EPIC Healthcare Group

EPIC Healthcare Group was a major American hospital management company that operated during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Formed in 1988 as a spin-off from American Medical International (AMI), the company was notable for its structure as an employee-owned entity (ESOP), at one point being one of the largest of its kind in the United States. EPIC managed a network of approximately 36 acute-care hospitals, primarily located in suburban markets across the Sun Belt and other regions. The company's business model focused on improving operational efficiencies and local community engagement within its hospital network. In 1994, EPIC Healthcare Group was acquired by HealthTrust for approximately $1.1 billion, a move that preceded HealthTrust's own merger with Columbia/HCA, further consolidating the U.S. hospital industry.