Grand Blanc, Michigan-based McLaren HealthCare has taken another step in growing its regional footprint with the acquisition of Clarkston Medical Group (CMG), a well-established network of primary and specialty care clinics in Oakland County. For healthcare employers considering international nurse recruitment and for foreign-trained nurses looking for U.S. healthcare opportunities this type of strategic expansion is a strong signal of continued demand for qualified clinical professionals.
At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm focused exclusively on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses, we follow these developments closely. Transactions like McLaren’s acquisition of Clarkston Medical Group often translate into new hiring needs, expanded service lines, and increased reliance on global nurse recruitment strategies using visas such as the EB-3 green card, H-1B, TN (for Canadian and Mexican nurses), and other employment-based options.
McLaren HealthCare Acquires Clarkston Medical Group
Clarkston Medical Group, a respected provider in northern Oakland County for more than 60 years, includes 11 clinics and 54 providers delivering care to tens of thousands of patients in Clarkston and surrounding communities. According to a news release shared in February, CMG officially joined McLaren HealthCare on December 31.
Under the new structure, CMG will operate within McLaren Community Based Primary Care Group, a newly formed entity that functions as a subsidiary of McLaren Medical Group. Importantly, Clarkston Medical Group will retain its current clinical and support staff, ensuring continuity of care and preserving its community-focused model while gaining the backing and resources of a larger health system.
Renny Abraham, MD, CEO of Clarkston Medical Group, highlighted that CMG has been driven by a mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare for more than six decades. By joining McLaren, CMG expects to expand resources, deepen clinical collaborations, and offer patients broader access to specialty care.
Growing Systems, Growing Staffing Needs
When a health system like McLaren integrates a group of clinics such as Clarkston Medical Group, it typically expands:
- Patient volume and service demand
- Care coordination across primary and specialty care
- Infrastructure for chronic disease management and population health
- Opportunities for new programs and extended hours
All of this can increase the need for nursing staff from primary care and family practice nurses to specialty nurses in cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, and internal medicine. In a tight labor market, many U.S. hospitals and medical groups are turning to international nurse recruitment as a long-term staffing solution.
For healthcare HR leaders, physician group administrators, and hospital executives, this kind of acquisition is a good moment to revisit workforce planning. If domestic nurse supply is not keeping pace with expansion, an international nursing immigration strategy can help fill persistent gaps while maintaining quality and continuity of care.
Why International Nurses Matter in Community-Based Care
Community-based primary care groups like McLaren’s new subsidiary depend on nurses to sustain patient relationships and manage high volumes of routine and complex cases. Internationally educated nurses often bring:
- Significant clinical experience from high-acuity settings abroad
- Multilingual skills that improve communication in diverse communities
- Cultural competence that supports patient engagement and compliance
- Flexibility and adaptability in multi-site clinic networks
In areas like Oakland County, where populations are increasingly diverse, foreign-trained nurses can also help bridge cultural and language barriers. This is particularly valuable in large systems like McLaren HealthCare as they integrate additional clinics and expand their reach.
Immigration Options for Healthcare Organizations Hiring Nurses
VisaMadeEZ works with healthcare organizations nationwide – including hospitals, medical groups, and long-term care facilities – to design and execute compliant international nurse recruitment programs. For employers involved in mergers or acquisitions, it’s especially important to align immigration strategy with corporate structure and growth plans.
Common immigration pathways for international nurses include:
1. EB-3 Immigrant Visa (Employment-Based Third Preference)
- A popular route to U.S. permanent residency (green card) for registered nurses.
- Allows healthcare organizations to build long-term staffing stability.
2. TN Visa (for Canadian and Mexican Citizens)
- Available to qualified registered nurses under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA).
- Often used for faster onboarding of Canadian or Mexican nurses, when applicable.
3. H-1B Visa (in limited, specialized cases)
- May be available for advanced practice nurses or highly specialized nursing roles.
4. Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing Strategies
- For nurses already in the U.S. in another immigration status.
- For nurses outside the U.S. who need consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
When health systems grow as McLaren has done with its acquisition of Clarkston Medical Group they often need a scalable, compliant framework for sponsoring international nurses across multiple locations and entities. That includes careful attention to:
- Corporate structure and who is the “petitioner” on visa petitions
- Worksite locations and whether clinics are in the same metropolitan statistical area
- Wage and prevailing wage considerations for different counties or regions
- Credentialing, licensing, and NCLEX timing for foreign-trained nurses
Strategic Benefits of Planning Immigration Around Growth
For a system like McLaren HealthCare, adding a network of clinics such as CMG can be a catalyst to formalize or expand an international nurse recruitment program. Benefits to healthcare employers can include:
- Predictable staffing pipelines to meet future patient demand
- Reduced dependence on agency/travel nurses and fluctuating contract rates
- Enhanced retention with foreign nurses who often commit to long-term roles
- Improved access to specialized skill sets, especially in high-need areas
For international nurses, mergers and acquisitions can offer:
- Access to larger, more sophisticated health systems
- Opportunities to work in both primary care and specialty clinics
- Clearer career progression and professional development pathways
- Greater stability when sponsored by a well-established healthcare organization
How VisaMadeEZ Supports Healthcare Organizations and International Nurses
VisaMadeEZ focuses exclusively on immigration for the healthcare sector, with a particular emphasis on helping hospitals and healthcare organizations hire international nurses ethically, efficiently, and compliantly.
Our services for healthcare employers include:
- Designing immigration strategies that align with system growth, mergers, and acquisitions
- Handling EB-3, TN, and other relevant visa filings for nurses and certain allied health professionals
- Advising on worksite structure, corporate entities, and multi-location practices
- Guiding HR and credentialing teams on immigration-related compliance
For international nurses, we provide guidance on:
- Understanding U.S. nurse immigration options and realistic timelines
- Coordinating with prospective employers on visa sponsorship
- Preparing for licensing, NCLEX, and credential evaluation
- Navigating both consular processing and adjustment of status where applicable
Looking Ahead: Expansion and International Recruitment Go Hand in Hand
McLaren HealthCare’s acquisition of Clarkston Medical Group underscores a broader trend in U.S. healthcare: consolidation, expansion of outpatient and community-based care, and a growing need for a reliable clinical workforce.
As systems grow and absorb new clinics, the demand for registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and specialized nursing staff is unlikely to diminish. International nurse recruitment done thoughtfully and in compliance with U.S. immigration law can be a powerful tool to support that growth.
If your hospital or medical group is expanding, acquiring new practices, or preparing to launch new service lines and you anticipate nurse staffing challenges, VisaMadeEZ can help you develop a tailored immigration strategy.
Contact VisaMadeEZ to learn how we support healthcare organizations nationwide in sponsoring international nurses and building stable, long-term nursing teams that keep pace with organizational growth.
