Schedule
Networking Reception
February 17, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM ET
 
Conference
February 18, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET
February 19, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET

Location
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Breakfast & Networking

8:00 - 9:00 AM

9:00 - 9:10 AM

9:15 - 9:45 AM

10:15 - 11:00 AM

9:45 - 10:15 AM

12:00 - 1:00 PM

After a record-breaking year in behavioral health M&A in 2021, the question going into 2022 was could it possibly last. Especially with inflation, rising interest rates, and the unrest In Ukraine. Tapping into our proprietary transaction database and in-depth conversations with strategic and financial buyers alike, we’ll answer this question and discuss which segments may be hot, which ones may be cooling, and what we expect over the next 6-12 months.

2:00 - 3:00 PM

Dexter Braff
President
The Braff Group

SOLD OUT

Your Company Name Here

11:30 - 12:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

John Lamberth
Senior Vice President, Development
AMSURG

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Don Ritucci 
Head of Healthcare M&A Oppenheimer

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

Scott Fraser 
Founder and Managing Partner Fraser Healthcare

February 17-19, 2025  ^•    Bonita Springs, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will  the Ambulatory Surgery Center News Investment & Operations Conference be held?
The event will be held on February 17-19, 2025 at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Which ticket type should I purchase?
Provider tickets are for owner, operators, and care providers. Vendor tickets are for vendors and professional firms providing products, services and capital to the ASC industry. 

What is the refund policy?
We will refund up to 45-days out from the event. No exceptions.

My company or organization owns or is an active investor in a provider. Which ticket type can I purchase?
If your organization owns or invests in a provider or providers in this space, your firm is classified as a private equity investor. If you wish to get the provider pricing, you would need to use that organization's email system/domain to register for the ticket to qualify as a provider. No exceptions.

Are you offering hotel accommodations?
We have a  room block at  Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.  Please click here to access our room block. 

How do I contact the organizer?
Email us at events-healthcare@wtwhmedia.com. 

Have upcoming event dates been announced?
Click Here to see all upcoming ASC Events.

Are there kosher meals or other dietary options at the event? 
Please email events-healthcare@wtwhmedia.com for more information.

9:00 - 9:30 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

March 12, 2024

February 19, 2025

12:00 PM

In this 30-minute panel conversation, C-suite executives from three autism treatment providers will discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the field. The goal: to give attendees the understanding of what it will take to thrive as a business in autism in 2024 – and beyond.

From government programs to commercial payers and cash-pay, this 30-minute panel will explore the latest SUD payment trends (including value-based care developments) among providers and payers.

Whole-person care as a trend has defined health care over the last several years. That’s increasingly true in the autism industry as well. In this panel, providers and payers will speak to how fully integrated, multi-channel care models are shaping today’s cutting-edge autism programs.

11:00 - 11:30 AM

1:00 - 1:30 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Dr. Benjamin Zaniello
Chief Medical Officer PointClickCare

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Dr. Samit Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
 Ascension

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

Edie Calamia
Chief Medical Officer
Aetna Medicaid

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies

Ticket Prices
Early Bird Provider: $600
Early Bird Vendor: $1,000

Jennifer Riha
CSO
I Am Boundless

Maks Danilin
CRO
Guardian Recovery

Robert M. Poznanovich 
Chief Business Growth Officer Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Jeffrey Flynn
President, Gramercy Group and the New York State Association for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (NYSAASC)

Wes Battiste
CEO and Founder
Destin Surgery Center

Dr. Adam Hahs
Chief Science Officer
Hopebridge

Mike Miller
Caravel Autism Health
CEO

Cooper Zelnick
Chief Revenue Officer  Groups Recover Together

© Ambulatory Surgery Center News 2024

Hotel Accomodations
Please click here to access our room block at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

February 18, 2025

1:30 - 2:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Dr. Benjamin Zaniello
Chief Medical Officer PointClickCare

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Dr. Samit Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
 Ascension

Dr. Jason M. Cuéllar M.D.
 Surgeon
Cuéllar Spine

Jessica Roberts-Becerra  
Co-founder and Managing Partner
 Vertex Surgical Solutions

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies

3:00 - 3:30 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Dr. Benjamin Zaniello
Chief Medical Officer PointClickCare

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Dr. Samit Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
 Ascension

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies

Jessica Roberts-Becerra  
Co-founder and Managing Partner
 Vertex Surgical Solutions

3:30 - 4:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Dr. Benjamin Zaniello
Chief Medical Officer PointClickCare

Ben Dittman
SVP Partnerships
Kipu Health

Dan Hilferty Jr.
CEO 
Project Manifesto

Eric Gremminger
CEO
ERPHealth

Ling Shao
Founder & CEO
SpectrumAi

Dr. Samit Desai
Chief Medical Information Officer
 Ascension

Justin Funches
President
LEARN Behavioral Health

As part of the Biden administration’s health care goals, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has steadily carved more behavioral health services into the Medicare program – or proposed action to do so in the not-so-distant future. In this conversation, three Medicare experts will provide an overview of behavioral health within Medicare, including what’s likely to happen next.

While behavioral health providers and payers both say they’re eager to move toward value-based care, the two parties aren’t always on the same page. During this panel, attendees will hear about the biggest dos and don’ts for value-based care contracting.

Behavioral health is increasingly being woven into primary care models, and the provider groups at the leading edge of value-based care are placing it front and center within their risk-taking strategies

Jessica Roberts-Becerra  
Co-founder and Managing Partner
 Vertex Surgical Solutions

9:30 - 10:00 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

10:00 - 10:30 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

10:30 - 11:00 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

11:00 - 11:30 AM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As M&A in behavioral health continues to accelerate, Polsinelli’s Behavioral Health Law Group will discuss some of the top legal issues that can make or break your next behavioral health transaction.  Drawn from some of the most prominent behavioral health transactions over the past year, this is a session you will not want to miss!

Christopher Wolfington
Founder & Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer
FinPay

Yusuf Sherwani
Co-Founder & CEO
Quit Genius

Samir Malik
CEO
firsthand

Jeff Richardson
COO & VP, Community Services
Sheppard Pratt Health Systems

Katie DiPerna Cook
SVP, Partnerships
Headspace Health

Melissa Reilly
Chief Growth Officer
Evernorth Behavioral Health

Candace Richardson
Principal 
General Catalyst

 Value-based care is shaping the health care investment strategies of venture capital and private equity firms alike. This panel will look out how and why that’s the case, with a focus on behavioral health.

Successful value-based care models are able to respond and adapt to patient needs. In this panel, attendees will hear from providers on how they’ve built fully integrated care delivery models to thrive in value-based care frameworks.

Several industry challenges have slowed value-based care adoption within the autism treatment space. Some providers and payers have made progress, however.

Heather Richards 
Chief Financial Officer
Atlas Healthcare Partners

Rachel Carey
Counsel, Whiteford
Taylor & Preston LLP

Lisa Austin 
Health Care Consultant, Avanza Healthcare Strategies; Board Officer,
Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)

Corey Ridgway
Vice President of Ambulatory Services Ascension Health 

Erik Kraemer
Chief Development Officer
Ascension Health

William Teague
Managing Director 
VMG Health

Wes Battiste
CEO and Founder
Destin Surgery Center