Here are 15 ambulatory surgery centers that have recently added new physicians to their medical teams.
If you would like to recommend another surgery center for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com.
Advanced Endoscopy Center (Bronx, New York.). Advanced Endoscopy Center is a gastroenterology and endoscopy-driven ambulatory surgery center. The center is a joint venture between Montefiore Medical Center and physician partners. In October 2013, the center added five physicians. The new physicians include Nancy Chung, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center; Vivek Gumaste, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center; Jeremy Gutwein, MD, of Riverdale Gastroenterology, Ian Harnik, MD, of Gastroenterology & Liver Associates of Riverdale and Neil Herbsman, MD, of Bronx Gastroenterology.
Bellingham (Wash.) Ambulatory Surgery Center. The surgery center recently added ophthalmologists Kristi L. Bailey, MD, and Aaron A. Kuzin, MD. The multispecialty center is affiliated with Symbion, and provides care in a number of specialties such as ENT, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, oral surgery, podiatry and urology.
Central Arkansas Surgical Center (Russellville). Central Arkansas Surgical Center is a multispecialty facility affiliated with Meridian Surgical Partners. Central Arkansas Surgical Center opened in 2010 and in 2014 added ophthalmology as a service line with the addition of ophthalmologist Justin Lieblong, MD. "Recruiting Dr. Lieblong was a coordinated effort and we are excited he has joined our center and that he will be performing his cases using the new Centurion Vision System from Alcon. Earlier this month, Central Arkansas Surgical Center became the first ASC in the central Arkansas area to perform cataract surgery using this state-of-the-art technology," says administrator Audrey Hankins, RN, BSN, CASC.
Georgia Endoscopy Center (Alpharetta). Georgia Endoscopy Center is a single-specialty ASC with a team of six gastroenterologists. The center is a joint venture with North Fulton Hospital. Melvin Bullock, MD, completed his fellowship at the University of Florida in 2013. He was recruited by North Fulton Hospital. "Since being credentialed and privileged in October 2013, he easily transitioned onto our EMR platform and has already begun performing EGD and colonoscopy," says administrator Casey McFarland, MHA.
Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center (Englewood, N.J.). Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center, affiliated with Health East Medical Center, has recruited five new physicians across five different specialties. Arash Emami, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon and performs fusions and laminectomies at the center. Jason Baynes, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon. He performs arthroscopic procedures, total joint replacements and rib replacement procedures at the center. Debra Ibrahim, MD, is a pain medicine physician and performs platelet rich plasma injections and bone marrow injections. The center has also added Venus Chalfin, MD, an OB/GYN physician. Dr. Chalfin focuses on robotic surgery and performs procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy and prolapsed surgery. Plastic surgeon Robert Silich, MD, FACS, has also joined the center. He offers skin graphing, face lifts, liposuction and breast augmentation. The physicians were largely recruited through word-of-mouth and referrals from other physicians.
Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery (Middletown, N.Y.). Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery was founded in 2007 by a small group of surgeons. The center now has a team of more than 30 surgeons across multiple specialties. In September 2013, Richard DeMaio, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist, joined the center's physician team. Dr. DeMaio practices with ENT Allergy Associations at the Fishkill and New Windsor, N.Y., office locations.
Jacksonville Beach (Fla.) Surgery Center. The Symbion-affiliated center recently added James S. Scolapio, MD, a gastroenterologist. Dr. Scolapio serves as chief of the division of gastroenterology and program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at University of Florida College of Medicine — Jacksonville. Additionally, he serves as a professor in the gastroenterology department at University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Scolapio has completed fellowship training in gastroenterology at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla., and he focuses on nutrition support and short bowel syndrome.
La Peer Health Systems (Beverly Hills, Calif.). La Peer Health Systems is a network of outpatient surgery centers that offers 14 surgical specialties ranging from general surgery to spine surgery. In October 2013, La Peer Health Systems added Ali Mahtabifard, MD, a double board-certified general and cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Mahtabifard is the first thoracic surgeon to join La Peer. He heads the Hyperhidrosis Center of Excellence. In January 2014, David P. Magner, a board certified general and colorectal surgeon, joined La Peer Health Systems. Dr. Magner focuses on minimally invasive and laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery.
