Todd Currier is the first president of the Wyoming Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, which recently announced its formation.
Q: How long have there been plans to create a state ASC association in Wyoming?
Todd Currier: The ASCs throughout the state have discussed a formal association for many years now and were close to getting one formed about five years ago. The current emphasis for an association started about six months ago.
Q: Why are you starting the Association now?
TC: The current emphasis of our state association is: 1) the need for an exchange of information and collaboration of ideas relating to the ever changing requirements that ASCs are facing; 2) the need for educational opportunities within our state relating to business operations, clinical operations, benchmarking within the state and regulatory issues; and 3) creating a unified focus on the quality, safety, efficiencies and high patient satisfaction that the ASC industry provides to the healthcare consumers in Wyoming.
Q: Why do you think it is important for Wyoming ASCs to have such representation?
TC: Like many other states, our ASCs face issues getting educational opportunities and benchmark information that is helpful to our operations. We want to promote the many benefits of ASCs to the public and our legislators, and to provide a collaborative venue that will only enhance the quality of our centers. ASCs are an essential piece to the healthcare industry as we provide top-notch quality and safe care, have high patient satisfaction, as well as being cost efficient. The Wyoming ASC Association is focused on ensuring that ASCs continue to thrive throughout the state as a viable option for Wyoming patients.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in the first year of the Association?
TC: We want to hold an annual conference to provide educational opportunities to our members, as well as create an email forum to exchange ideas regarding policies and procedures, operational ideas, benchmarking and adherence to regulatory issues that arise.
Q: What do you see as some of the top issues facing Wyoming ASCs that you would like to address?
TC: Each and every ASC throughout the state is unique in its operations, but I believe as we evolve we will find the commonalities amongst us and be able to address the most pressing issues that we are faced with. Certainly some of the top issues revolve around the continued education for regulatory changes, Medicare changes and educating the public and legislators on how ASCs are essential and vital to our healthcare environment.
Q: For Wyoming ASCs that are not members yet, what would you say to them about the benefits of joining the Association?
TC: The greatest benefit of becoming a Wyoming ASC Association member is the ability to network with your peers, obtain information that is specific to Wyoming and to participate in the collaboration of ideas and enhancement opportunities that will be provided through the Association.
Q: How can these ASCs learn more about joining?
TC: We hope to get a website and email forum working soon. In the meantime, those interested can contact any of our board members: Todd Currier (President) —tcurrier@wir.net, (307) 587-2139; Michelle Kioschos (Vice President) —mm@kioschos.com, (307) 688-8600; Donna Suchor (Secretary) —dsuchor@cfsewy.com, (307) 682-1911; JoAnne Robichau (Treasurer) — robichaujm@uspi.com; (307) 733-8677); David Carter (At Large) — rcarter@vcn.com, (307) 672-7874.
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