Posted 08/16/2021
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Merakey Announces Acquisition of Dallas-Fort Worth Pediatric Home Care Agency Small Hands, Big Hearts
The acquisition will name Small Hands, Big Hearts Co-founder, Melissa Gutzmer Executive Director of new Merakey company.
DALLAS (August 13, 2021) – Merakey, a national nonprofit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services, announced today the acquisition of Dallas-Fort Worth pediatric home health agency, Small Hands, Big Hearts Pediatric Therapy Management, LLC (SHBH). Effective immediately, it will be recognized as Small Hands, Big Hearts, A Merakey Company and will continue serving clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio region. SHBH co-founder, Melissa Gutzmer, will serve as Executive Director for the new organization, and will lead the transition of current staff and business operations to Merakey.
“I’m excited to welcome Small Hands, Big Hearts to the Merakey family,” said Merakey CEO Joe Martz. “The model of service that Small Hands, Big Hearts has created is centered on exceptional individualized care and has allowed them to become a trusted and reliable provider of therapeutic services for youth and their families. Together, we can continue to support the Dallas-Fort Worth region and all of Texas with the same level of care.”
Founded in 2010, SHBH provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy to children and young adults from birth to age 21 at home or at private school settings. With a diverse and bilingual (Spanish-speaking) staff, SHBH serves individuals in 19 counties in Dallas-Fort Worth and 28 counties in the San Antonio area, with an office location in Bedford, TX. Following a motto of “Helping Every Angel Reach Therapeutic Success,” SHBH has worked with more than 1,000 individuals since their opening.
“Small Hands, Big Hearts is an established provider of care for individuals in this region and we are proud to have them join Merakey,” said Merakey’s Senior Vice President of Children and Family Services Rebecca Mann. “As an organization, they have demonstrated a clear commitment to serving individuals and helping them to reach personal success with exceptional therapeutic service and compassion. With a shared focus on supporting the individual, their work is a complement to our existing services in Texas.”
“In partnering with Merakey, I knew that our children would be supported and cared for by an organization that was competent and compassionate,” said Gutzmer. “This acquisition will provide Small Hands, Big Hearts with a forever home and I’m excited that it is with Merakey.”
Merakey, which is headquartered in Pennsylvania, currently has an Autism Center in Fort Worth, TX that offers autism and behavioral health services for children and their families.