Orthopaedic Surgery Center of Asheville (N.C.). The center recently added Robert E. Boykin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon focuses on sports medicine and knee, shoulder and hip injuries. The surgery center opened in 2002, and it is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified by Medicare. The 9,000-square-foot center includes three operating rooms. It is affiliated with Symbion and offers treatments in orthopedic, podiatry, hand conditions and spine conditions.
Premier Surgery Center (Brunswick, Ga.). The center recently added pain management physician Kevin Coyle, MD, and ophthalmologist Jack Johnson, MD. The free-standing, multispecialty surgery center is affiliated with Symbion. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified by Medicare. The center provides surgical services in a wide-array of specialties, including general surgery, podiatry, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, urology and neurology.
Puget Sound Surgical Center (Edmonds, Wash.). Six physicians perform procedures at Puget Sound Surgical Center. Jedediah A. Kaufman, MD, is the newest member of the center's team. Dr. Kaufman joined the center in September 2013. He performs advanced laparoscopic bariatric surgery and advanced laparoscopic general surgery. He has training in advanced laparoscopic solid organ, colon, pancreatic and robotic surgery.
Specialty Surgery Center (San Antonio). The surgery center recently added board-certified ophthalmologist Charles Reilly, MD, to its physician team. According to Phillip Santillanes, FACHE, MAM, BBA, ARRT, the surgery center's director, Dr. Reilly provides a wide-array of ophthalmic services including LASIK, PRK, premium cataract surgery, corneal transplants and laser treatments.
Dr. Reilly has served as the Air Force Surgeon General's consultant for refractive surgery, and he has received the Air Force Surgeon Excellence Award. He created the first refractive surgery curriculum for both the Air Force and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio.
Surgery Center of Decatur (Ala.). The surgery center added eight new physicians within the last quarter — two gynecologists, two orthopedic surgeons, two ophthalmologists, one gastroenterologist and one urogynecologist. "In a time when there are many challenges in healthcare, our facility is being proactive and progressive in ensuring our future success," says Jennifer Lathram, administrator of the center. "The success that we have achieved is the result of not becoming complacent and being willing to expand on our existing target market. In addition, we are creating a marketing plan that will display the many positive attributes of the facility, which includes solid clinical outcomes and efficiency, among others."
The Surgery Center of Decatur was established in 2004 through a partnership between Decatur Morgan Hospital and community surgeons. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The medical specialties offered at the center include anesthesiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology and orthopedics.
Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center (Austin). The surgery center recently added hand surgeon Brandon MacKay, MD, who has a professional interest in minimally invasive/endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery and complex hand reconstruction. The center also includes a new partner, John McDonald, MD, who focuses on hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopy and orthopedic sports medicine. He brings in a variety of cases, from rotator cuff repairs to knee arthroscopies, according to Yvonne Powers, CFO of Texas Orthopedics. "Living in Austin has its perks in that physicians are usually seeking us out for partnership opportunities. We currently provide a variety of procedures not limited to pain injections, arthroscopies and carpal tunnels to name a few," says Ms. Powers.
Founded in 2002, Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center is owned and operated by the physicians of Texas Orthopedics. It offers care in numerous specialties, including rheumatology, shoulder, hip and knee, foot and ankle and neck and back. "We've been fortunate to have many candidates who seek us out," says Barbara L. Bergin, MD, a surgeon at the center. "We're a large group, with our own surgery center, in a wonderful community. This is appealing to applicants. We receive inquiries from many highly qualified applicants on a regular basis. We actually have to turn down many people whom we believe would probably be an asset to the group. Additionally, one of the fringe benefits of having new blood in the group, in the form of young doctors just completing their training, is that they still have contacts in training programs, so we have access to applicant pools for positions we need to fill."
Wilmington (N.C.). SurgCare. The surgery center has added eight physicians — Craig N. Lippe, MD, and Douglas Messina, MD, who are orthopedic surgeons; Mathew Mlot, MD, a gastroenterologist; Charles Neuwirth, MD, and Joseph Payne, MD, who are general surgeons; Matej Polomsky, MD, and Christopher Covington, MD, who are ophthalmologists; and Mark Versnick, MD, who is a general surgeon and an endocrinologist. The Symbion-affiliated center offers numerous procedures in anesthesia, ENT, general surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatry, radiology and urology. The center is licensed by the state of North Carolina and certified by Medicare.
