Becker’s Healthcare -- Ambulatory Surgery Centers Podcast

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Omar Khokhar, Managing Partner, Illinois GastroHealth. Dr. Khokhar discusses the growing demand for GI care, strategies to navigate workforce shortages, the role of artificial intelligence in improving colonoscopy outcomes, and how financial transparency can strengthen trust between patients and providers.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Janet L. Carlson, Vice President of Ambulatory Operations, Commonwealth Pain & Spine. Janet shares insights on emerging trends in outpatient spine and orthopedic care, from smart implants and digital patient engagement to financial transparency and strategies for retaining top clinical talent.

This episode features Todd Currier, Administrator at Bend Surgery Center, sharing insights on key trends shaping the ASC industry, including mergers and acquisitions, expanding procedure types, and the growing role of technology and robotics in surgical care. Todd also discusses strategic growth plans and the ongoing need for advocacy in reimbursement policies.

This episode features Dr. Tan (Dan) Chen, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Geisinger, as he shares insights on advancing minimally invasive spine techniques, the promise of endoscopic surgery and systemic challenges facing rural healthcare. He also discusses emerging technologies in implant design, motion-preserving surgery and the potential role of AI in standardizing spine care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Sarah Carson, Administrator, Ascentist ASC Merriam, LLC. Sarah discusses her center’s rapid growth since opening during COVID, their strong focus on pediatric care, and future plans to expand services through additional locations and increased pain management offerings.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Omkar Baxi, Orthopedic Hand Surgeon at Mid Atlantic Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Baxi discusses the evolving role of ASCs, the promise of AI in clinical workflows, and how financial transparency and patient engagement are reshaping orthopedic care delivery.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. Vinay Belamkar, CEO of Apollo Pain Center. Dr. Belamkar shares his insights on the challenges of chronic pain care, staffing in a competitive market, the evolving role of ASCs, and how AI and value-based care models are shaping the future of independent practices.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Levi Scheppers, CEO, Sequel Ortho, and Jason Ficken, Managing Partner, Quadriga Partners. They discuss how cultural alignment, physician-led decision making, and a long-term growth strategy are redefining private equity partnerships in musculoskeletal care.

This episode is sponsored by Quadriga Partners.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features John Russell, Director, Area Operations, Sutter Health System Office. John discusses strategies to improve patient access, optimize surgery center utilization, expand hours of operation, and support sustainable growth in response to rising demand across the system.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Sean Gipson, CEO of Remedy Surgery Centers. He shares insights on payer market disruption, workforce recruitment strategies, ASC growth in orthopedics, and the transformative role of AI in operations and billing.