19th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference

Written by Jaimie Oh | June 20, 2012

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19th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference

October 25-27, 2012

Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Wacker Drive

Learn more about the 19th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference!

This exclusive ASC conference brings together surgeons, physician leaders, administrators and ASC business and clinical leaders to discuss how to improve your ASC and its bottom line and how to manage challenging clinical, business and financial issues.

Highlights include:
- 91 Sessions, 138 Speakers
- Great Keynote Speakers including Tony La Russa, one of Major League Baseball’s greatest managers; Howard Dean, governor and former DNC Chairman; and Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary
- Keynote panels led by Suzy Welch, best-selling author, popular television commentator and noted business journalist
- Great Participants From All Over the Country
- Business, Clinical and Legal Issues

To Register: Call 800-417-2035 • Fax 866-678-5755 • Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To download the conference prospectus, click here (pdf).
To download the conference brochure, click here (pdf).

Presentations Now Available
Copies of the presentations for the 19th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers Conference are now available via links below. Clicking "All" will allow you to download a ZIP file that includes all of the presentations for that day. Clicking "Individual" will open a window listing the presentations which you can download on an individual basis. The presentations are named by their start time, speaker's last name(s) and then an abbreviated title. If you experience problems with any of the links or have questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Thursday Presentations: All (.zip); Individual (directory listing)

Friday Presentations: All (.zip); Individual (directory listing)

Saturday Presentations: All (.zip); Individual (directory listing)

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Swissotel has set aside special group rates for conference attendees. To make a reservation, click here.
Swissotel
323 E. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 1-888-737-9477
Fax: 1-312-565-0540
Group name: ASC Communications Inc
Conference Group Rate: $299 Single/Double

Keynote Speakers:

Tony La Russa — With his Championship win at the 2011 World Series over the Texas Rangers, recently retired St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa goes down in history as one of Major League Baseball’s greatest managers. In total, he led his teams to six league championships and three World Series titles, while ranking third in all-time major league wins. As a player, La Russa made his major league debut with the Kansas City Athletics in 1963. After a shoulder injury the following off-season, he spent most of his career in the minor leagues. His final big-league appearance came in 1973 with the Cubs, however he continued to play in the minor leagues until 1977. Following the end of his playing career, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University College of Law.

La Russa made his managerial debut in 1978 with the Knoxville Sox of the Southern League. By 1979, he was managing the Chicago White Sox and was named the 1983 Manager of the Year; the first of four such awards ('83, '88, '92, '02). He left the Chicago White Sox in 1986 and successful seasons followed with the Oakland Athletics (1986 – 1995) and finally the St. Louis Cardinals (1996-2011). La Russa has received many accolades throughout his successful career. He is one of only four managers to be named Manager of the Year in both of baseball's major leagues, in 2010 he became the longest tenured manager in Major League Baseball, and he is currently the winningest manager in St. Louis Cardinals history.

An animal lover, La Russa and his wife Elaine are the founders of Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, which saves abandoned and injured animals and arranges animal visits to hospitals, senior centers and disadvantaged children. Tony La Russa is exclusively represented by IMG Speakers for speaking engagements. For more information please visit www.imgspeakers.com.

Howard Dean — Governor Howard Dean, former DNC Chairman, presidential candidate, six term Governor and physician, currently works as an Independent consultant focusing on the areas of health care, early childhood development, alternative energy and the expansion of grassroots politics around the world.

Dean also serves as a CNBC contributor and is the founder of Democracy for America. Dean began his career in public service in 1982 when he transitioned from a full-time practicing physician to an elected representative in Vermont. Dean served as Governor for 12 years - the second longest serving in the state.

Respected on both sides of the political aisle, Dean was chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Democratic Governors' Association, and the New England Governors' Conference while he served as Governor of Vermont. Dean left office in Vermont to run for President in 2003 where he implemented innovative fundraising strategies such as use of the Internet.

As chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Dean created and implemented the “50 State Strategy” and the development of 21st century campaign tools. Dean is credited with helping Democrats make historic gains in 2006 and 2008. Under his leadership, significant resources were dedicated to revitalizing the Party by building and strengthening the organizational tools, technological capabilities and infrastructure required to win while laying the foundation for a long-term Democratic majority.

Before entering politics, Dean graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in political science in 1971, and received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City in 1978. Upon completing his residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, he went on to practice internal medicine in Shelburne, Vermont. He is married to Dr. Judy Steinberg and they have two children, Anne and Paul.

Ari Fleischer — As former White House press secretary, Ari Fleischer was the primary spokesperson for President Bush and delivered the daily White House briefings from 2001 to 2003. He previously served as the senior communications advisor and spokesman for the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign. In his almost four years working for George W. Bush, he served as spokesman during the historic presidential recount, September 11, two wars and the anthrax attack. His best-selling book, Taking Heat, details his years in the White House and reached #7 on The New York Times best seller list. He is a political analyst for CNN.

Prior to joining Governor Bush’s campaign, Fleischer was the national spokesman and communications director for Elizabeth Dole’s presidential campaign. In November 1994, Fleischer was hired as communications director by the House Committee on Ways and Means after Republicans took control of the Congress. He also served as press secretary to New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici from 1989 to 1994. From 1983 to 1989, Fleischer served as press secretary to two members of Congress from New York and worked on several political campaigns.

Fleischer is a native of Pound Ridge, New York and a 1982 graduate of Vermont’s Middlebury College. Now president of his own firm, Ari Fleischer Communications Inc., he offers advice to clients in the corporate and sports world on how to handle the press.

Fleischer has provided counsel to clients such as Major League Baseball, the Women’s Tennis Association, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association and has conducted media training with seven National Football League teams, all the National Football League head coaches as well as media training to NASCAR. He has also done media training for several individual athletes. He resides in Westchester County with his wife, Becki, and their two children.

Suzy Welch — Suzy Welch is a best-selling author, popular television commentator, and noted business journalist.

Her New York Times bestselling book, 10-10-10: A Life Transforming Idea, presents a powerful decision-making strategy for success at work and in parenting, love and friendship. 10-10-10 became an instant success and is now published in 29 countries worldwide, and an updated version has been released in paperback. In addition she has been widely featured in major media outlets including The Today Show and Time Magazine.

Together with her husband Jack Welch, Suzy is also co-author of the #1 international bestseller Winning, and its companion volume, Winning: The Answers. Since 2005, they have written business columns for several publications, including Business Week magazine, Thomson Reuters digital platforms, Fortune magazine, and the New York Times syndicate.

The Welches have also launched the “Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University,” a unique online MBA and certificate program aimed at giving students around the world and at every career level the tools to transform their lives and the organizations of the future.

On her own, Suzy has written extensively about work-life balance and other cultural issues for publications ranging from O, The Oprah Magazine to The Wall Street Journal. In addition, her candid and incisive commentary has made her a popular commentator on television programs including Good Morning America, The View, Morning Joe, Your World With Neil Cavuto, and Power Lunch.

Born in Portland, Oregon, Suzy received her BA from Harvard University in 1981 and then joined The Miami Herald as a reporter. She left daily journalism to attend Harvard Business School, where she graduated as a Baker Scholar in 1988. Suzy joined the Harvard Business Review in 1995 and was named editor-in-chief in 2001. During her tenure at HBR, Suzy was the author of numerous articles on leadership, change, creativity and organizational behavior, as well as the contributor to several books on management.

