Company's Description: "We are a diverse group of healthcare industry insurance specialists who devise solutions that are specific to each client. Our team includes 200 specialized professionals who are located in regional offices around the U.S. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. prides itself on its broad distribution channels. Our numerous retail branch offices offer localized expertise and service to provide our clients with the optimal service team.

In early 2001, two leading providers of insurance solutions for the healthcare industry merged together to form Gallagher Healthcare: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Healthcare Insurance Services, Inc. Today, Gallagher Healthcare stands as a national leader in this highly specialized industry, with incomparable healthcare insurance expertise, complete market access and superior client service.

Gallagher formed its healthcare practice in 1997 under the name Healthcare First. The goal was to bring together industry experts throughout the organization into a coordinated and focused group of professionals. Prior to the merger with Healthcare Insurance Services, Healthcare First was responsible for the placement of over $150 million of healthcare industry insurance premiums.

Founded by William F. Galtney, Jr. in 1983, Healthcare Insurance Services was a leading independent provider of insurance products to the healthcare industry. The company built its reputation by providing exceptional service and competitive insurance products to clients with specific risk management needs. This specialty-based firm has always worked exclusively within the healthcare industry. Prior to joining forces with Gallagher, Healthcare Insurance Services was consistently ranked as one of the top 25 property and casualty insurance brokers in the U.S., with premium volume exceeding $350 million in 2000.

Our national healthcare practice is now responsible for the placement of over $500 million of insurance premiums, for more than 50,000 physicians and hundreds of institutions."