Dean Gould is a Member of Dykema Gossett PLLC, a national full-service law firm. In his role, he advises healthcare industry clients and dental service organizations (DSOs) on strategic transactions, including acquisitions, mergers, recapitalizations, and divestitures. Dean also assists clients in forming regulatory-compliant practice management structures and equity incentive arrangements for key employees.

The healthcare transaction landscape is becoming increasingly complex as providers, investors, and advisors navigate evolving regulations and market pressures. With new technologies emerging and ownership rules tightening, dealmaking requires precision and foresight. How can healthcare leaders structure transactions to support growth while staying compliant?

Healthcare transactions expert Dean Gould has developed strategies for managing risk, structuring incentives, and communicating effectively with clients and partners. He stresses the importance of clear communication, sound incentive structures, and understanding the dynamics of human capital in physician service organizations. Dean also recommends leveraging technology to improve efficiency while maintaining compliance across state and federal laws.

In this episode of Transaction Healthcare, Zak Eisenberg talks with Dean Gould, Member of Dykema, about trends shaping healthcare transactions. Dean explains why human capital drives value in physician deals, how AI is transforming legal and clinical efficiency, and what to expect from evolving state and federal healthcare regulations.

Zak Eisenberg is the Vice President of Merritt Healthcare Advisors, which provides investment banking services to healthcare services organizations. In his role, he manages the strategic development and execution of ASC, surgical hospital, and physician practice transactions. Zak specializes in sourcing and analyzing transactions and capital and negotiating and structuring investments. Previously, he was a Biofund Venture Analyst at New Orleans Bioinnovation Center, a biotech and life science-focused venture capital firm, and led the analysis team at a renewable energy-focused private equity firm.

The healthcare industry is shaped by legal reforms, financial pressures, and a growing demand for value-based care. For entrepreneurs and physician groups, navigating this complexity requires more than just medical expertise; it demands business strategy, operational foresight, and cultural alignment. How can healthcare leaders prepare their organizations in this dynamic environment while staying true to their mission of improving patient outcomes?

Experts across the healthcare M&A space understand how to navigate deals effectively. Bart Walker emphasizes transparency in due diligence, advising healthcare businesses to identify compliance issues early to avoid costly surprises later. Zak Eisenberg encourages leaders to align every financial decision with a clear strategic purpose, viewing transactions as tools for growth rather than exits. John Nantz highlights the importance of culture and operational discipline in building sustainable healthcare organizations, while Rani Khetarpal underscores the growing opportunity in care coordination and patient navigation.

In this episode of Transaction Healthcare, Zak Eisenberg looks back on his most insightful episodes. Bart Walker, John Nantz, and Rani Khetarpal discuss how to prepare for due diligence in healthcare transactions, build high-performing organizations through strategic alignment, and expand care coordination to improve outcomes for both providers and patients.

Rani Khetarpal is the Co-founder and CEO of NavPoint Health, a company dedicated to advancing patient navigation and care coordination through innovative technology solutions. With over 25 years of experience across pharmaceuticals, digital health, and value-based care, she brings a strategic and mission-driven approach to transforming healthcare. Previously, she held leadership roles at companies including GSK, Teva, and CVS, and founded and exited Global Transitional Care, the first Medicare-recognized transitional medicine provider. Rani is also the President of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators and Founding Partner of Raviya Health Solutions.

For patients with chronic or complex conditions, the healthcare system can feel like a maze of confusion, missed handoffs, and limited support. Despite breakthroughs in treatment, the human side of care — like coordination, communication, and patient guidance — is often fragmented or under-resourced. How can healthcare leaders bridge the gap between clinical care and patient experience in a scalable, sustainable way?

Rani Khetarpal, a healthcare executive with extensive experience in pharmaceuticals, value-based care, and digital health, shares how early career pivots and entrepreneurial instincts led her to tackle the fragmentation in patient support services. Rani emphasizes the importance of understanding operational inefficiencies from both clinical and administrative perspectives and recommends a hybrid approach that combines technology with human connection. She highlights the evolution of navigation roles, the rise of risk-based models, and the necessity of strong partnerships to scale solutions across diverse healthcare systems.

In this episode of Transaction Healthcare, Zak Eisenberg interviews Rani Khetarpal, CEO of NavPoint Health, about transforming patient navigation through innovation and experience. Rani shares how her corporate background informed her entrepreneurial ventures and how timing is crucial when introducing healthcare solutions. She also discusses the emergence of principal illness navigation codes, the human-AI balance in care coordination, and why second-time founders approach building differently.