Planned leadership transition builds on the last seven years of significant growth and positions the organization for its next phase of expansion.
MIAMI LAKES, Fla., [October 21, 2026] — Elevate ENT Partners ("Elevate" or the "Company"), a leading physician-led management support organization (MSO) of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and allergy practices and a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity, today announced that Liz Rodriguez, currently President, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James Polfreman, who will retire following 6 years of leadership and significant organizational growth at Elevate.
The announcement marks an exciting milestone in Elevate's evolution and reflects a thoughtfully planned leadership succession designed to build on the Company's strong foundation and continued momentum.
Since its formation in 2019, Elevate has grown into a leading network of ENT and allergy practices, expanding its geographic footprint across Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee, strengthening physician partnerships, and investing in the infrastructure and resources needed to support high-quality patient care.
"Leading Elevate through its formative years and watching it grow into the organization it is today has been an extraordinary privilege," said Polfreman. "Our success is a testament to our exceptional physicians, talented teams, and shared commitment to outstanding patient care. We welcomed Liz to Elevate with this leadership transition in mind, and I am confident that her experience, vision, and collaborative approach make her the ideal leader to guide our next chapter."
Rodriguez joined Elevate as President in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of experience partnering with physicians and scaling healthcare organizations. Over the past year, she has worked closely with Elevate's executive team and physician leaders to strengthen operational performance, advance strategic initiatives, and position the organization for continued growth.
Prior to joining Elevate, Rodriguez held senior leadership positions at DaVita, IntegraMed Fertility, and Axia Women's Health, and served as Chief Executive Officer of Qoros Health. Throughout her career, she has focused on building high-performing teams, strengthening physician partnerships, and developing operational models that support sustainable growth and exceptional patient experiences.
"I'm honored to take on this role and build upon the tremendous foundation our teams have established," said Rodriguez. "I've spent my career working alongside physicians, and I believe deeply in giving exceptional clinicians the resources and support they need to thrive."
"Liz understands that our success starts with supporting the physicians who care for our patients," said Dr. Jonathan Cooper, Chief Medical Officer of Elevate ENT Partners. "Her commitment to physician collaboration, clinical autonomy, and removing barriers to care will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our practices, expand access, and deliver exceptional patient outcomes."
The planned succession follows years of steady top- and bottom-line growth under Polfreman's leadership. During his tenure, the Company has established a scalable platform with more than 100 locations that empowers physicians to maintain clinical independence while benefiting from the strength and support of a larger organization.
"James has built an exceptional platform with a strong foundation for continued growth, and we're grateful for his leadership," said Adam Abramson, Partner with Audax Private Equity, which invested in Elevate in 2019. "Liz brings the strategic vision, operational expertise, and leadership experience to take Elevate to the next level. We're confident in her ability to accelerate growth, strengthen performance, and capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead."
About Elevate ENT Partners
With more than 170 physicians and 100+ locations across four states, Elevate ENT Partners is a leading physician-led management support organization dedicated to helping independent ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and allergy practices thrive. Backed by Audax Private Equity, Elevate provides the operational expertise, resources, and infrastructure that enable physicians to maintain clinical independence, grow their practices, and focus on delivering exceptional patient care. Through its expanding network of physician partners, Elevate is committed to eliminating barriers to quality care and advancing the future of independent specialty medicine.
For more information, visit www.elevateent.com.
Media Contact:
Kelly Raible
Chief Marketing Officer
Elevate ENT Partners
[email protected]
