TelliHealth has named Asif Ahmad CEO and a member of its board. The aim of the rebranded company, which is the result of the merger between Accuhealth and Signallamp Health, is to improve the delivery of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic care management (CCM) services across the healthcare continuum by serving clients and their patients nationally.

"I am delighted to be able to work with the amazing team at TelliHealth to make a positive impact in the lives of our patients, keeping them healthy at home and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and ER visits," Ahmad said in a statement.

"The future of healthcare delivery lies in managing patients intelligently and proactively at home to help slow the progression of chronic illnesses. Partnering with physician practices and hospitals, TelliHealth's proprietary technology platform coupled with our dedicated clinical teams is shaping the way remote care should be delivered with a focus on superior patient outcomes."

Ahmad served as CEO of Lucid Health, Dimensional Dental and Anthelio Healthcare Solutions, and has held senior executive positions at McKesson Corporation, Duke University Medical Center and he Ohio State University Health System.

Chris Schmaltz, former interim CEO and now executive chairman of TelliHealth, said he welcomed Asif to the organization. 

"Transitioning back to the chairman role, I will be able to support Asif in ensuring continuity, advancing our company's vision and empowering new leadership to seize emerging opportunities," Schmaltz said in a statement.

THE LARGER TREND

In July, Accuhealth and Signallamp Health merged, funded by an investment from Sunstone Partners. The combined companies created a full suite of remote care offerings, including RPM and CCM services to physician practices and health systems. 

This year has seen a plethora of mergers and acquisitions, including Aya Healthcare, which signed a definitive agreement earlier this month to acquire tech-enabled healthcare staffing company Cross Country Healthcare for $18.61 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at around $615 million. The combined companies will allow Cross Country to have a presence in nonclinical settings and expand to all 50 states.  

In November, U.K.-based Vitality acquired U.S.-based coaching platform WellSpark which was formed out of EmblemHealth, one of the largest nonprofit health insurers in America. It provides employers with a coaching platform that leverages science, technology and human connection. As part of the deal, Vitality will add WellSpark's coaching platform to its offerings for its clients, employers and members. In addition, it will partner with EmblemHealth to offer its tools to the health insurers' members.  

That same month Cardinal Health entered into a definitive agreement with GI Alliance (GIA) and Advanced Diabetes Supply Group (ADSG) with the aim of advancing its presence in the multispecialty GI and at-home diabetes spaces. Cardinal Health will acquire a majority stake in GIA for $2.8 billion giving it 71% ownership. For its part, GIA will operate as a platform within Cardinal Health's pharmaceutical and specialty solutions division.