Joe Deschryver

Founded in 1993 as Behavioral Healthcare Corporation, and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Ardent Health Services is an owner and operator of acute-care hospitals and other medical facilities. In 2001, the private equity firm of Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe became the majority owner of the company. The firm then began to acquire medical/surgical hospitals and health systems; in 2005, it sold its psychiatric hospitals and changed its name to Ardent Health Services. Ardent currently owns and operates acute care health systems, a network of 11 acute care hospitals, multi-specialty physician groups, a health plan and a medical laboratory.