Conference Sponsors:
Gold sponsors
VMG Health - Corporate Partner — VMG Health is recognized by leading healthcare providers as one of the most trusted valuation and transaction advisors in the United States. VMG's experience is unparalleled and their credentials are unmatched. Whether circumstances call for a comprehensive valuation, the sale or acquisition of a facility, or joint-venture development assistance, VMG Health offers a unique and in-depth understanding of the relationships, requirements and business issues that surround today's healthcare facilities. Along with performing hundreds of ASC valuations each year, VMG maintains the most comprehensive database on ASC financial benchmarking statistics. VMG's annual benchmarking study, the Intellimarker, provides decision makers with real information to measure and improve the value of their centers. For healthcare organizations seeking to grow, maximize profitability or form new relationships, having a partnership with financial experts who thoroughly understand the value drivers in today's healthcare industry is absolutely essential.

Surgical Care Affiliates - Corporate Partner — SCA's vision is to be the partner of choice for physicians, hospitals, and health systems in developing and operating ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals across the country and in enhancing hospital-based surgical departments. SCA owns and/or provides management services to 145 ambulatory surgery centers, surgical hospitals, and hospital surgery departments, in partnership with approximately 2,000 physicians and in affiliation with 30 health systems across the country. SCA's clinical systems, service line growth strategies, benchmarking processes, and efficiency programs create measurable advantage for surgical facilities – clinically, operationally, and financially. For more information on SCA, visit www.scasurgery.com.

Laser Spine Institute - Corporate Partner — is the leader in endoscopic spine surgery and provides a safe and effective alternative to open back and neck surgery. Through endoscopic spine surgery, Laser Spine Institute is expanding healthcare options for patients and is helping them achieve a better quality of life. Laser Spine Institute treats a variety of spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, bone spurs, bulging/herniated discs and sciatica. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., Laser Spine Institute employs nearly 500 health professionals at its four regional surgical centers in Tampa, Fla., Scottsdale, Ariz., Philadelphia and Oklahoma City. For more information, visit http://www.laserspineinstitute.com.

National Medical Billing Services - Tony La Russa Keynote — National Medical Billing Services concentrates strictly on providing billing and coding solutions for ambulatory surgery centers and is the fastest growing company in the industry. National Medical Billing Services is a nationally focused company with clients in over thirty-five states.

Merritt Healthcare - Howard vs. Ari Fleischer Keynote — Founded in 2001, Merritt Healthcare is an owner-operated manager and developer of ambulatory surgery centers. Quality, experience, attention to detail, and professionalism are the hallmarks of Merritt’s services. Merritt principals also maintain an active advisory service working for both hospital & ASC clients interested in acquiring or selling outpatient facilities. As owner/operators of outpatient facilities, Merritt principals offer a unique perspective to Clients interested in buying or selling ASCs, endoscopy centers or surgical hospitals. To date Merritt has completed over $100mm in transactions. Currently Merritt has 9 ASCs under management or development and has sold 3 of its own ASCs to national companies and hospitals since 2008.

United Surgical Partners International - Thursday Evening Networking Reception — United Surgical Partners International is your trusted partner in short-stay surgical facilities. With over 200 facilities in the United States, we have extensive experience in managing successful centers focused on high quality patient care. Founded on the three-way joint-venture model (hospital-physician-management company), over 60 percent of our facilities are owned with local not-for-profit health systems along with our physician partners. Partnering with USPI provides management strength with individual attention to your facility. For more information, visit www.uspi.com.

Wolters Kluwer Health - ProVation Medical - USB Drives — Wolters Kluwer Health is a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Serving more than 150 countries and territories worldwide, Wolters Kluwer Health’s customers include professionals, institutions and students in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools, journals and textbooks and electronic information providers, such as UpToDate®, Medi-Span®, Facts & Comparisons®, Pharmacy OneSource®, Lexicomp® and ProVation® Medical. For more information visit http://www.provationmedical.com/home2.aspx.

SourceMedical - Tote bags — SourceMedical is a leading provider of outpatient information solutions and billing services (through its Revenue Cycle Solutions division), collectively serving ASCs and surgical hospitals by offering end-to-end systems to improve operational efficiency and cash flow while empowering healthcare facilities to deliver a higher standard of patient care.

