Becker Business Podcast: "Healthcare Private Equity, and Setting the Agenda for the Year Ahead with Holly Buckley of McGuireWoods LLP"

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Holly Buckley, Chair, McGuireWoods Healthcare Department

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker is joined by Holly Buckley, a leading attorney at McGuireWoods specializing in the intersection of healthcare and private equity. The discussion centers around the importance and impact of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, strategies for yearly goal-setting within organizations, and a preview of the upcoming 23rd annual McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity Conference. The conversation provides insiders’ perspectives on critical healthcare trends, leadership in turbulent times, and what drives success and growth in the industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Significance of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

[00:14 – 03:09]

• Industry Kickoff: Holly describes the JP Morgan Conference as “really the kickoff of dealmaking every year…both a painful and wonderful experience.”
• Networking & Deal-Making: Despite challenging weather and crowds, she values the chance to reconnect with industry professionals to “discuss what folks' priorities are, what their observations are about the market, and what their goals are for the year.”
• Team Collaboration: Holly will attend with colleagues from McGuireWoods, discussing hot topics like FDA trends, investment strategies, and emerging sectors (women’s health, men’s health, longevity).
• Notable Quote:

  "It is just a great kickoff to the year and a chance to visit with and get invigorated about the dealmaking environment for the year."
  — Holly Buckley [02:57]

2. Healthcare Sector Issues to Watch in 2026

[03:09 – 04:20]

• Sectoral Diversity: Holly points out the diversity in the healthcare sector, with both struggling and thriving sub-sectors.
• Opportunity Amid Challenge: There’s notable interest in capitalizing on both growth and distress within healthcare.
• Forthcoming Trends: Certain sector “books” will be released at JP Morgan, serving as conversation starters at the conference.
• Deferral of Predictions:

  “My preference is let's put a pin in it and in three weeks let's talk about everything that we've seen and heard.”
  — Holly Buckley [03:57]

3. Organizational Goal Setting for the New Year

[04:20 – 07:45]

• Fluid Goals: Holly stresses that goals should be dynamic—“a window in time”—and adapt to unexpected developments, such as the rapid emergence of AI.
• Collaborative Philosophy: Goals in her department are developed collectively and require buy-in from the team.
• Ownership Culture:

  "It's critical that people have ownership over their own goals and you're not doing that for them."
  — Holly Buckley [07:04]

• Balance of Specificity: Some goals are broad and visionary, while others are precise and measurable.

4. What Inspires Excitement for 2026

[07:45 – 09:16]

• Priority on Growth: Holly is most excited by “growth for the group and recruiting,” targeting a 50% expansion over the next three years.
• Strategic Hires: Recent success in recruitment has created a strong foundation, and she aims to “accelerate that growth next year and onto the next kind of three to five years beyond that.”

5. Preview: 23rd Annual McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity Conference

[09:16 – 10:55]

• Industry Comparison: Holly refers to the conference as “kind of a mini JP Morgan conference.”
• Event Details:
  • April 29–30, 2026, at the Ritz Carlton, Chicago
  • Pre-conference workshop on April 28
  • Website: healthcareprivateequity.com
• Attendees: Lenders, investors, operators, investment bankers, and others across healthcare private equity.
• Networking & Substance: “Books are launched at our conference…We have deep dive substantive tracks and really great networking evening events.”
• Notable Quote:

  "It really is just a chance for like-minded health care private equity folks from all facets to get together and talk dealmaking and strategy and socialize and hopefully have some fun."
  — Holly Buckley [10:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the JP Morgan Conference:

  “For JP Morgan, it is both a painful and wonderful experience.”
  — Holly Buckley [01:36]

• On Goal-Setting:

  "I think of the goal setting exercise as a window in time..."
  — Holly Buckley [05:36]

• On Growth:

  "We want to grow that by a good 50 plus percent over the next three years with the right types of people in the right types of areas."
  — Holly Buckley [08:34]

• On Conference Energy:

  “People come here to deal make. Books are launched at our conference. It's a really key networking event.”
  — Holly Buckley [10:06]

Key Timestamps

• 00:14 — Introduction of Holly Buckley and episode agenda
• 01:27 — Holly discusses the importance and dynamic of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference
• 03:36 — Anticipated issues and unpredictability in healthcare in 2026
• 04:58 — Approaches to goal setting for the new year
• 06:50 — Granularity and ownership in goal-setting
• 08:18 — Holly shares excitement about group growth and recruiting
• 09:34 — Preview of the McGuireWoods Healthcare Private Equity Conference and its industry role
• 10:55 — Closing remarks and appreciation

Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is collegial, optimistic, and grounded in the practical realities of healthcare finance. Holly Buckley emphasizes adaptability, collaborative leadership, and the importance of strategic growth and networking events in shaping both the internal culture of her team and the broader healthcare private equity landscape.

This summary captures the core of the episode, providing valuable insights for listeners interested in healthcare, private equity, or organizational leadership heading into 2026.