LCG Advisors, a Tampa-based corporate finance advisory firm, announced the acquisition of the operations of Conscientia Analytics, a Jacksonville-based healthcare due diligence firm. The acquisition of Conscientia allows LCG to diversify its current M&A and loan due diligence practice to include the healthcare sector.

“The merger with Conscientia will allow LCG to meet the growing demand of our clients in the healthcare sector, and makes us one of the foremost experts in healthcare-related transactions including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, surgery centers, dialysis centers, physician practices and other healthcare operations,” said Paul Epstein, managing director of LCG.

Brad Velie, CEO of Conscientia, will now assume the role of Managing Director of the Healthcare Advisory Group with LCG.

“Merging with LCG brings together Conscientia’s many years in the healthcare industry and leverage LCG’s infrastructure to continue our commitment of quality and responsiveness to our clients,” Velie said. “With healthcare expenditures at over 17% of the US GDP, investments and other M&A activity in the healthcare sector are expected to increase every year. This positions LCG to provide transaction services to our clients as they take advantage of the increasingly challenging operating environment.”