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If you would like to recommend another surgery center for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com.
Advanced Endoscopy Center (Bronx, New York.). Advanced Endoscopy Center is a gastroenterology and endoscopy-driven ambulatory surgery center. The center is a joint venture between Montefiore Medical Center and physician partners. In October 2013, the center added five physicians. The new physicians include Nancy Chung, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center; Vivek Gumaste, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center; Jeremy Gutwein, MD, of Riverdale Gastroenterology, Ian Harnik, MD, of Gastroenterology & Liver Associates of Riverdale and Neil Herbsman, MD, of Bronx Gastroenterology.
Bellingham (Wash.) Ambulatory Surgery Center. The surgery center recently added ophthalmologists Kristi L. Bailey, MD, and Aaron A. Kuzin, MD. The multispecialty center is affiliated with Symbion, and provides care in a number of specialties such as ENT, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, oral surgery, podiatry and urology.
Central Arkansas Surgical Center (Russellville). Central Arkansas Surgical Center is a multispecialty facility affiliated with Meridian Surgical Partners. Central Arkansas Surgical Center opened in 2010 and in 2014 added ophthalmology as a service line with the addition of ophthalmologist Justin Lieblong, MD. "Recruiting Dr. Lieblong was a coordinated effort and we are excited he has joined our center and that he will be performing his cases using the new Centurion Vision System from Alcon. Earlier this month, Central Arkansas Surgical Center became the first ASC in the central Arkansas area to perform cataract surgery using this state-of-the-art technology," says administrator Audrey Hankins, RN, BSN, CASC.
Georgia Endoscopy Center (Alpharetta). Georgia Endoscopy Center is a single-specialty ASC with a team of six gastroenterologists. The center is a joint venture with North Fulton Hospital. Melvin Bullock, MD, completed his fellowship at the University of Florida in 2013. He was recruited by North Fulton Hospital. "Since being credentialed and privileged in October 2013, he easily transitioned onto our EMR platform and has already begun performing EGD and colonoscopy," says administrator Casey McFarland, MHA.
Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center (Englewood, N.J.). Health East Ambulatory Surgical Center, affiliated with Health East Medical Center, has recruited five new physicians across five different specialties. Arash Emami, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon and performs fusions and laminectomies at the center. Jason Baynes, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon. He performs arthroscopic procedures, total joint replacements and rib replacement procedures at the center. Debra Ibrahim, MD, is a pain medicine physician and performs platelet rich plasma injections and bone marrow injections. The center has also added Venus Chalfin, MD, an OB/GYN physician. Dr. Chalfin focuses on robotic surgery and performs procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy and prolapsed surgery. Plastic surgeon Robert Silich, MD, FACS, has also joined the center. He offers skin graphing, face lifts, liposuction and breast augmentation. The physicians were largely recruited through word-of-mouth and referrals from other physicians.
Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery (Middletown, N.Y.). Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery was founded in 2007 by a small group of surgeons. The center now has a team of more than 30 surgeons across multiple specialties. In September 2013, Richard DeMaio, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist, joined the center's physician team. Dr. DeMaio practices with ENT Allergy Associations at the Fishkill and New Windsor, N.Y., office locations.
Jacksonville Beach (Fla.) Surgery Center. The Symbion-affiliated center recently added James S. Scolapio, MD, a gastroenterologist. Dr. Scolapio serves as chief of the division of gastroenterology and program director of the gastroenterology fellowship at University of Florida College of Medicine — Jacksonville. Additionally, he serves as a professor in the gastroenterology department at University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Scolapio has completed fellowship training in gastroenterology at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla., and he focuses on nutrition support and short bowel syndrome.
La Peer Health Systems (Beverly Hills, Calif.). La Peer Health Systems is a network of outpatient surgery centers that offers 14 surgical specialties ranging from general surgery to spine surgery. In October 2013, La Peer Health Systems added Ali Mahtabifard, MD, a double board-certified general and cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Mahtabifard is the first thoracic surgeon to join La Peer. He heads the Hyperhidrosis Center of Excellence. In January 2014, David P. Magner, a board certified general and colorectal surgeon, joined La Peer Health Systems. Dr. Magner focuses on minimally invasive and laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery.
