HCA Healthcare to acquire medical imaging training institute
HCA Healthcare has reached a deal to acquire a key medical imaging training institute and its parent company.
The country’s largest hospital system, which is based in Nashville, Tennessee, is buying up the College of Health Care Professions for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1988 by physicians, the college offers education and training programs to help medical professionals “develop the skills they need to meet the demands of today’s healthcare industry.”
CHCP also provides continuing education nationwide on imaging and other emerging healthcare technologies through its Medical Technology Management Institute, or MTMI.
“The College of Health Care Professions has built a strong legacy of preparing skilled and compassionate
healthcare professionals,” Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA, which operates 189 hospitals and 2,600 ambulatory sites of care, said in a statement May 27. “Together, we are investing in the future of healthcare and strengthening the talent pipeline that will serve patients and communities.”
The Medical Technology Management Institute, meanwhile, was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. It provides continuing education and training for imaging professionals with a focus on radiologic technologists, mammographers, sonographers, medical physicists and physicians. MTMI’s offerings include webinars, on-demand videos and workshops, with the institute serving 180,000 students and awarding 1.76 million credits since its start. The CHCP acquired ownership of the Medical Technology Management Institute in 2019, making it the college’s continuing education division at the time.
HCA noted that it has partnered with the College of Health Care Professions for decades via program advisory boards, clinical sites and career placement. In 2023, the two collaborated to create a 12-week medical assistant training program aimed at “upskilling” colleagues and “building a talent pipeline” for HCA’s urgent care centers in Texas. Two years later, over 100 HCA “colleagues” have successfully completed the program. CHCP altogether provides education to an estimated 8,000 students annually across 10 campuses online and throughout the Lone Star State.
As part of HCA, leaders said the College of Health Care Professions will continue preparing students for careers in medical settings. Eric Bing will remain CHCP chancellor and CEO. The college currently offers over 20 accredited programs including medical assisting, sonography, surgical technology, radiologic technology, and medical coding and billing. Since opening in 1988, it has served over 52,000 students.
“CHCP is excited to be part of HCA Healthcare,” Bing said in the announcement. “Our goal is for our shared commitment to adult learner success, academic excellence and workforce readiness to help increase opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals and make a positive impact in communities across the country.”
HCA said the transaction is still subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. The hospital system in 2020 also acquired majority ownership in the Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest educators of the profession in the U.S., since then opening 20 new campuses, for a total of 25.
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.