Publisher’s Letter: January/February 2010

2009 was a year of ASCs trying to make sure costs and headcounts were in line with business and trying to make sure payor relationships and revenues stayed solid. 2010 is looking like a more strategic year — a time in which ASCs will aggressively try and grow specific service lines and look at more strategic initiatives. We see 2010 as shaping up to be a really interesting year.

We are excited to announce our 8th Annual Orthopedic, Spine, and Pain Management Driven ASC Conference: Improving Profitability Business and Legal Issues Conference scheduled for June 10-12, 2010, to be held on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago at the Westin Hotel. We have 90 sessions, 120 speakers, 30 physician speakers and an outstanding agenda.

Twenty-one of the sample topics are as follows:

1. Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in ASCs – Greg Poulter, MD, Surgeon, Peak One Surgery, Center, and Lisa Austin, RN, CASC, Vice President of Operations, Pinnacle III
2. The Success, Failure and Demise of ASCs: An MD Leaders Perspective – Larry Parrish, Morton Grove Surgery Center, Dave Raab, MD, Morton Grove Surgery Center, and Jeff Visclosky, MD, Morton Grove Surgery Center
3. How to Effectively Measure and Track Patient Quality - David Shapiro, MD, Director of Medical Affairs, AMSURG
4. Key Concepts to Improve the Profitability of Spine Programs – John Caruso, MD, Jim Lynch, MD, Founder Surgery Center of Reno, Moderator, and Jeff Leland, Managing Director, Blue Chip Surgical Partners
5. Hand Surgery in ASCs: Key Concepts for Clinical and Financial Success – R. Blake Curd, MD, Orthopedic Institute, MD, Todd Flickema, SVP, Surgical Management Professionals, and Kyle Goldammer, SVP Finance, Surgical Management Professionals
6. Creating a Spine Center in a Small Community – Daniel Tomes, MD, Introduced by Jeff Leland, Managing Director, Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners
7. How to Improve Pain Management Case Cost and Efficiency – Brannon Frank, MD, Austin Pain Associates
8. Improving ASC Performance Through Innovative Governance Techniques: Michael Grant, MD, Center for Ambulatory Surgery, David Myers, MD, Center for Ambulatory Surgery, and Ravi Chopra, CEO, The C/N Group
9. The Politics of Healthcare Reform – Ron Brownstein, Political Director, Atlantic Media Company
10. A National View of Political Advocacy Efforts and ASCs –Andrew Hayek, CEO Surgical Care Affiliates, Chairman ASC Coalition
11. 5 Keys to Maximizing an Orthopedic Driven ASC’s Returns in a Tough Economy – Brent Lambert, MD, President & Owner, ASCOA
12. The Changing Future of Health Care in the United States – Joe Flower, Healthcare Futurist
13. A Step by Step Guide to Recruiting Orthopedic and Spine Surgeons – Chris Suscha, VP of Business Development, Meridian Surgical Partners
14. Business Planning for Orthopedic and Spine Driven Centers – Tom Mallon, CEO, Regent Surgical Health, and Jeff Simmons, President Western Division, Regent Surgical Health
15. Key Developments that Will Transform the Business of Orthopedic Surgery – John Cherf, MD, Dept. of Orthopedics, The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago
16. 10 Key Concepts: Managed Care Contracting for Orthopedics, and Spine and Pain – Naya Kehayes, CEO, Eveia Health Consulting & Management
17. 10 Keys to Improve Billing and Collections – Caryl Serbin, CEO, Serbin Surgical Center Billing
18. Key Tips for Success: Orthopedics in ASCs – What Works and What Doesn’t – Greg Deconciliis, Administrator, Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites
19. An Analysis of Clinical Outcomes for Spine Procedures Performed in ASCs – Ken Pettine, MD, Loveland Surgery Center
20. Washington Update – Kathy Bryant, ASC Association
21. Recruiting & Syndication of Orthopedic, Pain Management and Spine Surgeons, Updates, Challenges and Strategies – Kenny Spitler, Senior VP Development, Healthmark Partners

Should you have any questions about the conference, please feel free to contact myself or call (800) 417-2035. Also, if registered by Feb. 28, 2010, you are welcome to deduct an additional $100 off the price of admission to the conference.

Should you have any questions, please contact me at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com or (312) 750-6016.