Private equity-backed radiology groups expand in 2 markets
Solis Mammography—which bills itself as the nation’s largest independent provider of specialized breast health services—is expanding in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, U.S. Radiology Specialists also is adding two new locations in South Carolina.
The Addison, Texas-based imaging center operator on Monday announced the opening of its latest outpost on 19th Street, just south of the Dupont Circle. Solis Mammography said the center offers 3D breast cancer screenings, along with its Mammo+Heart exam, which also assesses possible risk of cardiovascular disease.
"Our expansion into the D.C. market is not only an indication of Solis Mammography's rapidly growing footprint, but also shows our commitment to providing greater access to advanced mammography services across the country," CEO Grant Davies said in a June 23 announcement. “We're looking forward to introducing a better mammogram to patients throughout the metropolitan D.C. area,” he added later.
Solis Mammography was founded in 1986 and in 2018 sold a majority stake to Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Capital Partners. The company has tripled in size since, growing from 50 locations to 150, across 22 markets including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Denver, Phoenix, Greater Philadelphia, Columbus, Nashville and Miami. In December, Solis Mammography also expanded into the San Antonio, Texas, market acquiring Avestēe Women's Imaging Centers and its six locations.
The company also acquired affiliated practice Progressive Radiology in 2021, adding 11 locations at the time across Illinois, Maryland, Virginia and D.C. (though this appears to be the first Solis Mammography-branded center in the area). Davies and colleagues touted new features at the 19th Street location such as AI integration, SmartCurve technology that matches the shape of a woman’s breast, and a facility designed with patient comfort in mind.
US Radiology also expands
A little farther south, US Radiology Specialists also is expanding.
The company is opening two new, separate outpatient imaging centers in the community of Fort Mill, South Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte in York County.
Charlotte Radiology Fort Mill Breast Center will offer comprehensive services including 3D mammography, breast MRI and bone density imaging. This marks USRS affiliate Charlotte Radiology’s 18th breast center location.
Meanwhile in a separate adjacent suite, Carolinas Imaging Services Fort Mill will offer the full range of imaging services including MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray. Carolinas Imaging—a joint venture between Charlotte Radiology and the Atrium Health system—now operates seven locations across the region.
“We’re proud to expand our presence in Fort Mill with two new outpatient centers designed to provide high-quality, patient-centered imaging care,” Joshua Edwards, MBA, group president of Charlotte Radiology, said in June 23 announcement.
US Radiology Specialists was formed in 2018 as a partnership between Charlotte Radiology and New York private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. The company now has over 180 locations across 13 states, including 30 that are part of the 55-year-old Charlotte Radiology.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.