Integrated Foot and Ankle Specialists (IFAS) Completes Fifth Acquisition of 2023, Acquires Quarryville Family Foot Care

Pennsylvania and New Jersey-based Integrated Foot and Ankle Specialists (IFAS) ended 2023 with the successful acquisition, which closed on December 29, 2023, of Quarryville Family Foot Care in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This transaction marked the fifth acquisition of the calendar year, the first full calendar year of operations for the company.

During 2023, IFAS also completed the acquisitions of Foot & Ankle Center of Chester County, Berkshire Podiatry, Bryn Mawr Foot & Ankle Center and Lancaster Podiatry. These transactions grew the business by a total of 11 office locations in Pennsylvania, as well as allowing us to serve patients through relationships with Jefferson Health, Mainline Health, Tower Health, and additional health systems and nursing facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As of the close of 2023, IFAS operates 16 locations in eight counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, employing over 80 doctors and staff members and is expected to continue to expand with our active pipeline for 2024.

IFAS commenced operations in 2022 as a joint venture between Avonwood Capital Partners and Mereo Capital Partners, two suburban Philadelphia-based Private Equity firms with a background in healthcare investing and operations. The joint venture focuses on the continuum of foot and ankle care, as a patient’s ability to ambulate and stay active is a key indicator of overall health and wellness. IFAS is in active discussions to expand our network of practices in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with potential doctor-partners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

For more information, find us at https://integratedfootandankle.com/join-our-network/.

SCOTTIE MILLER

ASSOCIATE

Prior to Mereo, Scottie was an Investment Banking Analyst in the Global Healthcare Group at Jefferies, where he executed on various mergers and acquisitions and capital raising initiatives. Notably, his deal experience includes the sale of Dental Care Alliance, a leading multi-specialty dental support organization, to Mubadala Investment Company.
Scottie graduated summa cum laude from Bucknell University with his BS in Accounting and Finance.

JOHN MATTHEWS

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

John worked most recently at Hamilton Lane as a Direct Investment Analyst, evaluating equity and credit co-investment opportunities. John previously interned for Susquehanna Private Capital and LMZ Partners. John received his BBA from Temple University.

ADAM BOWIE

PRINCIPAL

Prior to Mereo, Adam worked for L2 Capital Partners executing control investments across a variety of industries in the lower middle-market and supporting portfolio companies on high-impact strategic initiatives. Previously, Adam was an investment banker covering diversified industrial companies in Citigoup’s Global Industrials Group. Before transitioning to a career in finance, Adam served as a Ground Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Adam earned his MBA in finance and management from NYU Stern and his BBA from Temple University.

GIORGIO BOERO

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Giorgio most recently served as CFO of Silver Star Opportunity Partners and as a consultant for Financial Advisers Partnership. Previously, he worked at Silvermine Capital Management as the firm’s CFO. Prior to Silvermine, Giorgio was the CFO of TCW Advisors, Inc. Private Equity Fund, specializing in Latin American middle-market companies. Giorgio received his Master’s in Professional Accountancy from the University of Buenos Aires.

JOHN O'HARE

CO-FOUNDER, PARTNER

Prior to Mereo, John was a senior professional at Tortola Advisors, where he provided operational turnaround services to middle-market companies. Previously, John was Co-Portfolio Manager at Saybrook Corporate Opportunity Funds. While at Saybrook, he served on the boards of directors of six portfolio companies. John received his BA from the University of Illinois and his MBA from Vanderbilt University.

RICH KURTH

CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER

Rich most recently served as Co-Head of the Man Group’s Leveraged Credit strategy. Rich previously sold Silvermine Capital Management, a credit hedge fund he co-founded, to the Man Group. Prior to founding Silvermine, Rich was founding member, portfolio manager, and head trader of TCW’s Senior Loan and Bank Debt Group. Rich received his BS in Business Administration from The Citidel, The Military College of South Carolina.

LEO HELMERS

CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING PARTNER

Leo is the founder of three investment strategies: Susquehanna Private Capital, a middle-market buyout fund; LMZ Partners, a family office focused on lower middle-market control buyouts; and Carlyle Mezzanine Partners, the mezzanine funds of The Carlyle Group. Previously, he worked at Crescent Capital, the Mezzanine investment platform of TCW. Leo has recently served on the boards of several portfolio companies, including McNally Ind., SPC Dermatology, Sunrise Transportation, LeverPoint Management and Long Island Veterinary Specialists. Also, Leo was recruited to chair the board of Plews, Inc. in a successful turnaround.