The Aspen Group: How a Top Workplace Powers Healthcare Innovation

CHICAGO, IL – January 21, 2026 – The Aspen Group (TAG), a major healthcare support organization, was recently honored by Built In as one of Chicago's Best Large Places to Work for 2026. While such accolades are often celebrated as a testament to company culture, a deeper look reveals that for TAG, this recognition is a direct reflection of a core business strategy: investing in people to power aggressive growth and transform healthcare delivery across the nation.

Based in the city's vibrant Fulton Market district, TAG provides critical support to a sprawling network of over 1,400 independent healthcare practices, including well-known consumer brands like Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, and WellNow Urgent Care. The Built In award, determined by a data-driven algorithm that weighs compensation, benefits, and culture programs, places TAG among Chicago's elite employers. More importantly, it highlights a deliberate model where employee empowerment is not just a perk, but the primary fuel for the company's ambitious mission to bring better healthcare to more people.

A Blueprint for a Better Workplace

The foundation of TAG's approach is the belief that exceptional patient care begins with a supported and well-equipped workforce. The company has made substantial investments in creating an environment that prioritizes professional development, a collaborative atmosphere, and a shared sense of purpose. This philosophy is central to how it operates and scales its support for a network that serves over 35,000 patients daily.

"We're honored to be recognized as one of Chicago's Best Large Places to Work," said Jacob Allen, chief human resources officer at The Aspen Group, in a statement. "TAG's mission is to bring better healthcare to more people, and that starts with creating an environment where our team members can grow and succeed. By investing in meaningful training, modern workspaces and opportunities for advancement, we equip our people to deliver exceptional support to the doctors and practices we serve, ultimately helping clinicians provide the highest quality care in their communities."

This investment goes beyond standard corporate benefits. It manifests in a culture that actively fosters career progression. External employee sentiment often corroborates this focus, with online reviews frequently praising the company's commitment to training and the tangible opportunities for advancement within the organization. This strategic emphasis on internal development ensures a sustainable pipeline of talent ready to lead and innovate as the company continues its rapid expansion.

The Engine Room: Inside TAG's Training Ecosystem

At the heart of TAG's employee development strategy is its state-of-the-art Chicago headquarters. The facility serves as the nerve center for an industry-leading learning ecosystem, comprised of The Aspen Group University (TAG U) and the nearby Oral Care Center for Excellence. These institutions are not just training centers; they are incubators for clinical and professional excellence across all five of TAG's supported brands, which also include Chapter Aesthetic Studio and Lovet Pet Health Care.

TAG U offers a comprehensive curriculum for both clinical and non-clinical professionals. Programs range from leadership development and practice management for support staff to advanced clinical education for doctors, hygienists, and care teams. The Oral Care Center for Excellence provides an even more specialized environment, offering dentists and their teams immersive, hands-on training in complex procedures like dental implants and extractions. Using sophisticated simulation labs and live-patient experiences, clinicians can build confidence, deepen their skills, and expand the scope of services they offer back in their home practices.

This centralized approach to education ensures a consistent standard of high-quality care across a geographically diverse network. For a company supporting practices in 46 states, this standardized excellence is a critical differentiator and a key enabler of its growth model. It allows TAG to rapidly integrate new practices and scale its operations without sacrificing the quality of patient care.

Balancing Aggressive Growth with a Strong Culture

TAG's strategy has positioned it as a leader in several high-growth healthcare sectors. As a prominent Dental Support Organization (DSO), it is at the forefront of a consolidating dental market. Simultaneously, its expansion through WellNow Urgent Care taps into the soaring demand for accessible, on-demand medical services. The diversification into aesthetics and veterinary care further demonstrates a savvy approach to capturing growing consumer healthcare markets.

This aggressive, multi-brand expansion is inextricably linked to its workplace culture. A robust internal training system is essential to staff new locations and ensure brand consistency. While the company earns high marks for its mission-driven culture and development opportunities, it also faces challenges common to rapidly scaling organizations. Publicly available employee feedback suggests that maintaining work-life balance and ensuring management consistency across its vast network are ongoing areas of focus. However, the overwhelming positive sentiment regarding its core mission and investment in people underscores the success of its foundational strategy.

A Chicago Powerhouse in Fulton Market

Beyond its national impact, The Aspen Group has become a significant force in Chicago's local economy. Its headquarters in Fulton Market anchors it in one of the city's most dynamic commercial districts, contributing to the area's growth and vitality. As a major employer, TAG provides a wide range of corporate, administrative, and technical jobs, drawing from Chicago's deep and diverse talent pool.

Being named to Built In's list of 'Best Large Places to Work' is particularly notable within Chicago's competitive job market, which is a hub for finance, technology, and a world-class healthcare sector. The award places TAG in the company of other leading corporate citizens, signaling its commitment to being a premier employer in the region. Furthermore, by establishing its advanced training centers in the city, TAG is helping to cement Chicago's reputation as a national nexus for healthcare innovation and professional education. This recognition from Built In solidifies that for The Aspen Group, building a better workplace is fundamental to its mission of building better healthcare for all.