Company Overview
Kidney Care & Healthcare Services
1992
Dialysis Care · Chronic Kidney Disease Management · Integrated Kidney Care · Patient Education · Clinical Innovation
A purpose-driven biotech, scaling at investor pace.
DaVita is a leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, treating patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. As of 2019, DaVita provided dialysis services to over 1.7 million patients.
They operate more than 2,753 outpatient dialysis centers across the United States and 259 centers located in ten countries around the world. In the fiscal year ending May 2019, DaVita reported annual earnings of $1.7 billion USD.
Introduction
When turnaround became the only option.
In 1999, DaVita’s Renal Care Division—then known as Total Renal Care—was facing a critical moment. Following three poorly integrated mergers, the organization was only weeks away from insolvency.
When Kent Thiry stepped in as CEO, he inherited a company struggling with 52% annual staff turnover, declining patient experiences, stagnant revenue growth, and deteriorating profitability.
Recognizing that sustainable recovery required both operational and cultural transformation, Thiry brought in experienced healthcare leaders who partnered with FMG Leading to help guide the organization through one of the most ambitious turnarounds in the healthcare industry.
Partnership
Transforming culture and performance— together.
FMG Leading began by conducting a nationwide benchmarking initiative to identify best practices from high-performing service organizations across multiple industries. The findings highlighted leadership capability and middle-management effectiveness as critical drivers of performance improvement.
Working closely with DaVita’s executive team, FMG Leading designed and implemented a comprehensive leadership and culture transformation strategy. This included the development of the first emotional-intelligence-based leadership curriculum for DaVita University, helping leaders strengthen engagement, accountability, and service excellence throughout the organization.
FMG Leading also partnered with executives to define and map DaVita’s desired culture, train thousands of leaders nationwide, and help architect the organization’s renowned service philosophy known as “The DaVita Way.”
- Nationwide leadership benchmarking
- Emotional intelligence leadership curriculum
- DaVita University development
- Executive coaching and advisory support
- Culture transformation roadmap
- Leadership team alignment
Outcomes
A culture shift that delivered measurable results.
The transformation at DaVita is widely regarded as one of healthcare’s most successful examples of simultaneous cultural and financial turnaround.
Within the first three years of the engagement, the organization significantly improved employee engagement, operational performance, clinical outcomes, and financial results. What began as an organization facing insolvency evolved into one recognized for one of the strongest workplace cultures in healthcare.
Today, DaVita serves millions of patients through thousands of dialysis centers across the United States and internationally while continuing to build upon the leadership foundation established during its transformation journey.
73%
REVENUE GROWTH
Revenue increased from $1.5B to $2.6B within the first three years.
17%
EMPLOYEE TURNOVER
Staff turnover dropped from 52% to 17%, dramatically improving workforce stability.
$2 → $70
STOCK PRICE GROWTH
During the first five years of the engagement, DaVita’s stock price increased from approximately $2 to $70.
$10.1B+
ANNUAL REVENUE
DaVita’s most recent annual reports reflect revenue of approximately $10.1 billion.
Ongoing Success
The transformation endured — and so did the growth.
What began as a turnaround initiative evolved into a long-term culture and leadership strategy. DaVita is now widely recognized for building one of the most vibrant and people-centered cultures in healthcare while maintaining strong operational performance and industry-leading clinical outcomes.
FMG Leading continues to partner with DaVita today, supporting leadership development, organizational alignment, and the continued evolution of the culture that helped redefine the company.
1999
Leadership Transition
Kent Thiry became CEO and initiated a comprehensive organizational turnaround.
2000–2003
Culture Transformation
Launch of DaVita University, leadership development programs, and “The DaVita Way.”
2004–2005
Performance Acceleration
Revenue growth, clinical improvement, and significant reduction in employee turnover.
Today
Sustained Success
DaVita operates more than 2,700 U.S. dialysis centers and remains an FMG Leading client.