Outpatient Healthcare Strategies - Tote bags — Outpatient Healthcare Strategies is a diverse group of professionals that possess extensive industry knowledge along with first hand operational experience. Our team is uniquely qualified and has the expertise to provide your organization with a wide range of consulting and management services for Hospitals, HOPD's, and Ambulatory Surgery Centers. We are prepared to quickly respond to your specific needs and provide you with solutions that improve your operations. Opening Doors... Securing Futures...

Boss Surgical Group - Friday Reception, Pens and Escalator — Boss Surgical Group specializes in Surgical Center Management, Staffing, Billing, Procurement, Legal Services and underperforming center restructuring. Please visit us in the foyer at Booth #9.

Surgery Partners - Mobile App — Surgery Partners is the industry leader in managing, developing and acquiring single and multi-specialty ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Whether you are interested in selling a portion of your existing ASC, or are interested in building a new facility, we can help you provide high-quality care, make better decisions, grow your revenue and improve your bottom line through our proven expertise. As your partner, we dedicate a team to help your ASC grow and prosper, while assuring the best outcomes for surgeons and patients alike. Through innovation, flexibility and a customer-centric approach, we are passionate about enabling our physician partners to provide the best possible experience and outcome for their patients.

Issio Solutions - Friday Luncheon — Issio Solutions is the only cloud-based and mobile device-enabled EMR platform designed and engineered exclusively for ambulatory surgery centers. This revolutionary ONC-ATCB-Certified Modular EMR provides ASCs with immediate real-time online access to critical information. OR schedules, pertinent medical history and safety alerts are delivered instantly and securely to every desktop and mobile device, as well as to flat screen TVs located throughout the ASC. Headquartered in Lafayette, California, Issio is comprised of physicians, senior-level software developers and professionals with a deep understanding of ASC workflow. Issio facilitates cloud-based, remote communication between everyone at the ASC: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, administrators, caregivers, and their most precious asset, their patients. Issio is helping ambulatory surgery centers do what they never could before. Good care is good business.™ For more information, please visit www.issio.com.

Amerinet - Exclusive GPO Sponsor — As a national healthcare solutions organization, Amerinet collaborates with acute and alternate care providers to create and deliver unique solutions through performance improvement resources, guidance and ongoing support. With better product standardization and utilization, new financial tools beyond contracting and alliances that help lower costs, raise revenue and champion quality, Amerinet enriches healthcare delivery for its members and the communities they serve. To learn more about how Amerinet can help you successfully navigate the future of healthcare reform, visit www.amerinet-gpo.com.

CNA Insurance - Exclusive Insurance Sponsor — With more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare industry, we offer a flexible and innovative approach to underwriting risks for ambulatory surgery centers. When you want an experienced insurance company with an “A” rating for financial strength to help manage the risk exposures of ambulatory surgery centers ... we can show you more.® For more information, please visit www.cna.com/healthpro or call 888-600-4776.

Silver sponsors
Facility Development & Management - Room Key Cards — Facility Development & Management is a for-profit LLC that provides consultative, developmental and managerial services for outpatient ambulatory surgical centers throughout the United Sates. The primary objectives of Facility Development and Management are to identify business opportunities; formulate project plans; guide and direct facilities through the planning, construction, set-up and licensure phases of the project; and provide ongoing administrative and clinical support. The company serves as an agent of change helping to formulate policy on providing outpatient ambulatory services that will be reflective of quality surgical services for physicians and consumers. Facility Development serves as a resource for innovative physicians and institutions on a national level.

