Bespoke Executive Search

The PatientPoint CEO Transition | Navigating Healthcare Software Leadership in 2024

Company Overview: PatientPoint

  • Founded: 1987

  • Employees: 657 (2024)

  • Reach: 35,000+ specialty practices across the U.S.

  • Model: Sponsorship-based; delivers free digital solutions to practices

  • Specialization: Point-of-care marketing technology

  • Reputation: Industry leader in patient and provider engagement

Transitioned from a print-based model to a fully digital platform, PatientPoint is recognized for its unique combination of health tech, media, and patient experience innovation.

Strategic Context: Healthcare Software Market in 2024

The healthcare software sector saw transformative growth and consolidation:

  • Market Size: $36.3B in 2024, projected CAGR of 10.5% through 2034

  • SaaS Boom: Healthcare SaaS valued at $34.84B

  • Digital Spend: 80% of healthcare orgs increased IT/software budgets

  • Talent Gaps: 68% of IT leaders cite insufficient expertise as top concern

  • Consolidation: 180+ M&A deals in healthcare software

  • Major Players: Microsoft, Oracle, athenahealth, Salesforce

The Leadership Challenge

After 37 years, Co-Founder and CEO Mike Collette announced his transition to Chairman of the Board, prompting a pivotal leadership succession.

Key Challenges:

  1. Sustaining Momentum: Post-launch of key product PatientPoint Focus

  2. Adapting to Industry Change: AI, retail health, and patient engagement convergence

  3. Cultural Preservation: Upholding legacy culture while innovating

  4. Strategic Growth: Ambitious expansion to reach every U.S. doctor’s office in five years

Search Objectives

PatientPoint engaged Proksch & Co for a national search. The mandate: identify a transformative, values-aligned leader with:

  • Healthcare domain fluency

  • Technology transformation leadership

  • Operational rigor, ideally PE-backed

  • Cultural fit and growth orientation

Market Conditions & Talent Landscape

The search occurred amid intense competition for healthcare technology executives: Compensation Dynamics:

  • 4.6% avg. increase for healthcare exec pay

  • 5.2% rise at system-level leadership

  • Base salaries in tech-linked roles climbed >5%

Talent Market Challenges:

  • Short supply of dual-expertise leaders (clinical + digital)

  • 75% of execs report burnout

  • Cultural alignment increasingly prioritized in hiring

Executive Search Process

1. Search Strategy Development

  • Tapped into 230,000+ executive healthcare network

  • Emphasis on growth-stage, tech-driven leadership

  • Goal: Placement within 28–60 days

2. Candidate Assessment

  • Evaluated across four dimensions:

    • Industry & payer understanding

    • Digital and SaaS transformation leadership

    • Cultural compatibility

    • Experience in PE-backed scaling

3. Sourcing & Market Mapping

  • Focused on:

    • Retail health and innovation leaders

    • Prior healthcare software scale-ups

    • Executives with strong payer-provider ecosystem networks

The Selection: Sean Slovenski

Appointed President (March 2024), with CEO succession planned for October 2024

Background Highlights:

  • Past Roles: President, Walmart Health; CEO, Intel-GE JV; Innovation lead at Humana

  • Accolades:

    • #7 Most Influential in Healthcare (Modern Healthcare, 2019)

    • US Chamber’s Innovator of the Year (2015)

  • Experience: 30+ years in healthcare + PE-backed scaling

Strategic Fit:

  • Expert in retail health and non-traditional care models

  • Proven technology integration and digital transformation leader

  • Deep ties across healthcare ecosystem

  • Strong cultural alignment with PatientPoint’s mission

Transition Plan: March–October 2024

1. Structured 6-Month Overlap

  • Knowledge transfer with outgoing CEO

  • Stakeholder relationship-building

  • Strategic planning alignment for 2025+

2. Clear, Proactive Communication

  • Early stakeholder messaging across:

    • Employees

    • Investors (L Catterton)

    • Partners & clients

3. Handover Framework

  • Mike Collette as Chairman

  • Long-term advisor role for continuity

  • Seamless transition preserving institutional memory

Early Results & Strategic Moves

Leadership Actions:

  • Innovation Network Launch with Verizon at HLTH Conference

  • Appointed Chief Experience & Innovation Officer: Shawn Nason

  • Clarified vision around people-first tech transformation

  • August 25, 2025 – Advent International, a leading global private equity investor, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PatientPoint, Inc., the nation’s largest digital point-of-care network, strategically delivering behavior-changing content and measurable outcomes for patients, providers, and health brands, from an investor group led by L Catterton and Littlejohn & Co., LLC.

Strategic Initiatives:

  • 40–50% growth in sales team

  • Goal: National physician office coverage in 5 years

  •  Investments in AI, genAI, and personalized engagement

  • Ecosystem of healthcare innovation partners