TLDR: Chicago-based AVIA has acquired Panda Health, a strategic move to significantly expand its AVIA Marketplace platform. This acquisition aims to enhance the connection between health systems and digital health innovators, creating a combined entity that serves over 75% of the nation’s health systems and features over 7,000 solution companies. The merger is set to accelerate the adoption of digital health strategies and solutions across the healthcare landscape, leveraging advanced technology intelligence, including agentic AI.
Chicago, IL – October 15, 2025 – AVIA, a leading digital transformation partner for health systems, today announced its acquisition of Panda Health, a move poised to significantly bolster the AVIA Marketplace platform and further empower healthcare providers in their digital health strategies. This strategic integration combines two powerful entities dedicated to connecting health systems with innovative digital health solutions.
The newly merged organization will represent an expansive community encompassing over 75% of the nation’s health systems and more than 7,000 solution companies. The core objective of this acquisition is to accelerate the adoption of appropriate digital health technologies by providing a more comprehensive and intelligent platform for both buyers and sellers.
AVIA Marketplace is renowned for its role in connecting hospitals, health systems, and digital health innovators. Panda Health, established in 2020 by founding health systems including Gundersen Health System, CentraCare, and ThedaCare, along with development partner Fitzroy Health, operates a marketplace that meticulously vets and assesses digital health technologies across numerous categories. Health systems utilize Panda’s platform to efficiently shop for and procure technologies, benefiting from assistance in selection, implementation, and ongoing contract management.
Clay Holderman, CEO of AVIA, emphasized the community-driven value of the platform. “The value of AVIA Marketplace is our community – you’re leveraging the collective wisdom of hundreds of health system leaders and purchasers,” said Holderman. “The addition of Panda Health to our platform just makes sense. We are the only healthcare technology navigator that was built by health systems for health systems.”
Leadership for the combined offering will see Kristen Flint, formerly CFO of Panda Health, stepping into the role of Senior Vice President, Marketplace. Ryan Bengtson, Panda Health’s CEO, will transition to an advisory role for AVIA, the parent company of Marketplace.
This enhanced platform is designed to offer healthcare providers and solution companies access to the industry’s most comprehensive healthcare technology intelligence. It is notably powered by robust agentic AI workflows, augmented with human insight, to deliver decision-quality insights validated against real health system needs. This approach aims to accelerate confident and effective digital adoption.
Kristin Flint, the new Senior Vice President of Marketplace, highlighted the synergistic benefits. “Combining the best-in-class solution company data from Panda Health with AVIA Marketplace’s deep understanding of healthcare transformation is a game changer for our customers and partners,” Flint stated. The joint organization is expected to expand its capabilities through new insights, collaboration opportunities, and advanced digital tools, anticipating the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape. AVIA has also recently introduced Nexus Agentic AI, a platform specifically designed to guide health systems in the responsible adoption of agentic AI.
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The acquisition ensures that healthcare organizations will benefit from an independent, evidence-based platform, relying on neutral research and peer-driven reviews to make confident, data-informed decisions in their pursuit of digital transformation.
