Kent Thiry and DaVita: Leadership Challenges in Building and Growing a Great Company

DaVita, one of the largest operators of kidney dialysis centers in the United States, underwent a remarkable turnaround between 2000 and 2005, a transformation based on building a strong values-driven culture, with an emphasis on fact-based decision making and the theme of one for all, all for one and an emphasis on company as community. Now the company's top management faces a number of challenges, including the integration of one of its largest competitors just acquired in a merger, ensuring management succession and not being too CEO-centric, and dealing with the operational issues confronting a company heavily dependent on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements that do not fully cover the cost of treatment while competing for employees in the health care industry.