While every year brings new challenges and opportunities, 2024 has been especially interesting for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and the patients they serve. The narratives shaping this year include the ongoing shift of higher-acuity procedures into the ASC setting and continued workforce challenges, especially around anesthesiology capacity. Storylines defining 2024 also include robust M&A and joint venture activity, including rumors swirling around one of the largest ASC operating … [Read more...]

It has been a busy summer for AMSURG, one of the largest ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators in the country.  In the past three months, the Nashville, Tennessee-based company, which operates a network of approximately 250 surgery centers nationwide, announced several new joint ventures across a range of specialties in California, Oregon and Nevada.  And there are more partnerships in the pipeline, according to AMSURG Chief Operating Officer Keith Hennegan.  Hennegan recently … [Read more...]

Cardiovascular Logistics has named Kristen Richards as vice president of ambulatory care, aiming to enhance support for its cardiac catheterization labs, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and office-based labs (OBLs). Richards, with over 20 years of health care experience, previously served as VP of cardiovascular operations at Atlas Healthcare Partners. “ASCs need to ensure they have the right staff, technology and accreditation to perform [cardiac] procedures safely,” Richards told ASC … [Read more...]

Compass Surgical Partners, an independent full-service ambulatory surgery center (ASC) development and management partner, has announced the appointment of Darcy Smith as the company's first chief people officer (CPO). Smith will report directly to Chief Executive Officer DJ Hill. Smith's appointment comes at an important juncture for Compass, as the company experiences substantial growth through expansive partnerships with major health systems. To support the scaling operations and the … [Read more...]

Regent Surgical has added a key C-suite executive to its leadership team. The Franklin, Tennessee-based ASC operating company named Christa Blumenshine as its next CFO on June 18. Prior to joining Regent, Blumenshine served as CFO of AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, a private equity-backed consolidator of 210 veterinary practices. Blumenshine has also held roles at U.S. Renal Care and United Surgical Partners International (USPI). “Our partners consistently cite our leadership team’s … [Read more...]

DISC Sports & Spine Center has partnered with Dr. James B. Chen, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee joint replacement. Chen is nationally recognized for his work in advanced technology and robotic techniques, giving DISC confidence in the total joint replacement program he is introducing at its Newport Beach, California, facility. DISC Sports & Spine Center provides comprehensive care in spine, orthopedics, pain management and sports medicine. With surgery centers … [Read more...]

W. Mark Wainner has been elected president of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), the industry group recently announced. Alexandria, Virginia-based ASCA is a national trade association that represents more than 6,200 Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the United States. The group plays an important role in working with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and lawmakers to shape ASC policy – a mission that has grown in importance as … [Read more...]