2011 LHC Delegation Arrives in New York. Todd Marti Photography.

More than 70 emerging healthcare leaders from Nashville convened in New York in the shadow of the rebuilding at the World Trade Center site to discuss the financial and deal-making trends that will shape their industry in the months to come.

The Nashville Health Care Council's Leadership Health Care biennial Delegation to Wall Street kicked off yesterday with remarks from Charles Ditkoff, vice chairman of Global Corporate and Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, who said, “The most important thing going on in the world right now is volatility.”

Ditkoff outlined many factors that have contributed to volatility in the markets – from natural disasters around the world to economic and regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. and Europe. The picture he painted was bleak, in many ways, suggesting that the remainder of the year would be a difficult environment in which to get healthcare deals done.  

Ditkoff was followed by a panel of private equity experts who were more positive about the prospects of the healthcare sector. The panel, which was led by Philip Pfrang of Deloitte & Touche and included leaders from Warburg Pincus, The Blackstone Group, Vestar Capital Partners, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, provided insight on both the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare companies.   

“We foresee modest but positive growth for the foreseeable future,” said Sean Carney, managing director, Warburg Pincus.

Panelists acknowledged significant problems in the healthcare system, but noted that companies that can provide solutions to these problems will thrive. 

The panel closed with a question about the prospects for Nashville’s healthcare sector. While panelists declined to mention specific companies in which they had interest, all cited Nashville’s importance in the evolving healthcare landscape.

“Nashville is a great healthcare community,” said Sean Traynor, general partner, Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. “There is a great network of folks with innovative ideas. It is a great place to put a headquarters and build a team.”

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