WittKieffer Acquires Assets of Ross & Company
December 18, 2025 – Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has acquired the assets of Ross & Company. Financial terms of deal were not disclosed. Founder Larry Ross will join WittKieffer as senior partner and lead partner for private equity. “This combination accelerates WittKieffer’s leadership in building boards and executive teams for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies,” the firm said. Through this transaction, WittKieffer will also acquire and integrate Ross & Company’s healthcare leaders (HCL) events and thought leadership brand, including its signature Dallas conference.
“Larry’s reputation and track record in investor-backed healthcare are unmatched,” said Andrew Chastain, CEO of WittKieffer. “By joining forces, we are building the foremost platform – combining specialized insight, an unparalleled network, and a comprehensive suite of solutions – delivering impactful leadership for healthcare and life sciences investors and their portfolio companies.”
With more than three decades of experience, Mr. Ross has placed transformative leaders across healthcare and adjacent sectors, building trusted relationships with prominent investors, operators, and talent partners. His expertise complements WittKieffer’s purpose-built team of 50 professionals serving investor-driven organizations through comprehensive, tailored solutions. Throughout his notable career, Mr. Ross has worked with more than 200 sponsor groups across the venture, growth, and private equity continuum. As lead partner for private equity, Mr. Ross will work with WittKieffer’s growing specialized team to shape the firm’s accelerated growth within this critical area for healthcare and life sciences.
HCL’s annual gatherings attract hundreds of senior leaders who are drawn from a highly curated network of top healthcare investors and operators. With this acquisition, WittKieffer will expand HCL’s reach to the convergent healthcare, academic, and science pillars of the firm’s quality of life ecosystem in the United States and globally. With increasing interdependence and collaboration among these pillars, WittKieffer HCL will convene innovators, providers, educators, payers, and investors across diverse geographies and market segments. The HCL platform is expected to encompass a range of formats, from large conferences to small gatherings to podcast fireside chats.
“The foundational ethos of healthcare leaders has always been to employ its convening power to attract high-impact healthcare leaders and to drive meaningful change through dialogue and collaboration,” said Mr. Ross. “By joining WittKieffer, we can extend this mission globally and across the entire healthcare industry, offering essential wisdom and critical connectivity to leaders and investors committed to improving quality of life.”
Related: WittKieffer Launches Global Emerging Sciences Practice
WittKieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities, and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives, and other leaders.
Recently Launched Physician Leadership Institute
WittKieffer recently launched its Physician Leadership Institute, an initiative designed to support and prepare experienced physicians for executive leadership roles across the healthcare field. The institute offers customized executive development led by a team of experienced physician leaders and leadership coaches and tailored to the specific needs of hospitals and health systems. “I am extremely proud to announce the launch of the Physician Leadership Institute. The Institute offers organizations modular and customizable choices to meet the unique needs of physician leaders,” said Susan M. Snyder, executive partner of WittKieffer’s leadership advisory services and one of Physician Leadership Institute’s leadership coaches. “Too often, we see healthcare executives and physicians at odds when they – and their communities – are better served when they work together. This begins with mutual understanding, a core aim of the Physician Leadership Institute”
WittKieffer Unveils New Program to Speed the Impact of Physician Executives
WittKieffer has released a new program to expedite time to success for physician leaders taking on new roles. The accelerating impact for physician leaders solution differentiates itself from other physician leadership training and support in that it is customized to the executive, their specific role, and their organization. In addition to a coaching component, the program features direct mentorship from a highly experienced and proven physician leader. “Physician leadership is critical in healthcare’s current era which prioritizes quality, efficiency, and patient centricity,” said Raj Ramachandran, senior partner of WittKieffer’s leadership advisory. “While many physicians are natural born leaders, they are challenged to transition into increasingly demanding roles and to make an immediate impact upon their teams and organizations.”
“At WittKieffer, we believe that empowering physician leaders is not just about filling executive roles – it’s about shaping the future of healthcare,” says Raj Ramachandran, co-director of the Physician Leadership Institute. “The Physician Leadership Institute provides a structured, immersive development experience that gives physicians the skills, confidence, and support needed to lead with impact. This ensures the long-term success of their organizations and the well-being of their teams, patients, and communities.”
“Physicians are natural-born leaders, but there are competencies and qualities that must be cultivated to succeed in senior leadership roles,” said Michael Anderson, an accomplished physician leader and co-director of the Physician Leadership Institute. “It starts with comprehensively assessing an individual’s areas of need and strengths to leverage, then developing a personalized, structured program for growth. Becoming a great physician executive requires intentionality and the kind of support the Physician Leadership Institute offers.”
“Highly impactful physician leadership is critical for today’s healthcare organizations to thrive,” the search firm said. “Physician leaders leverage clinical expertise to improve patient care, bridge communication gaps, drive innovation, enhance financial performance, and support physician well-being. WittKieffer’s Physician Leadership Institute helps participating physician leaders deepen their self-awareness and provides them with the tools to meaningfully advance as leaders.”
Related: WittKieffer Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
