Frist Cressey Ventures has launched a new $425 million fund focused on early-stage health tech and artificial intelligence companies, in partnership with major health systems such as MedStar Health in Columbia, Maryland, and OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio.
While this news is big for the venture capital world, it also carries an important message for hospitals and healthcare organizations looking to hire international nurses: the U.S. healthcare sector is preparing for rapid innovation and long-term growth, and the demand for skilled nursing talent both domestic and international is poised to grow with it.
At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm that specializes in helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses, we watch these developments closely because they directly impact workforce planning, visa strategies, and international nurse recruitment.
What Frist Cressey’s $425M Fund Means for Healthcare
Frist Cressey Ventures, a healthcare-focused venture capital firm, recently closed its oversubscribed fourth fund on February 18, bringing its total assets under management to nearly $1 billion. This new fund will target early-stage companies working in:
- Healthcare technology
- Artificial intelligence (AI) for clinical and operational improvement
- Innovative care delivery models
- Tools that support clinicians and health systems
MedStar Health and OhioHealth are not just passive investors they are strategic partners. They will collaborate with Frist Cressey to pilot, refine, and implement new technologies designed to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and support healthcare providers on the front lines.
Bill Sheahan, senior vice president and chief innovation officer of MedStar Health and executive director of the MedStar Institute for Innovation, emphasized that there has never been a greater opportunity to use technology to tackle complex healthcare challenges. According to Sheahan, working with Frist Cressey helps MedStar identify meaningful innovations and focus time and capital on the solutions that truly matter.
OhioHealth is taking a similar approach. Jesse Longoria, senior vice president and chief strategy and growth officer, highlighted that the partnership brings both strategic value and strong investment returns. More importantly, it helps OhioHealth anticipate emerging trends “see around corners” and bring innovative opportunities into the organization.
Innovation, Technology, and the Growing Need for International Nurses
This major investment in healthcare innovation doesn’t reduce the need for nurses it reinforces it. As U.S. health systems adopt more advanced technology and AI, they will still depend heavily on experienced nurses to:
- Deliver direct patient care
- Operate and interpret digital tools and AI-driven systems
- Integrate new technology into everyday clinical workflows
- Provide the human judgment and compassion no algorithm can replace
The reality is that the United States continues to face a nursing shortage, driven by:
- An aging population requiring more complex care
- Burnout and turnover among existing staff
- Increased demand for telehealth and technology-enabled services
- Expansion of value-based care and population health initiatives
As health systems invest in cutting-edge tools using funds like Frist Cressey’s, they will need a stable, skilled nursing workforce to make these tools effective. That’s where international nurse recruitment becomes a strategic solution, not just a short-term fix.
How VisaMadeEZ Helps Healthcare Organizations Hire International Nurses
VisaMadeEZ is an immigration law firm dedicated to helping hospitals, health systems, and long-term care providers hire international nurses legally, efficiently, and compliantly. We understand both the regulatory side of immigration law and the operational realities of running a healthcare organization in today’s changing environment.
We assist healthcare employers with:
- Employment-based immigrant visas (including EB-3 for registered nurses)
- Nonimmigrant visa options where appropriate
- Strategic planning for international nurse recruitment
- Regulatory compliance and documentation
- Ongoing immigration support and counsel for healthcare HR and leadership teams
Our focus is on creating long-term, sustainable staffing solutions that support patient care, organizational growth, and innovation initiatives.
Why Planning for International Nurse Hiring Matters Now
With venture capital firms like Frist Cressey Ventures injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into health tech and AI, forward-thinking health systems are planning for the future not just in terms of technology, but also in terms of workforce.
Here’s why health systems should be thinking about international nurse hiring today:
1. Technology Doesn’t Replace Nurses – It Elevates Their Role
As digital health tools become more prevalent, nurses are often the ones who integrate these tools into patient care. International nurses with strong clinical skills can be trained to work effectively with new platforms and AI-driven systems.
2. Immigration Timelines Require Early Action
Sponsoring international nurses for U.S. immigration benefits takes time. Health systems that begin the process now will be better positioned to meet future staffing needs as their innovation initiatives scale up.
3. Competitive Advantage in a Tight Labor Market
Organizations that adopt a structured, compliant strategy for international nurse recruitment will be better able to stabilize staffing, reduce overtime and burnout, and support the successful adoption of new technologies funded by investments like Frist Cressey’s.
Bridging Innovation and Workforce: The Role of Immigration Law
The healthcare organizations partnering with Frist Cressey Ventures are focused on strategic innovation. To fully realize the benefits of that innovation, they also need a strong, diverse, and reliable nursing workforce.
VisaMadeEZ sits at the intersection of these trends:
- We help healthcare organizations build a sustainable pipeline of international nursing talent.
- We ensure immigration strategies align with long-term business, technology, and patient-care goals.
- We provide guidance so that HR teams and leadership can integrate international nurses into a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
For health systems looking to follow the lead of MedStar Health, OhioHealth, and other innovation-focused organizations, aligning immigration planning with technology and investment strategy is no longer optional it’s essential.
Prepare Your Organization for the Future of Healthcare
The message behind Frist Cressey Ventures’ $425 million fund is clear: healthcare innovation is accelerating, and systems that adapt early will be better positioned for success. That adaptation isn’t just about AI, apps, and analytics it’s also about people.
If your hospital or healthcare organization is considering hiring international nurses, now is the time to build a proactive immigration strategy.
VisaMadeEZ can help your organization:
- Design a compliant, scalable international nurse recruitment program
- Navigate complex immigration rules with confidence
- Align staffing and immigration planning with your broader innovation and growth objectives
To learn how our immigration law firm can support your healthcare organization in hiring international nurses and preparing for the future of care, contact VisaMadeEZ today.
