Dr. Omar Khokhar, Managing Partner, Illinois GastroHealth

Armen Voskeridjian, Director of Anesthesia Services at Jefferson Surgery Center at The Navy Yard, joins the podcast to share insights from his recent foot and ankle study, including key findings and implications for patient care. He also discusses breakthroughs in outpatient surgery, particularly around the use of narcotics, and highlights the trends he’s following that are shaping the future of the ASC space.

In this episode, Ashley Hilliard, MBA, MSN, RN, CPAN, Administrator of Piedmont Outpatient Surgery Center, shares insights on new ASC procedure codes, reimbursement challenges, and the impact of North Carolina’s changing certificate of need laws on future growth.

Paula Ferrada, MD, FACS, FCCM, MAMSE, Chair of the Department of Surgery at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus (IFMC), Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia, Division and System Chief of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery, and Medical Director of Perioperative Services at IFMC, highlights her focus on driving long-term success. She emphasizes viewing failure as a learning opportunity, building a culture of trust, and the importance of fostering community within an organization.

In this episode, Mark Mayo, CASC, Administrator at Associated Surgical Center, discusses the top challenges and opportunities for ASCs today. He shares insights on physician independence, regulatory changes, and how outpatient surgery centers can prepare for growth in a shifting healthcare landscape.

In this episode, Dr. Xiaofei Zhou, Associate Program Director of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals, discusses her journey into endoscopic spine surgery, her priorities for advancing education and patient care, and how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of minimally invasive spine procedures.

Kathy Meccia, RNBC, BSN, CNOR, CRCST, Nurse Administrator at Lake George Surgery Center, shares her perspective on transitioning from hospital settings to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). She offers practical tips for running a successful surgery practice and discusses projected growth for the center in the coming months.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Dr. John Lucio, Regional Chief Medical Officer, SSM Health. He discusses supply chain challenges, payer dynamics, workforce strategies, and the growing role of AI, wearables, and outpatient surgery in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Bruce Feldman, Administrator, Eastern Orange Ambulatory Surgery Center. He shares insights on the shift of higher acuity cases to ASCs, innovative workforce recruitment and retention strategies, and how health systems and vendors are shaping the next chapter of outpatient care.

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference features Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Medical Director, UW Health Pain Services. Dr. Abd-Elsayed discusses reimbursement challenges, workforce shortages, the rapid growth of outpatient care, and innovations such as minimally invasive procedures and enhanced perioperative pain management that improve outcomes and efficiency.

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.