Buffkin / Baker Strengthens Healthcare Technology Practice

Buffkin / Baker has expanded with the addition of Mark Farrington, a well-known health information technology industry executive and entrepreneur, as partner in its healthcare technology practice.

“Mark has more than 35 years of experience in successful high growth private equity backed companies in healthcare, technology and e-commerce, and he will be a great asset for our firm as we continue to grow our healthcare practices,” said Craig Buffkin, managing partner of Buffkin / Baker. “He has an established reputation for visionary technology solutions that created value for organizations ranging from small enterprise startups to multi-billion dollar corporations.”

Mr. Farrington, for his part, said he is looking forward to being part of the Buffkin / Baker team. “There is a true culture of innovation at Buffkin / Baker, and that creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit sparked my interest in the firm,” he said.

Healthcare / Technology Veteran

Mr. Farrington previously served as chief innovation officer and chief information officer for Premise Health, the nation’s largest worksite health and patient engagement company, with more than 550 worksite-based health and wellness centers in the U.S. He has been a leader in healthcare technology and technology services, onsite healthcare and diagnostic laboratory companies for more than three decades.

Prior to Premise Health, he was a co-founder of W Squared, a self-funded startup that provided outsourced business solutions for small and mid-sized companies. He served as CIO from the organization’s inception, working closely with companies in the healthcare and technology industries to create scalable platforms for growth. During his tenure, Mr. Farrington assisted client organizations with oversight of their technology initiatives across a wide array of services including software companies, pathology and clinical labs, recruiting firms and many others. W Squared is now an operating division of Premise Health. He has also served in executive roles in many other successful healthcare tech companies, including OralDNA Labs, American Esoteric Laboratories, CHD Meridian Healthcare, Labcorp and Allied Clinical Laboratories.

Buffkin / Baker focuses on finding leaders for a number of high growth sectors, including healthcare, higher education, digital media, digital marketing, technology, private club, financial services and non-profit. It serves public, private, venture and private equity backed companies. Office locations include Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Winston-Salem, N.C., Charleston, S.C. and Washington, D.C., with affiliate offices in San Francisco and London.

The firm recently promoted Brenda R. Doherty to lead its healthcare provider practice. “Brenda has great expertise, experience and network in the in the healthcare sector, making her well-deserving of this new role,” said Mr. Buffkin. “Brenda is dedicated to expanding the practice, and we look forward to her leadership in this new role.”

Ms. Doherty leads client engagements and is actively involved in expanding the practice. She has spent the past 10 years securing leadership talent for hospitals, healthcare systems, long term care facilities and senior living centers. She specializes in placement of CEOs, COOs, chief nursing officers, chief marketing officers, CFOs and executive leadership both for profit and non-profit organizations.

Recent Expansion

Buffkin / Baker just recently formed with the merger of The Buffkin Group and Baker and Associates, LLC. “Craig and I have known each other for many years and have worked well together both professionally and personally,” said managing partner Martin Baker. “Our common values of delivering a higher level of customer service will help differentiate us in the marketplace, and position us for a bright future.”

“We are excited about harnessing the synergies and vision of both of our firms that have established a proud tradition of excellent service and results for companies and organizations across the world,” added Mr. Buffkin. “Our partnership positions both firms for incredible future growth, and gives us a much larger platform for client service.”

Buffkin / Baker recently merged New York-based WTW Associates into its expanding executive recruiting platform. WTW, a talent provider focused on the media, entertainment, technology and law industries, has integrated its operations into the Buffkin / Baker New York office. Warren Wasp is now a partner in the firm and heads its entertainment / media practice. He has extensive contacts within the entertainment and media industry in New York, Los Angeles and London.

The firm also acquired Nashville, TN-based MusicRowSearch, an executive recruiting operation specializing in the entertainment industry, to expand its service lines and leverage future growth. MusicRowSearch will retain its name under the Buffkin / Baker brand. Through the acquisition, Tim Truitt joins the firm and now serves as a partner and head of the entertainment group.