Sagent Taps Optum Vet Shawna Gisch as CEO to Lead Next Growth Phase

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – April 06, 2026 – Sagent Behavioral Health, a major Midwestern mental health provider, has appointed healthcare veteran Shawna Gisch as its new Chief Executive Officer. The move signals a strategic shift for the company as it transitions from a period of rapid expansion and rebranding to a new phase focused on operational optimization and deepening its impact on healthcare access.

Gisch, who brings more than two decades of leadership experience from senior roles at UnitedHealthcare and Optum, succeeds Mark Peterson effective immediately. Peterson, who architected the company's recent transformation, will continue to guide its strategy as a member of the Board of Directors.

A Transformed Company Awaits

Shawna Gisch takes the helm of an organization that has been fundamentally reshaped over the past year. Under Mark Peterson's leadership, the company, backed by private equity firm Nautic Partners since 2019, executed a bold strategy to consolidate its market position and create a more scalable platform. This transformation was highlighted by two major initiatives.

First, in August 2025, the company, then operating as Nystrom & Associates, acquired the 23 Minnesota-based clinics of Ellie Mental Health. This single transaction significantly expanded its clinical footprint, creating one of the largest behavioral health networks in the region. The integration brought together two major players, combining their clinical and operational strengths to serve a broader patient base.

Following the acquisition, the company undertook a comprehensive rebranding in October 2025. Six distinct brands—including the long-standing Nystrom & Associates, the newly acquired Ellie Mental Health operations in Minnesota, LifeWorks and Psychiatric Associates in Iowa, Sandhill Counseling and Consultation in Missouri, and Vantage Point in Wisconsin—were unified under the single banner of Sagent Behavioral Health. The new name, combining "Sage" for wisdom and "Agent" for change, was chosen to reflect a unified mission of empowering patients and advocating for better mental healthcare across its five-state territory.

These moves, orchestrated by Peterson, successfully positioned Sagent as a regional powerhouse with over 80 clinic locations, 2,000 employees, and approximately 1,600 clinicians who conduct 1.4 million patient appointments annually. "From the outset, my role was to guide Sagent through a critical period of transition and position the organization for long‑term success," said Peterson. He expressed confidence that Gisch is the ideal leader for the company's next chapter, stating, "Shawna brings the operational discipline, policy expertise, and commitment to access that will accelerate Sagent's next phase of growth. The Board and I have full confidence in her ability to lead the organization forward."

A New Leader for an Era of Optimization

Shawna Gisch’s extensive background makes her uniquely qualified to lead Sagent's next stage of development. Her career has been centered within the complex, large-scale environment of UnitedHealth Group, where she held numerous executive positions. Most recently, she served as the CEO of Optum Home and Community Care. Her resume also includes roles as Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations for UnitedHealthcare Government Programs and Vice President of Clinical Strategy and Innovation, with a deep focus on Medicaid and dual-eligible populations.

Her expertise lies not just in managing large-scale operations but in navigating the intricate web of healthcare policy, particularly concerning government-sponsored health plans. This experience is critical for a behavioral health provider aiming to expand access to underserved communities, many of whom rely on Medicaid. Gisch is recognized for her ability to drive performance while advancing initiatives that improve affordability and health outcomes.

Her appointment is a clear signal that Sagent is now focused on integrating its expanded network, refining its operational model, and leveraging its scale to improve care delivery. While Peterson’s tenure was defined by acquisition and consolidation, Gisch’s is expected to be defined by strategic optimization and sustainable growth.

"I'm honored to join Sagent at such a pivotal moment," Gisch stated. "The organization has built a strong foundation, and I look forward to partnering with the team to expand access to high‑quality behavioral health services, strengthen clinical support, and deepen collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem."

Navigating a Dynamic Behavioral Health Market

The leadership transition comes as the U.S. behavioral health market continues to grapple with unprecedented demand. The need for therapy, psychiatry, and substance use treatment services has surged, placing immense pressure on providers to expand access while maintaining quality. The Midwest, where Sagent operates, is no exception.

The market remains fragmented, but the trend toward consolidation, often fueled by private equity investment, is accelerating. Firms like Nautic Partners are investing heavily in the sector, seeking to build regional and national platforms that can operate more efficiently and negotiate more effectively with payers. Sagent’s recent transformation is a prime example of this strategy in action.

However, growth brings challenges, including integrating diverse clinical cultures, standardizing technology platforms, and navigating varying state-level regulations. Gisch's background in managing complex, multi-state operations within Optum and UnitedHealthcare provides her with a proven playbook for addressing these exact issues. Her deep understanding of the payer landscape, especially Medicaid, will be invaluable as Sagent works to ensure its services are accessible and affordable across its diverse patient populations in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and North Dakota.

The Path Forward: Policy, Access, and Integration

Under Gisch's leadership, Sagent is expected to leverage its newfound scale to become a more influential player in policy and public health conversations. Her expertise in Medicaid and government programs could empower the company to pioneer new models of care and form innovative partnerships that address systemic barriers to mental health treatment.

Industry observers anticipate Gisch will focus on several key areas. First is deepening Sagent's engagement with state Medicaid programs, potentially expanding services like the Care Management offered to Minnesota's Medical Assistance recipients, which helps individuals with mental health diagnoses navigate the healthcare system. Second is the potential exploration of value-based care arrangements, where payment is tied to patient outcomes rather than the volume of services provided—a shift her experience at Optum makes her well-suited to lead.

Furthermore, her role will likely involve building strategic alliances with large hospital systems, primary care networks, and community organizations to better integrate behavioral healthcare with physical healthcare. This holistic approach is widely seen as the future of effective and efficient medicine. By strengthening clinical support for its 1,600 providers and advocating for policies that promote mental health parity and address workforce shortages, Gisch is poised to build on the strong foundation she inherits and steer Sagent toward a future of greater impact and sustainable growth.