After more than a decade working side by side, Rhonda Noell and her team join Texas Capital to build a nationally scaled healthcare finance platform rooted in trust, collaboration, and industry insight.
In an industry known for constant movement, the healthcare banking team led by Rhonda Noell stands out for its consistency, longevity, and cohesion. Over the past 15 years, Noell, Rick McMahon, Mohammad “Moe” Hassan, Luis Meade and Evan Purcell have built a collaborative unit that spans originations, underwriting, credit and portfolio management — all with a shared focus on delivering customized financing solutions across the healthcare sector.
Now at Texas Capital, the five-person team brings its deep sector knowledge and seamless working style to a platform designed for national growth, launching new initiatives like healthcare real estate lending and expanding coverage across the U.S. Their move signals Texas Capital’s continued commitment to specialized verticals and long-term client partnerships.
Noell sat down with ABF Journal Editor in Chief Rita E. Garwood for this exclusive Q&A.
Rita Garwood: You’ve worked together for more than a decade. What’s been the secret to keeping the team intact through multiple institutions?
Rhonda Noell: We have built a team culture grounded in trust, open communication and a shared commitment to excellence. By encouraging honest feedback and supporting one another through career and life changes, we have created an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak candidly, collaborate effectively and continuously grow — both personally and professionally.
Garwood: In an industry where movement is common, what makes this team different?
Noell: We prioritized finding a long-term fit that aligned with our values and offered stability for both our clients and team. We were intentional in choosing Texas Capital, a firm where we found we would complement market leading real estate, healthcare and ABL teams to make a meaningful impact and grow lasting partnerships. Joining as a group has created strong momentum — learning together and leveraging each other’s strengths has accelerated our integration and deepened our collaboration.
Garwood: How does long-term collaboration enhance your performance and client relationships?
Noell: We know each other so well that we can finish each other’s sentences. It is this deep familiarity with one another that enables seamless execution and fast, thoughtful client feedback. With diverse experience across originations, credit, portfolio management and underwriting, each team member brings a unique, complementary skillset — and a shared commitment to doing what’s needed to deliver exceptional results. Trust and honest communication are at the core of how we work.
Garwood: What drew the team to Texas Capital, and what gave you the confidence to make this move together?
Noell: What really stood out to us about Texas Capital was the people — their energy, drive and genuine commitment to client success. From leadership down, there is a clear passion for growth and excellence. Their dedication to healthcare was also a major draw, with an existing portfolio and experienced credit partners who truly understand the space. That kind of support is critical. Texas Capital moves fast, but with the depth and capabilities of a much larger institution, offering everything from treasury and syndications to investment banking. It is a dynamic place where we knew we could hit the ground running and make an impact.
Garwood: How does this move align with your view of where the healthcare finance sector is headed?
Noell: This move reflects our belief that healthcare finance is shifting toward deeper specialization and long-term partnerships. In a fast-moving environment, clients need experienced teams who understand the nuances of the industry and have the institutional strength to support them through all cycles. We are committed to being more than a capital provider — we aim to be solution providers and lasting partners. Texas Capital offers that breadth, with capabilities across financing, treasury, investment banking, private wealth and beyond.
Garwood: What excites you most about Texas Capital’s transformation and future direction?
Noell: It is incredibly exciting to be part of an organization that is growing and transforming. We appreciate Texas Capital’s deep roots in Texas and its national reach, along with the consistent communication from leadership about the firm’s direction. The level of support here truly sets it apart.
Garwood: You bring strengths across ABL, cashflow and real estate. How do you integrate those specialties to deliver for clients?
Noell: Having all three solutions in one team with deep healthcare experience provides clients with consistency when they need multiple products (such as a cash flow or ABL facility with a term loan) or as they grow and change (such as moving from an ABL facility to a cash flow facility). Consistency in credit analysis and account management builds long-term confidence and the ability to execute. Knowing all disciplines also allows the team to assist borrowers in determining what is right for them and their business.
Garwood: What are the unique challenges in healthcare finance today, and how is your team positioned to meet them?
Noell: Healthcare has always required expertise due to the ever-changing federal and state budgets, reimbursement, regulations and stroke-of-the-pen risk. Having a lender and advisor with a dedicated healthcare team allows our clients to stay on top of the changing regulatory environment and make decisions that work for both them and us. In addition, having a healthcare-focused team provides our clients with confidence that we understand the industry-related challenges and will not abandon our coverage or their needs at a moment’s notice. We have been through a pandemic, hurricanes, budget crises, government shutdowns, tariffs, lawsuits and property turnarounds — we know how to quantify and mitigate risk. Healthcare is broad and we are dedicated to digging into each deal on an individual basis and crafting solutions that work for all stakeholders.
Garwood: Can you share an example of how your team’s unified approach made the difference in a complex deal?
Noell: The combination of collaboration and collective experience really shines in challenging situations, particularly when timelines are tight and deal dynamics are complex. We supported a long-standing private equity partner by underwriting a credit facility for one of its portfolio companies. The business had underperformed due to unforeseen regulatory headwinds and it was a turnaround when we underwrote our facility. This execution was truly a team effort that involved each one of us. The uncertainty surrounding how and when the regulatory overhangs would resolve themselves required us to have certainty not just in the initial analysis, but also in our ability to actively manage the relationship and be supportive of our client going forward. This is where a fully integrated team that covers originations to underwriting to portfolio management can provide value in giving consistent and accurate feedback that is critical in establishing trust and forming long-term relationships.
Garwood: What are your priorities for the first year at Texas Capital?
Noell: We were fortunate to join a firm with a track record of success in healthcare and established relationships with the top operators, sponsors and lenders in the industry. Our number one priority is to integrate seamlessly with the broader team and contribute to the client and solution focused culture that has already been established.
Garwood: How do you plan to grow the healthcare portfolio and bring value to clients in this new chapter?
Noell: One of the most impactful initiatives we are pursuing to grow the portfolio is the launch of healthcare real estate coverage at Texas Capital, with a focus on skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care across the United States.
Garwood: What message do you hope your move sends to the market and to your clients?
Noell: Texas Capital is fully committed to growth, both in healthcare and beyond. We are a full-service financial services firm with a dedicated, energized team of bankers that can service clients across the industries and the country!