Merritt Hawkins Selected as a TORCH Endorsed Business Partner

Partnership to Create More Physician Access for Rural Texas Hospitals

DALLAS, TX - Merritt Hawkins, the nation’s leading physician search firm and a company of AMN Healthcare, has been selected as an Endorsed Business Partner by the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospital’s (TORCH) Management Services, Inc. Merritt Hawkins was approved as Endorsed Business Partner by TORCH Management Services, Inc.’s (TMSI) Board of Directors based on the firm’s rural physician recruiting experience and expertise, officials with Merritt Hawkins and TMSI said.

“We are delighted to welcome Merritt Hawkins, a Texas-based company of 30 years standing, to our family of Endorsed Business Partners,” said Vicki Pascasio, FACHE, President and CEO of TMSI. “Merritt Hawkins’ experience, resources and expertise in recruiting physicians to rural areas both in Texas and nationwide offer timely and key benefits to our members.”

Under the partnership, Merritt Hawkins will provide its consultative, resource and knowledge-based approach to physician recruiting to TORCH members at a modified fee structure with the goal of increasing the access that rural Texas hospitals and the patients they serve have to physicians, physician leaders and advanced practice healthcare professionals.   

“Rural hospitals in Texas and across the country face a steep challenge when it comes to recruiting physicians,” said Travis Singleton, Executive Vice President with Merritt Hawkins. “Our goal is to partner with TORCH members and provide them with the most comprehensive market data, resources, expertise and search execution possible in an effort to address these challenges and bring more physicians to rural Texas.”

Headquartered in Dallas, Merritt Hawkins has recruited thousands of physicians to its home state over the last 30 years, according to Singleton, including many to rural communities throughout Texas. The firm’s proven record of service to rural Texas hospitals was a key reason why it was selected by TMSI as an Endorsed Business Partner after a thorough vetting process, according to Pascasio. 

“TMSI and Merritt Hawkins make for a natural partnership and we look forward to working with them to help improve healthcare access for rural Texans throughout the Lone Star State,” said John Henderson, President and CEO of TORCH. 

About Merritt Hawkins 

Merritt Hawkins is the nation’s leading physician search and consulting firm, specializing in the recruitment of physicians, physician leaders, and advanced practice healthcare professionals for hospitals, medical groups and other healthcare facilities nationwide. Merritt Hawkins is a company of AMN Healthcare (NYSE: AMN), the nation’s largest healthcare staffing organization and the innovator of healthcare workforce solutions. For additional information see www.merritthawkins.com and www.amnhealthcare.com.  

About Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

The Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) was founded in 1990 and is the leading advocate and resource for more than 150 general acute-care hospitals. The organization provides legislative and regulatory advocacy, specialized programs, publications, services and resources for rural and community hospitals; and supports rural and community hospitals as the focal point for health care delivery in the community. TORCH Management Services, Inc. (TMSI) is the wholly owned subsidiary of TORCH that offers management and operations consulting services. TMSI also provides a preferred vendor program called “Endorsed Partners.” Endorsed Partners are a specially selected group of companies whose experience working with rural hospitals has undergone a thorough verification process. For more information about TORCH, visit www.torchnet.org.

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