experience to partnering with hospitals and health systems in outpatient imaging,” said Elder. “The capabilities we have developed as one of the leading companies in the industry can deliver better performance, enhanced patient experience and increased market share for our partners.”

To fulfill its goal of serving as a long-term operating partner for a hospital or health system, MedQuest can make a capital commitment and serve as the full turnkey manager of imaging centers, ensuring the highest likelihood of maximum performance for all of the partners. MedQuest also offers its partners flexibility in joint venture structures and equity arrangements.
MedQuest’s recent partnerships and major relationships with health systems include:

  • University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, University of Maryland Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, PA and MedQuest Associates entered into a joint venture to develop and operate a full-modality outpatient diagnostic imaging center in La Plata, Maryland. University of Maryland Charles Regional Imaging recently opened with MedQuest managing the day-to-day operations of the center.
  • North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) has purchased a majority interest in The Imaging Center in Tupelo and partnered with MedQuest as a joint venture partner in the business. MedQuest purchased a minority interest in the center and has assumed management of daily operations.
  • FirstHealth of the Carolinas Inc., MedQuest and its affiliates have partnered to operate FirstHealth Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging, an existing outpatient diagnostic imaging facility located in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
  • Novant Health, a 15-hospital integrated delivery network, relies on MedQuest to manage its entire portfolio of outpatient imaging centers and mobile imaging assets across North Carolina.

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities with a network of 45 imaging centers under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), and referring physician engagement. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for its partners. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.

MedQuest Associates Acquires Diagnostic Imaging Center in Alabama

MedQuest Associates, which owns and operates Mobile Open MRI in Mobile, Alabama, has acquired Suburban Radiology, a well-established diagnostic imaging center offering MRI and CT services in Mobile. Rife Huckabee, MD, founder of Suburban Radiology, will become a professional radiology partner to Mobile Open MRI going forward.

MedQuest began as an owner/operator of outpatient imaging centers more than two decades ago. In recent years, the company has used its deep understanding of how to create value in outpatient imaging by bringing best practices to hospitals and health systems. Through its comprehensive joint venture, management and consulting services, MedQuest improves performance and profitability of both hospital-based and freestanding imaging operations.

Mobile Open MRI has been a leading provider of outpatient MRI services in the Mobile area since 1997 and has relocated to Suburban Radiology’s location at 6576 Airport Blvd. to consolidate the operations of the two facilities.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to join with Suburban Radiology to expand and enhance the diagnostic imaging services we offer to patients, physicians and payers in the Mobile community,” said Bruce Elder, CEO of MedQuest. “We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Rife Huckabee as our new professional radiology partner. We are confident that this investment will position us as the premier provider of outpatient imaging in the area.”

“By leveraging the resources, experienced personnel and unequaled reputation of Mobile Open MRI with my established presence as a radiologist locally, we are better able to make a meaningful impact together with an unequaled dedication to excellence in patient care,” stated Dr. Huckabee. “On a more personal level, partnering with MedQuest allows me to continue striving to provide patients and their physicians with the best imaging experience conceivable.”

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities and hospital radiology services, with a network of nearly 50 imaging centers and 14 acute care hospital radiology departments under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest also provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), referring physician engagement and service line performance consulting. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for its partners. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.

NMHS Partners with MedQuest Associates on The Imaging Center

North Mississippi Health Services (NMHS) has purchased a majority interest in The Imaging Center in Tupelo and partnered with MedQuest Associates, a leading diagnostic imaging center owner/operator as a managing joint venture (JV) partner in the business. MedQuest, which purchased minority interest in the center, has assumed management of daily operations of the facility, located at 320 South Gloster Street.

“The Imaging Center will retain its current name, staff and excellent service orientation, which was developed by its late founder, Dr. Mike Currie,” said M. Shane Spees, NMHS president and CEO. “NMHS is pleased to be partnering with MedQuest and area provider-owners to continue offering greater convenience and access to radiology and imaging services to Tupelo and the surrounding communities.”

“We are very excited to be partners in The Imaging Center with NMHS and provider-owners in the local medical community,” said Bruce Elder, CEO of MedQuest. “As we assume management responsibility for the center, we look forward to building relationships with providers throughout the community and providing the highest quality imaging services to patients in the Tupelo area.”

The Imaging Center moved to its current location in 2013 from Midtown Pointe, formerly known as Gloster Creek Village.

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities and hospital radiology services, with a network of nearly 50 imaging centers and 14 acute care hospital radiology departments under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest also provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), referring physician engagement and service line performance consulting. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for customers. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.

About NMHS
North Mississippi Health Services serves 24 counties in north Mississippi and northwest Alabama from headquarters in Tupelo, MS. NMHS includes acute diagnostic and therapeutic services offered through North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo; a community hospital system with locations in Eupora, Iuka, Pontotoc and West Point, MS, and Hamilton, AL.; North Mississippi Medical Clinics, a regional network of primary and specialty clinics; and nursing homes, telehealth services and a comprehensive portfolio of managed care plans. NMHS connects its patients and their families with convenient access to healthcare that is cost effective and of the highest quality. To learn more, visit www.nmhs.net.

