HealthInsight, a healthcare quality consulting firm based in Murray, has merged with Qualis Health of Seattle. The merger, initially announced in February, was final last week when the boards of both companies approved the conditions of the transaction.

“The new, merged organization builds on the successes, strengths and cultures of both companies. HealthInsight and Qualis Health will continue to use their current operational names until the organization introduces a new corporate brand later this year,” the companies said in a joint release.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

The merged organization’s governing board includes equal representation of HealthInsight and Qualis Health, supplemented by new members previously not affiliated with either company. Dr. Hugh Straley, formerly chair of the Qualis Health board, has been named as inaugural chair of the new board. “The combined expertise and experience of the new organization is powerful, with potential to accelerate the pace and reach of our work significantly. I look forward to working with the board to assure strong governance and direction as we begin this journey,” Staley said.

The new senior leadership team has already begun defining strategies to align organizational operations and to position the merged company in the healthcare quality improvement marketplace. Marc Bennett, CEO of the merged organization, said, “We’re thrilled the merger plan is now legally executed. Initial feedback from our customers has been very positive. We believe the merger will enable us to fulfill our shared mission more effectively, expand the impact of our services, and most importantly, improve the health of the communities we serve.”

Both HealthInsight and Qualis Health have engaged in health- care quality consulting and providing quality improvement services for more than 40 years. Currently they contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and with Medicaid and other agencies in multiple states. They maintain a diverse portfolio of additional public‐ and private‐sector business operations across the U.S. The new, merged organization employs more than 500 people in office locations across the country.{/mprestriction}