BIP Capital, one of the most active and successful venture capital firms in the Southeast, announced the hiring of Sarath Degala, who joins its leadership team as vice president and portfolio company lead. Degala's deep healthcare expertise will complement and extend BIP Capital's existing healthcare investment operations.

"There are hires and then there are hires," said BIP Capital CEO Mark Buffington. "Bringing in Sarath to help lead our healthcare investment activities will significantly augment an already thriving operation. We've been collaborating with Sarath on healthcare investments for many years. He has brought us some of our best healthcare investments and has also helped accelerate many of our existing healthcare portfolio companies. Sarath's vast network and deep knowledge of healthcare will extend BIP Capital's brand as one of the best healthcare IT investors in the region."

Degala has 16 years of experience achieving noteworthy operational and financial results within a variety of healthcare settings. His specialties include health system strategy, mergers & acquisitions, operational improvement, physician practice management, revenue cycle, ASC operations, case management, integration and turnaround services. Currently, Degala serves on the boards of directors at PriorAuthNow, CipherHealth and REACH Health. Degala is also a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), American College of Healthcare Executives and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). He holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Health Services Administration, a master's degree in Health Services Administration, and obtained his MBA with a concentration in Finance from Emory's Goizueta Business School. 

"As a prior customer of one of BIP Capital's portfolio companies and a board member of another, I've long been impressed with the caliber of talent and ideas the fund attracts," said Degala. "It's an honor to lend my experience as both a potential buyer and a provider to first-time entrepreneurs working to improve the healthcare system."