SAN DIEGO — Alan Braynin, the visionary founder and CEO of Aya Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare staffing companies, has died, the company confirmed Monday.
Braynin, who built San Diego-based Aya Healthcare from the ground up, leaves behind a legacy of innovation, leadership, and profound impact on the healthcare industry. Under his stewardship, Aya grew into the largest healthcare staffing firm in the U.S., revolutionizing how hospitals and clinics filled vital roles—from short-term assignments to permanent placements.
“Alan’s innovations across business and healthcare improved countless lives and communities,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “His legacy of passion, brilliance and kindness will continue to impact all who knew him.”
Braynin founded Aya Healthcare in 2001 with a bold mission: to modernize and humanize the way healthcare professionals were recruited and supported. Through cutting-edge technology and a people-first approach, he transformed Aya into a trusted partner for healthcare systems nationwide, especially during high-stakes periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when the company helped deploy critical staff to overwhelmed hospitals across the country.
In addition to his business acumen, Braynin was known for his philanthropy and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. Colleagues and partners described him as not only a sharp strategist, but a compassionate leader who placed care—both for patients and healthcare professionals—at the heart of his work.
“Alan was more than a CEO,” the spokesperson added. “He was a transformative figure in healthcare, a mentor to many, and a deeply respected voice in the staffing industry.”
Braynin’s passing marks a significant loss for the healthcare community, particularly at a time when his vision for responsive, flexible medical staffing has become more essential than ever.
Aya Healthcare has not yet released information regarding succession or memorial services, but said it remains committed to continuing Braynin’s mission of supporting clinicians and improving care delivery across the country.
Braynin is remembered not only as a leader, but as a person who changed lives—through innovation, generosity, and an enduring belief in the power of people.