Image by ha11ok from PixabayOne of the more recent joint ventures in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) landscape is the partnership between Solara Surgical Partners and Orlando Health, announced in July.
Initially, the JV will strengthen Florida’s ASC ecosystem. But the partnership between Solara and Orlando Health also sets the stage for expansion into other markets across the U.S., executives told ASC News.
“This JV marks an important milestone for Solara – not only in terms of growth but in reinforcing our commitment to collaborative, physician-first partnerships that deliver real impact,” Chad Sandvig, president and COO of Solara, told ASC News. “As we move through the remainder of 2025, we’re laser-focused on expanding our operational footprint, recruiting aligned physician leaders, and deepening relationships with health systems seeking more agile, ASC-focused development models.”
Founded in 2007, Solara has developed, managed, or supported more than 50 ASCs nationwide, with partnerships spanning several states already.
“Solara Surgical Partners was founded with a clear vision: to develop and manage physician-led ambulatory surgery centers with a boutique, results-driven approach,” Sandvig said. “What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to preserving physician autonomy while delivering operational and long-term strategic value.”
The company specializes in de novo development, acquisitions and joint ventures.
“While we’ve kept a low profile, we’ve quietly built a strong portfolio of high-performing centers,” Sandvig explained. “In addition to our newest partnership with Orlando Health, we’ve had success with affiliations across Oklahoma, Arizona, Alabama, Texas and Florida, among other states, with a strong focus on outpatient cardiology, orthopedics and multispecialty development.”
Under the Orlando Health joint venture, Solara will serve as what Sandvig called the “operational engine,” providing the planning, management and development framework to help Orlando Health scale its outpatient surgery network.
The “boutique approach” allows Solara to be “nimble, responsive, and aligned with both the health system and physician partners,” the COO noted.
The immediate focus will be on optimizing Orlando Health’s current ASC footprint across Florida. Several established centers in key metro areas will serve as the foundation for growth.
Then, expansion will move into other regions where outpatient demand is climbing, Sandvig said.
“The joint venture will initially focus on optimizing and expanding the existing ASC footprint across Florida, starting with several established centers in key metro areas,” Sandvig said. “From there, we are targeting strategic markets both within and outside of Florida, where the demand for high-quality, cost-effective outpatient care is growing — particularly in underserved or high-growth regions.”
A not-for-profit health system based in Orlando, Florida, Orlando Health serves communities across Central and Western Florida. Its network includes more than 20 hospitals and emergency departments, plus a mix of outpatient assets, specialty practices and affiliated physician groups.
“Our national expansion strategy includes looking at both de novo builds and select acquisitions in states where we can leverage physician relationships and create meaningful, sustainable access to care,” he continued. “Regions of interest include the Southeast, Southwest, and certain high-growth suburban markets where we can align with like-minded physician groups and health systems.”
Beyond geographic growth, Solara is investing in tools to support long-term success, Sandvig said.
“We’re also investing in technology — including our proprietary analytics platform, Solara Analytics — to help centers drive performance, identify trends, and scale efficiently,” he said.
For Sandvig, the ultimate measure of success comes down to balance.
“At the end of the day, our success is measured by patient outcomes, physician satisfaction, and center profitability — and we’re proud to be building a model that balances all three.”