EVEIA Health - Lanyards/Conference at a Glance — Founded by I. Naya Kehayes, MPH, Eveia Health Consulting & Management is comprised of a team of seasoned professionals who are experts in reimbursement management, managed care contracting, and business management with a specialization in ASCs and surgical practices. Senior Management serve as advisors to national corporations and provide leadership in health policy initiatives related to reimbursement on behalf of ASCs at both state and federal levels. Eveia's services include contracting and contract analysis, acting as administrator and manager, customizing revenue management, financial analysis, and enhancing and maximizing the financial position of clients. In addition, Eveia implements training and reimbursement calculators, and it provides feasibility studies, payor due diligence, fee schedule development and coordination of business related activities. Eveia provides services to ASCs, clinics, surgical practices and ASC companies across the U.S. The company has serviced more than 150 clients since its inception in 1998.

Symbion Healthcare - Bottled Water — Symbion is a leading provider of high quality surgical services across many specialties. Led by one of the industry's most experienced management teams, the company was founded in 1996 to acquire, develop and operate surgical facilities in partnership with physicians, hospitals and health systems.

Source Medical Solutions - Tote bags — SourceMedical is a leading provider of outpatient information solutions and billing services (through its Revenue Cycle Solutions division), collectively serving ASCs and surgical hospitals by offering end-to-end systems to improve operational efficiency and cash flow while empowering healthcare facilities to deliver a higher standard of patient care.

Interventional Management Services - Mobile Phone Charging Station — Interventional Management Services is a physician-owned ambulatory surgery center management and development company. We provide management services to ASCs with a physician-focused strategy. Centers managed by IMS range from small, one-room, single-specialty ASCs to large, multi-specialty, physician- hospital joint ventures. Partnering with IMS brings stability, reliability and support to existing surgery centers. Physician ownership and control are key components of every IMS partnership. Allowing physicians to maintain control of their environment is what sets IMS apart from traditional ASC management companies.

AccredAbility - Writing Pad — AccredAbility is a comprehensive accreditation tracking and reporting solution. No more binders, clipboards and missing information. AccredAbility combines the access of the internet, a simple data capture process, a comprehensive database, and a sophisticated reporting mechanism. Learn more at www.managemyasc.com/accredability.

Manage My ASC - Escalator Sponsor — Manage My ASC is a real-time, interactive management tool that provides an unprecedented view into the financial and operational performance of your center with tracking, benchmarking, analysis and recommendations. Learn more at www.managemyasc.com.

QSE Technologies - Cyber Cafe — QSE Technologies is a premiere IT systems integrator serving the ambulatory healthcare industry for more than five years, which can manage all aspects of IT infrastructure design, configuration, installation and ongoing tech support for new and existing ASCs nationwide.

PLUS Diagnostics - Aluminum Sports Bottles — PLUS Diagnostics is a leading national anatomic pathology and diagnostics services provider specializing in Gastroenterology, Urology, Hematology Oncology, Dermatology, and OB/GYN. PLUS possesses a unique expertise and offers a wide array of proven and customizable business solutions for ASC’s and physician offices. In addition, we are committed to providing our clients with the benefits of innovative IT solutions that improve operational workflow, cutting-edge testing platforms, academic caliber diagnostic quality, and superior customer service. For more information visit www.plusdx.com or call 1-800-440-PATH.

McKesson Medical-Surgical - Friday Networking Break — Customer-centric solutions deliver efficiency, performance and profitability. McKesson delivers a comprehensive program of solutions developed specifically to address the unique needs of an ASC. From a full range of products and equipment, to a suite of leading supply channel technology solutions and business-related services, our resources empower ASCs to more effectively manage their businesses with the agility and convenience only McKesson can offer. Ask about our CSOSManager solution for ordering controlled substances online – No 222 Forms.

HealthEconomix - Friday Networking Break — HealthEconomix is a company focused on delivering personal client experiences based on results and solutions. Twenty years of building and leading a healthcare firm delivering valuation, joint venture development, and transaction representation services on thousands of engagements, affords us the ability to provide a client experience that is unparalleled. We identify problem issues quickly, develop sound and implementable solutions, and provide the analytical background to support our conclusions. Our focus is in addressing valuation issues, development relationships, and the sale or acquisition of healthcare businesses and facilities.