The U.S. health care sector is facing a significant anesthesiologist shortage, with a projected deficit of nearly 8,450 by 2037, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. To help address this while further supporting the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) space, U.S. Anesthesia Partners Inc. (USAP) and Nova Southeastern University (NSU) are expanding their current partnership to introduce a new anesthesia training program. “We’re taking a multifaceted approach to scaling … [Read more...]
South Florida Orthopedic Surgeon Launches Innovative Recovery Program to Heal Patients Faster, Eliminate Opioid Use
A new phase of post-operative recovery is emerging for patients in South Florida. Dr. H. Kurtis Biggs, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of The Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, is setting a new standard in post-operative care with the launch of “The Secret Sauce” — a comprehensive, concierge-style recovery program for hip and knee replacement patients. The program is the result of an evolution in his practice, according to Biggs. “My focus has always been on hip and knee … [Read more...]
ASCs Focus on Culture, Staffing Flexibility Amid Unprecedented Health Care Leadership Turnover
Hospital and outpatient surgery center leadership has experienced unprecedented turnover in 2025, caused by economic pressures, technological demands and a shifting workforce culture. As CEO and similar departures rise, organizations are adopting new strategies to stabilize teams and maintain continuity. Through July 2025, hospital CEO exits rose nearly 15% year over year. This occurs even as the overall rate of CEO turnover across industries begins to slow, according to a report from … [Read more...]
ASC Leadership Roundup: Optim Surgery Names New Administrator; Staten Island University Appoints Total Joint Program Director
Optim Surgery Center names new administrator Optim Health System has appointed James Barnes as surgery center administrator for Optim Surgery Center in Savannah, Georgia. Barnes will oversee daily operations, clinical performance and administrative functions. Barnes returns to Optim with more than a decade of clinical and operational experience in surgical services. His career has included roles as a Level 1 trauma nurse, pain management supervisor at Optim, and in DaVinci robotic surgical … [Read more...]
Compass Surgical CFO John Hammack: ASC Growth Demands Transparency
John Hammack has joined the executive team at Compass Surgical Partners as chief financial officer. Hammack’s appointment is anticipated to strengthen the company’s ability to launch, operate and expand high-performing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) for physician and health system partners. Hammack has led multi-site businesses through successful transformations and steady organic growth, according to Compass. His expertise includes consumer services, technology, real estate and health … [Read more...]
Ophthalmology ASC Player Unifeye Vision Partners Names New CEO
Unifeye Vision Partners (UVP), a growing ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operator in the ophthalmology sector, is shaking up its leadership as it navigates a consolidation wave in the outpatient surgery space. The company on Sept. 29 announced that Mark Garvin will take over as CEO, succeeding Martin Rash, who will shift into the role of executive chairman. Garvin brings more than 30 years of health care experience into the role, including senior positions at Banner Health and a nearly … [Read more...]
From Dental and Behavioral Health to ASCs: How Chris Fromme’s Diverse Background Is Shaping Compass Surgical Partners’ Next Chapter
The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry is entering a new era – one that’s marked by higher-acuity care, increasingly complex joint ventures and an urgent need for infrastructure that can support rapid growth. Compass Surgical Partners is betting that a multi-sector operator with experience in both scaling and transformation is the right person to help lead that charge. The ASC management and development company recently named Chris Fromme as its new chief operating officer. Fromme … [Read more...]
Where ASC Leaders Plan to Invest in 2026
Already looking ahead to 2026, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders are making plans for where they’ll put their dollars to work. Outpatient demand continues to climb, and with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) steadily opening the door to more procedures in the ASC setting, operators are thinking carefully about how to match that growth with the right investments. To get a better sense of what’s on the radar of surgery centers, ASC News asked operators to pull … [Read more...]
Compass Surgical Partners Taps Chris Fromme as COO at ‘Transformative Moment for the ASC Industry’
Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) development and management company Compass Surgical Partners is beefing up its leadership team. Compass announced on Sept. 9 that ASC industry veteran Chris Fromme has been named to the COO role. Fromme’s more than 25 years of health care experience includes stops at ASCs, dental practices and behavioral health organizations, Compass noted in its announcement. Fromme most recently served as CEO of Star Dental Partners. He held the COO role at Behavioral … [Read more...]
‘We’ve Quietly Built a Strong Portfolio’: Solara Using ‘Boutique Approach’ to Scale Its ASC Network Nationally
One 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 … [Read more...]