Orthopaedic Surgery Center of Asheville (N.C.). The center recently added Robert E. Boykin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon focuses on sports medicine and knee, shoulder and hip injuries. The surgery center opened in 2002, and it is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified by Medicare. The 9,000-square-foot center includes three operating rooms. It is affiliated with Symbion and offers treatments in orthopedic, podiatry, hand conditions and spine conditions.
Premier Surgery Center (Brunswick, Ga.). The center recently added pain management physician Kevin Coyle, MD, and ophthalmologist Jack Johnson, MD. The free-standing, multispecialty surgery center is affiliated with Symbion. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified by Medicare. The center provides surgical services in a wide-array of specialties, including general surgery, podiatry, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, urology and neurology.
Puget Sound Surgical Center (Edmonds, Wash.). Six physicians perform procedures at Puget Sound Surgical Center. Jedediah A. Kaufman, MD, is the newest member of the center's team. Dr. Kaufman joined the center in September 2013. He performs advanced laparoscopic bariatric surgery and advanced laparoscopic general surgery. He has training in advanced laparoscopic solid organ, colon, pancreatic and robotic surgery.
Specialty Surgery Center (San Antonio). The surgery center recently added board-certified ophthalmologist Charles Reilly, MD, to its physician team. According to Phillip Santillanes, FACHE, MAM, BBA, ARRT, the surgery center's director, Dr. Reilly provides a wide-array of ophthalmic services including LASIK, PRK, premium cataract surgery, corneal transplants and laser treatments.
Dr. Reilly has served as the Air Force Surgeon General's consultant for refractive surgery, and he has received the Air Force Surgeon Excellence Award. He created the first refractive surgery curriculum for both the Air Force and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio.
Surgery Center of Decatur (Ala.). The surgery center added eight new physicians within the last quarter — two gynecologists, two orthopedic surgeons, two ophthalmologists, one gastroenterologist and one urogynecologist. "In a time when there are many challenges in healthcare, our facility is being proactive and progressive in ensuring our future success," says Jennifer Lathram, administrator of the center. "The success that we have achieved is the result of not becoming complacent and being willing to expand on our existing target market. In addition, we are creating a marketing plan that will display the many positive attributes of the facility, which includes solid clinical outcomes and efficiency, among others."
The Surgery Center of Decatur was established in 2004 through a partnership between Decatur Morgan Hospital and community surgeons. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The medical specialties offered at the center include anesthesiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology and orthopedics.
Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center (Austin). The surgery center recently added hand surgeon Brandon MacKay, MD, who has a professional interest in minimally invasive/endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery and complex hand reconstruction. The center also includes a new partner, John McDonald, MD, who focuses on hip, knee, and shoulder arthroscopy and orthopedic sports medicine. He brings in a variety of cases, from rotator cuff repairs to knee arthroscopies, according to Yvonne Powers, CFO of Texas Orthopedics. "Living in Austin has its perks in that physicians are usually seeking us out for partnership opportunities. We currently provide a variety of procedures not limited to pain injections, arthroscopies and carpal tunnels to name a few," says Ms. Powers.
Founded in 2002, Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center is owned and operated by the physicians of Texas Orthopedics. It offers care in numerous specialties, including rheumatology, shoulder, hip and knee, foot and ankle and neck and back. "We've been fortunate to have many candidates who seek us out," says Barbara L. Bergin, MD, a surgeon at the center. "We're a large group, with our own surgery center, in a wonderful community. This is appealing to applicants. We receive inquiries from many highly qualified applicants on a regular basis. We actually have to turn down many people whom we believe would probably be an asset to the group. Additionally, one of the fringe benefits of having new blood in the group, in the form of young doctors just completing their training, is that they still have contacts in training programs, so we have access to applicant pools for positions we need to fill."
Wilmington (N.C.). SurgCare. The surgery center has added eight physicians — Craig N. Lippe, MD, and Douglas Messina, MD, who are orthopedic surgeons; Mathew Mlot, MD, a gastroenterologist; Charles Neuwirth, MD, and Joseph Payne, MD, who are general surgeons; Matej Polomsky, MD, and Christopher Covington, MD, who are ophthalmologists; and Mark Versnick, MD, who is a general surgeon and an endocrinologist. The Symbion-affiliated center offers numerous procedures in anesthesia, ENT, general surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain management, plastic surgery, podiatry, radiology and urology. The center is licensed by the state of North Carolina and certified by Medicare.
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