Key Stats
Founded: 1994 (as Dun & Bradstreet subsidiary); renamed DaVita in October 2000
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
CEO: Javier Rodriguez (since 2019)
Employees: Approximately 67,000 worldwide
NYSE Ticker Symbol: DVA
DaVita Inc. operates as the second-largest kidney dialysis provider in the United States, serving over 200,000 patients through 2,675 outpatient centers domestically. The company holds a 37% share of the U.S. dialysis market and provides treatment for end-stage renal disease patients who require dialysis multiple times per week.
The company operates through two main segments: U.S. Dialysis and Related Lab Services, and Other-Ancillary Services and Strategic Initiatives. DaVita also maintains international operations across 11 countries with 367 additional outpatient centers serving approximately 49,400 patients abroad.
DaVita generated $12.82 billion in revenue during 2024. The company trades on the New York Stock Exchange and maintains its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Berkshire Hathaway holds a significant ownership stake in the company.
DaVita History
DaVita traces its origins to 1994 when the company emerged as a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet. The original entity focused on dialysis services before undergoing several transformations. A leveraged buyout by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners in August 1994 resulted in a name change to Total Renal Care Holdings.
The company went public in October 1995, raising $107 million through its initial public offering. A failed acquisition of Renal Treatment Centers in 1998 led to near bankruptcy and leadership turnover. Kent Thiry joined as CEO in October 1999 and transformed the struggling company into an industry leader.
1994
Company established as Dun & Bradstreet subsidiary providing dialysis services. Later acquired by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners for $75.5 million.
1995
Initial public offering completed, raising $107 million. Company renamed Total Renal Care Holdings.
1998
Acquired Renal Treatment Centers for $1.3 billion in stock. Integration challenges followed.
1999
Kent Thiry appointed CEO in October. Company near bankruptcy with stock down 71% year-to-date.
2000
Company renamed DaVita Inc. in October. The name derives from Italian phrase meaning “giving life.”
2005
Acquired Gambro Healthcare for $3.05 billion, doubling the number of dialysis centers to over 1,200.
2011
International expansion began with operations extending to 14 countries outside the United States.
2012
Acquired HealthCare Partners for $4.42 billion, expanding into integrated care services.
2019
Javier Rodriguez became CEO. Sold DaVita Medical Group to UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division for $4.3 billion.
2025
Celebrating 25th anniversary of the DaVita name. Operating over 3,000 centers globally serving 250,000+ patients.
DaVita Key Leaders
Kent Thiry
Transformational CEO from 1999 to 2019. Rescued the company from near bankruptcy and grew revenues from $1 billion to $11 billion.
Javier Rodriguez
Current CEO since 2019. Joined DaVita in 1998 and previously led DaVita Kidney Care operations. Harvard Business School MBA graduate.
Joel Ackerman
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2019. Oversees financial operations and investor relations for the company.
DaVita Competitors
DaVita competes primarily with Fresenius Medical Care, which holds a 38% market share in the U.S. dialysis market. Together, these two companies treat approximately 75% of all outpatient dialysis patients in the country. Smaller regional providers and hospital-based units comprise the remaining market.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Services |
|---|---|---|
| Fresenius Medical Care | Bad Homburg, Germany | Dialysis Services, Dialysis Products |
| U.S. Renal Care | Plano, Texas | Outpatient Dialysis Services |
| American Renal Associates | Beverly, Massachusetts | Dialysis Centers, Physician Partnerships |
| Satellite Healthcare | San Jose, California | Non-profit Dialysis Services |
| Dialysis Clinic, Inc. | Nashville, Tennessee | Non-profit Dialysis Care |
| Baxter International | Deerfield, Illinois | Renal Care Products, Peritoneal Dialysis |
| Centers for Dialysis Care | Cleveland, Ohio | Non-profit Dialysis Services |
| Renal Ventures Management | Maywood, New Jersey | Dialysis Center Management |
| Universal Health Services | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | Healthcare Facilities Management |
| HCA Healthcare | Nashville, Tennessee | Hospital Systems, Healthcare Services |
DaVita Revenue
DaVita reported $12.82 billion in total revenue for 2024, representing a 5.6% increase from $12.14 billion in 2023. Revenue growth stems from Medicare rate increases, improved revenue cycle management, and growth in hospital inpatient dialysis services.
DaVita Annual Revenue (in Billions USD)
DaVita Acquisitions
DaVita has pursued aggressive acquisition strategies to expand its dialysis network and service offerings. The company’s growth trajectory changed dramatically through strategic purchases of competitor operations and healthcare service providers.
The 1998 acquisition of Renal Treatment Centers for $1.3 billion in stock proved challenging. Integration difficulties contributed to leadership changes and financial distress that nearly bankrupted the company. Kent Thiry’s arrival in 1999 stabilized operations before the next major expansion.
In October 2005, DaVita completed its transformative acquisition of Gambro Healthcare for $3.05 billion in cash. This purchase added approximately 520 dialysis centers and 39,000 patients to the DaVita network. The deal doubled the company’s operational footprint and established DaVita as a major industry player.
The 2012 acquisition of HealthCare Partners for $4.42 billion represented a strategic expansion beyond dialysis services. HealthCare Partners provided integrated care and disease management services, diversifying DaVita’s healthcare portfolio. This unit was renamed DaVita Medical Group in 2016.
DaVita sold DaVita Medical Group to Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group, for $4.3 billion in June 2019. This divestiture refocused the company on its core kidney care business. More recent acquisitions include the Everett Clinic Medical Group in 2016 for $385 million and Colorado Springs Health Partners in 2014, adding physician practices to support integrated care initiatives before the Optum sale.
DaVita Marketcap
DaVita maintains a market capitalization of approximately $9 to $10 billion as of late 2025. The company’s market value has fluctuated significantly over the past decade, reflecting business divestitures, regulatory challenges, and broader healthcare industry trends.
DaVita Market Capitalization (in Billions USD)
FAQs
When was DaVita founded?
DaVita originated in 1994 as a Dun & Bradstreet subsidiary. The company adopted the DaVita name in October 2000 after Kent Thiry’s turnaround efforts transformed the struggling dialysis provider.
Who is the CEO of DaVita?
Javier Rodriguez serves as CEO of DaVita since 2019. He joined the company in 1998 and previously led DaVita Kidney Care operations before assuming the top leadership position.
What does DaVita mean?
DaVita derives from an Italian phrase meaning “giving life” or “he gives life.” Employees voted on the new name in May 2000 as part of the company’s cultural transformation under Kent Thiry.
How many dialysis centers does DaVita operate?
DaVita operates over 2,675 outpatient dialysis centers in the United States and 367 additional centers across 11 other countries. The network serves approximately 250,000 patients worldwide.
What is DaVita market share in the U.S. dialysis industry?
DaVita holds approximately 37% of the U.S. dialysis market, making it the second-largest provider. Fresenius Medical Care leads with 38% market share. Together they treat 75% of U.S. dialysis patients.