Summit Spine and Joint Centers is a management services organization that provides administrative and support services to its network of clinics and ambulatory surgery centers across the Southeast. Chronic pain conditions occur from a variety of causes, including chronic disease, aging, sports injury, workplace injury and accidents. Traditional pain management has been focused on treating patients who suffer from chronic pain through the use of prescription medications. Interventional pain management has emerged as a way to treat patients using minimally invasive procedures to treat pain at the root cause.
Summit exited Fulcrum’s Fund III investment with a 2nd recapitalization out of Fulcrum Fund IV in partnership with MSouth Equity Partners in 2021. In 2025, Summit Spine exited Fulcrum and expanded with its 3rd recapitalization by Wellspring Capital Management.
- The Right Experience: Fulcrum and Summit quickly agreed that delivering quality care and outcomes is the foundation for any healthcare services business — something that only operators can truly appreciate and understand. As a result, Fulcrum quickly gained Dr Patel’s trust and respect.
- The Right Support: Fulcrum helped recruit a Chief Compliance officer, physicians, and even devoted one of its own team members to support and manage the de novo expansion. Scaling from three to twelve surgery centers and six to over twenty clinics today was no simple task. The board established key performance indicators that provided a clear operational view of the business and was the guide to Summit’s growth. Fulcrum also leveraged their network to help Summit secure an attractive in-network contract with the biggest commercial payor in the state which led to significant patient volume.
- The Right Relationship: The shift from practicing physician to the CEO of a large practice is not an easy transition. Fulcrum provided Dr. Patel the balance of autonomy and support as well as perspective which was greatly appreciated.