Nashville-Based HCA Healthcare Acquires CHCP College, A Major Provider Of Allied Health Training In Texas

HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP), a leading provider of allied health education in Texas.

The acquisition marks a major expansion of HCA’s workforce development strategy as the company moves to build a direct pipeline of healthcare professionals to support its growing network of hospitals and clinics amid ongoing nationwide labor shortages.

CHCP educates more than 8,000 students annually through 10 Texas campuses and online programs. Although financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the transaction highlights a broader trend of healthcare organizations investing directly in workforce training and education. The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Addressing The Healthcare Staffing Shortage

The deal reflects HCA Healthcare’s response to persistent staffing challenges across the U.S. healthcare industry. Demand for allied health professionals—including medical assistants, radiologic technologists, and surgical technologists—continues to rise, according to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By bringing CHCP into its organization, HCA is positioning itself to develop and retain talent internally rather than relying solely on traditional recruitment channels.

“The College of Health Care Professions has built a strong legacy of preparing skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals,” said HCA Healthcare CEO Sam Hazen in a statement. “Together, we are investing in the future of healthcare and strengthening the talent pipeline that will serve patients and communities.”

The two organizations already share an established partnership. For several years, HCA and CHCP have collaborated on advisory boards and clinical placement programs. In 2023, they jointly launched a 12-week Medical Assistant training initiative designed to upskill HCA employees and create a staffing pipeline for the company’s urgent care centers across Texas. More than 100 graduates have already completed the program and secured placements within HCA facilities, demonstrating the potential scale of the expanded partnership.

CHCP, which has trained more than 52,000 students since its founding in 1988, will continue to operate under the leadership of Chancellor and CEO Eric Bing.

“CHCP is excited to be part of HCA Healthcare,” Bing said. “Our shared commitment to adult learner success, academic excellence, and workforce readiness will help create more opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals while positively impacting communities across the country.”

Expanding HCA’s Educational Network

The CHCP acquisition is the latest step in HCA Healthcare’s broader effort to build an integrated healthcare education ecosystem. The company has steadily expanded its presence in nursing and allied health education over the past several years.

In 2020, HCA acquired a majority stake in Galen College of Nursing, one of the nation’s largest nursing educators. Since then, Galen has expanded from five campuses to 25 locations nationwide with HCA’s support.

HCA also operates Research College of Nursing in Missouri and HCA Florida Mercy Hospital College of Nursing in Miami. Beyond direct ownership, the company has invested heavily in partnerships and diversity-focused education initiatives. HCA has supported the launch of Pepperdine University’s School of Nursing and contributed millions of dollars to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), including a $1.5 million donation to Florida A&M University’s School of Allied Health Sciences and a $750,000 contribution to the University of Texas at El Paso to support healthcare leadership development.

By adding CHCP to its portfolio, HCA significantly expands its reach into allied health education—an increasingly critical segment of the healthcare workforce. The acquisition creates a vertically integrated system in which HCA can help shape curriculum development, strengthen clinical readiness, and provide students with a direct pathway to employment across its network of 189 hospitals and approximately 2,600 ambulatory care sites.

A Potential Shift In Allied Health Education

The acquisition could reshape the allied health education landscape, particularly in Texas. For students, enrollment at CHCP may become more attractive due to expanded access to clinical training opportunities and streamlined employment pathways within HCA’s healthcare system.

The model also gives CHCP a competitive advantage over independent vocational schools that often compete for limited clinical partnerships and graduate placements. By aligning academic programs directly with employer needs, CHCP can tailor training to meet workforce demands more efficiently and improve job readiness for graduates.

Regulators are expected to review the transaction, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and potentially federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission. While the FTC has historically focused on HCA’s hospital acquisitions and market concentration, the vertical integration of an educational institution introduces a different set of regulatory considerations.

Industry observers will be watching closely to determine whether HCA’s strategy becomes a model for healthcare systems nationwide as providers continue searching for long-term solutions to workforce shortages.

Source: BriefGlance