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In a move that rattled Wall Street and captivated the private equity world, Surgery Partners Inc. has slammed the brakes on a potential $3.3 billion take-private acquisition from Bain Capital, opting instead to double down on its future as a publicly traded powerhouse.

The Tennessee-based healthcare operator — known for its expansive network of short-stay surgical facilities — announced Tuesday it had officially ended buyout discussions with Bain Capital, saying the upside of remaining public far outweighs the buyout price tag.

A Strategic Crossroads

Surgery Partners had previously confirmed in January that Bain Capital Private Equity LP made a nonbinding bid to acquire the company at $25.75 per share, valuing the business near $3.3 billion. Notably, Bain and its affiliates already owned 39.3% of the company’s common stock at the time.

But after months of deliberation, an independent board committee, armed with outside legal and financial advisors, concluded that Surgery Partners’ long-term growth strategy as a public company delivered more value than the offer on the table.

“We are confident that remaining public gives us the best path to maximize performance and expand aggressively,” the company declared, hinting at upcoming plans to rev up its mergers and acquisitions pipeline and streamline operations.

An Investor Day is slated for later this year, where executives will lift the veil on what they call a “go-forward strategy” — a roadmap to unlock fresh value from its national portfolio and further cement its footprint in the $300 billion outpatient care space.

Quarterly Confidence Sparks Momentum

Bolstering the board’s decision was a strong first-quarter showing: the company clocked $776 million in revenue, up 8.2% from the same period in 2024. CEO Eric Evans described the results as a clarion call that the firm is firing on all cylinders.

“Our performance underscores our confidence in hitting 2025 targets,” Evans stated. “Surgery Partners is strategically placed to thrive amid favorable surgical trends and a supportive regulatory environment.”

Bain Bows Out — But Not Bitterly

Though the offer was ultimately rebuffed, Bain Capital harbors no hard feelings. In a joint statement, partners Andrew Kaplan and Devin O’Reilly praised Surgery Partners’ leadership and vision, noting, “We remain tremendously optimistic about the business and look forward to continuing as long-term investors and collaborators.”

A Healthcare Empire in Motion

Founded in 2004, Surgery Partners has grown into a juggernaut, with over 200 locations across 33 states, encompassing everything from ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals to physician practices and urgent care facilities.

In a time when private equity firms are circling healthcare like sharks scenting blood, Surgery Partners has chosen to swim against the tide — not into the warm arms of a buyer, but into the choppy waters of public growth, armed with sharp strategy and an unshakable sense of purpose.