FirstHealth Partners with MedQuest Associates on Outpatient Imaging Joint Venture

FirstHealth of the Carolinas Inc., MedQuest Associates, Inc. and its affiliates have partnered to operate Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging, an existing outpatient diagnostic imaging facility in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

As part of the joint venture, FirstHealth and MedQuest, a leading national provider of radiology management services and imaging center joint venture operator, will continue to provide ambulatory diagnostic imaging service offerings at the Southern Pines location. The center will be renamed FirstHealth Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging.

“The opportunity to become a partner in a high-quality, well-established imaging center and establish a relationship that can support FirstHealth in driving its ambulatory services strategy was very attractive to us,” says David J. Kilarski, CEO of FirstHealth of the Carolinas. “The partnership with MedQuest will allow us to combine strengths in ways that benefit patients, physicians and payers in the community.”

MedQuest believes partnering with leading health systems in a community is the best path in many service areas. “We are thrilled to be partners with FirstHealth, which has a longstanding reputation of delivering excellent care in Pinehurst and its other markets,” says MedQuest CEO Bruce Elder. “All of our goals in the community are enhanced with this partnership, including our ability to engage with local practices, expand access to all patients, and continue the delivery of high-quality diagnostic imaging and patient service.”

About MedQuest
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities and hospital radiology services, with a network of nearly 50 imaging centers and 14 acute care hospital radiology departments under management. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest also provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), referring physician engagement and service line performance consulting. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for customers. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.

About FirstHealth
Headquartered in Pinehurst, FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a private, not-for-profit health care network with more than 4,700 employees serving 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas. Licensed for four hospitals with 531 beds and also including facilities for inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, a hospice, a home care program, community outreach programs, behavioral services, fitness facilities, primary and convenient care practices, a hospitality house, EMS and critical care transport services, a non-profit insurance plan, a philanthropic foundation and a host of other services, FirstHealth demonstrates a commitment to treating the whole patient and to providing quality health care for the entire community – especially those in need. Among numerous other awards, FirstHealth has been named a Top 100 Hospital and a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital by Truven Health Analytics and one of the best hospitals in North Carolina by U.S. News & World Reports.

Bruce Elder Named CEO of MedQuest: Imaging Industry Leader Taps Internal Expert to Lead Growth

MedQuest Associates has promoted Bruce Elder to the position of CEO. MedQuest is a national radiology leader that provides an array of radiology and outpatient imaging joint venture management services to hospitals and other providers. The company also owns, operates and manages diagnostic imaging facilities.

In his most recent role of Chief Development and Strategy Officer, Elder served as a critical architect for the growth and success of the company. In this role, Elder was a part of the senior executive team that guided MedQuest during a period of evolution for the company as well as the diagnostic imaging and radiology management industry.

“I am delighted and humbled to accept this new position,” said Elder. “Our team is one of the best in the country, whether it’s someone greeting a patient at the front desk of an imaging center or a top-notch expert in radiology operations, referrals and management. It is an honor to work with this talented team, and I look forward to continued expansion and growth.”

MedQuest began as an owner/operator of outpatient imaging centers more than two decades ago. In recent years, the company has used its deep understanding of how to create value in outpatient imaging by bringing best practices to hospitals and health systems. Through its comprehensive joint venture, management and consulting services, MedQuest improves performance and profitability of both hospital-based and freestanding imaging operations.

Elder was with MedQuest during the period 2001-2007, serving as Chief Development and Planning Officer and Vice President, Development. He rejoined the company in 2014 after six years as Principal with the leadership advisory firm ghSMART, where he advised investors, boards and CEOs on key leadership and talent issues, including executive assessments, leadership development, organizational design and effectiveness, and talent management best practices.

His healthcare experience includes roles with iXL, Meridian Corporate Healthcare and Surgical Care Affiliates. Elder has an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt with a BA in Political Science.

Dan Schaefer, who served as interim CEO, will resume his role as COO of MedQuest.

About MedQuest Associates
MedQuest is a leading owner, operator and manager of diagnostic imaging facilities, with a network of nearly 50 imaging centers in multiple states. As one of the nation’s most experienced outpatient imaging partners, MedQuest also provides comprehensive services, including outpatient imaging management and joint venture (JV), referring physician engagement and service line performance consulting. Serving health systems, hospitals and imaging centers nationwide, MedQuest draws upon decades of operational experience and industry knowledge to deliver comprehensive guidance and solutions that increase revenue and optimize operations, while improving quality and the patient experience. MedQuest’s industry-leading proprietary systems and processes create an unrivaled value proposition for customers. Atlanta-based MedQuest is a subsidiary of Novant Health, a not-for-profit integrated health system headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC. Learn more at www.mqradiology.com.