NXT Capital said it hired Stuart Smartt as managing director, head of Healthcare, for the Corporate Finance Group. Smartt’s responsibilities include originating and leading senior secured credit facilities for private equity sponsors and middle market companies across all sectors of the healthcare industry.

Smartt joins NXT Capital from CIT, where he was a Director in the company’s Healthcare group. His experience also includes serving as a vice president in GE Capital’s Healthcare Financial Services group.

“We’re excited to have a professional of Stuart’s caliber join NXT Capital and lead our healthcare group,” said John Finnerty, group head, Corporate Finance. “Stuart’s expertise is a valuable addition to NXT’s proven ability to serve middle-market healthcare sponsors and companies.”

Under Smartt’s leadership, NXT will continue to provide a full range of financing products to healthcare companies, including senior, stretch senior, unitranche and second lien term loans to facilitate leveraged buyouts, refinancings, recapitalizations and add-on acquisitions for middle market companies with $5 million to $75 million of EBITDA.

“NXT is a dynamic company with a well-deserved reputation for superior, client-focused execution,” said Smartt. “I look forward to further expanding NXT’s footprint in the healthcare sector and building strategic relationships with best-in-class healthcare sponsors and management teams.”