Communications firm GrahamSpencer has expanded into the Nashville market by hiring Group Account Director Wade Breaux from Bohan. Breaux has roots and family in GrahamSpencer's hometown of Rockford, Ill. The firm also runs offices in Colorado and New Jersey and has a client list that includes some big names in finance, health care and consumer goods. Breaux is scouting for office space around town now

"I can't wait to bring our collective energy and skill to the city I love, the music and tourism industries that make it tick, and the greater South in general. GrahamSpencer is in its 26th year in business in 2013, and I believe there is a growing market in this very cool city for the unique blend of skills and experience the company brings to the table."

Medicare Advantage specialist HealthSpring has been picked by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to manage a program that will treat dual-eligible seniors in six Chicago-area counties. HealthSpring's contract under the Illinois Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative is for three years and will coordinate care between physicians, pharmacists and behavioral and long-term care providers.

Franklin-based Acadia Healthcare is stepping into the Land of Lincoln for the first by paying $90 million in cash for Timberline Knolls, a 122-bed inpatient behavioral facility in the city of Lemont, near Chicago.

Timberline had recorded revenues approximating $33 million for the 12 months ended June 30. The facility, which Acadia execs expect will add to earnings right away, also will wrap up an 18-bed expansion late this year.

“We are pleased to announce the addition of Timberline Knolls, a growing, profitable and well-run facility to Acadia’s expanding base of inpatient psychiatric facilities,” said Joey Jacobs, Acadia’s chairman and CEO, in a release linked here.

Burton Hills-based AmSurg has signed a deal to acquire a majority stake in a surgery center on the north side of Chicago for almost $8 million. Illinois regulators still need to approve the acquisition, news of which is coming to light a month after AmSurg paid $6.2 million for a majority stake in an undisclosed center. (Search the company's recent 10-Q for "July 2012.")

The doctors have agreed not to work for a competing surgical center for five years after the transaction closes, or two years after they sell their remaining ownership interests, according to the letter of intent.

Franklin-based M*Modal has signed a deal with Wisconsin-based United Hospital System to install its clinical documentation systems there. United Health, which has a network that reaches into northern Illinois, is anchored by two hospitals with 210 and 189 beds, respectively. M*Modal execs last week announced a similar contract with a Texas health system.

Cleaning services franchisor Chem-Dry has added franchise territories in the Chicago and Austin markets as well as in southern Colorado. The company oversees more than 3,500 franchises worldwide.

SEE ALSO: Word earlier this year that Chem-Dry was moving its home base to The Gulch

Community Health Systems said it has completed its acquisition of 330-bed MetroSouth Medical Center near Chicago from a group that includes Franklin neighbor Transition Healthcare. The deal lifts CHS' count in the Land of Lincoln to nine.

SEE ALSO: CHS inks del to buy Chicago-area hospital