** Clinical services provider Cross Country Healthcare's
shares rise 62.7% to $18.16
** CCRN says peer Aya Healthcare will buy it in an all-cash deal for $18.61 per share, representing a total equity value of about $615 mln
** Aya and CCRN will continue to operate as separate brands, the companies say
** After deal, CCRN will become a private company
** The deal represents a premium of 66.8% to CCRN's closing price on Dec. 3
** Deal expected to complete in H1 2025
** Including session's moves, stock has fallen 19.7% YTD
(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)
((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))