Unicare Health Acquired by Lafitte & Co. and Ember Ridge Equity

Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA || Unicare Health, the California-based home respiratory and medical equipment provider known for its respiratory therapist (RT)-led approach to ventilator management for medically complex pediatric and ALS patients, today announced its acquisition by independent sponsors Lafitte & Co. and Ember Ridge Equity. The transaction closed in January 2026. Terms were not disclosed.

Founded nearly 40 years ago, Unicare has built its reputation on a single, simple promise: expert service delivered with compassion. The acquisition preserves that promise while equipping Unicare with the capital, resources, and operating partnership needed to grow rapidly across the Western United States and serve more families navigating the most complex respiratory diagnoses.

As part of the transaction, Lafitte & Co. founder Scott Vold has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Unicare Health. Unicare's owner-operators Lisa Friedman and Darren Friedman will remain involved as stewards of the company's clinical culture, core values, and patient-first standard of care.

“For nearly four decades, Unicare has put patients at the forefront of everything we do, and that is not changing, it is being given new fuel. In Lafitte & Co., Ember Ridge Equity, and Scott Vold, we found partners who understand what we have built and why it matters. They are not here to reinvent Unicare, they are here to carry the legacy forward. Scott shares a deep commitment to our mission, our employees, and the families who count on us. I trust this team to honor everything our patients, referral partners, and team members have come to expect from Unicare.”

— Darren Friedman, Founder of Unicare Health

“Unicare's clinical excellence and track record of superior patient outcomes are exactly why this company is worth investing in and exactly what we will protect as we grow. Patients come first—that is the standard Darren, Lisa, and the Unicare team set, and it is the standard we will hold. With the support of Lafitte & Co. and Ember Ridge Equity, Unicare is positioned for rapid growth and to establish itself as the premier home respiratory business for patients with complex medical needs across the Western U.S. We will scale what already works: RT-led service, rapid patient onboarding, white-glove responsiveness, and outcomes that let vulnerable patients live full lives at home.”

— Scott Vold, Chief Executive Officer of Unicare Health

Together, Lafitte & Co. and Ember Ridge Equity will partner with the Unicare team to invest in geographic expansion, respiratory therapist recruitment and training, and continued adoption of best-in-class respiratory technology—all in service of the patients and referral partners who rely on Unicare every day.

About Unicare Health

Unicare Health is the premier provider of home ventilator management for complex pediatric and ALS patients. With nearly 40 years of expertise, we deliver high-quality respiratory equipment and supplies through respiratory therapy-led service, from rapid onboarding and setup to dependable resupply, ensuring the best possible patient experiences and outcomes. Guided by our promise of “expert service delivered with compassion,” Unicare empowers vulnerable patients to breathe confidently and live fuller lives, outpacing competitors through unmatched clinical focus, responsiveness, and care. Complex care, delivered simply at home. Learn more at www.unicarehealth.com.

About Lafitte & Co.

Lafitte & Co. is an independent sponsor that acquires exceptional businesses from owner-operators who want a partner committed to preserving their legacy while driving rapid growth. Drawing on hands-on experience as entrepreneurs who have founded, scaled, and exited their own companies, the Lafitte team brings operational expertise and long-term partnership to every investment. Learn more at www.lafitteandco.com.

About Ember Ridge Equity

Ember Ridge Equity is a Chicago-based independent sponsor investing in founder-led companies across business services, consumer services, and healthcare services in the United States and Canada. Built on entrepreneurial roots, the firm provides capital, resources, and expertise to help founders scale their businesses while preserving the culture and relationships that made them successful. Learn more at www.emberridgeequity.com.