St. Louis-based Ascension has signed a definitive agreement to acquire AmSurg, one of the nation’s largest ASC operators with 250 locations across the country. The deal will expand Ascension’s ambulatory footprint from 58 to more than 300 centers in 34 states.
AmSurg President Jeff Snodgrass joined Becker’s to discuss how the acquisition will shape AmSurg’s growth strategy, strengthen physician partnerships and position the organization for success.
Editor’s note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length.
Question: As the Ascension transaction moves forward, how do you see AMSURG’s leadership team shaping strategy and day-to-day operations during this transition?
Jeff Snodgrass: The transaction is awaiting final regulatory approval. I continue to be very excited by the opportunities this acquisition will offer to the communities we serve, to our physician partners and, of course, to our patients.
Q: Physician partnerships have long been central to AMSURG’s success. What steps are you taking to preserve and strengthen those relationships as you expand under a health system model?
JS: The relationship and partnership with physicians is, and will always be, critical to our operating model. Since I joined AMSURG, our physician partners’ feedback has consistently been about ensuring our capabilities help optimize their surgery centers. While the journey is never finished, I am confident we have significantly strengthened our capabilities and further optimized the surgery centers for our partners, employees and patients. The Ascension acquisition provides an opportunity to continue building on this work. Our operating and partnership model has always been built on what we term the “collaborative model” – the acquisition will not change that.
Q: With the Ascension transaction underway, how do you plan to set your network apart in such a competitive landscape?
JS: Each competitor in the ASC sector has its own strengths, as well as areas for improvement. Our core competency is in our service—what we do, how we do it, and why we do it, which starts with our clinical excellence and quality outcomes. As I think about a future AMSURG as a part of the Ascension, I believe we have an opportunity to build on our unique strengths while addressing aspects of our model and capabilities that will ensure we thrive in a competitive landscape while continuing to support our surgery centers and their patients.
Q: AMSURG is now one of the nation’s largest ASC operators. How would you describe your leadership approach in guiding its network?
JS: Over the past few years, AmSurg has focused on diversifying our portfolio mix, broadening service lines, expanding our health system partnerships, reinforcing our commitment to independent physician practices and enhancing our management company value proposition to ensure we optimize surgery center performance for patients, partners and payers.
Most importantly, our people are an essential component of our value proposition. We have invested heavily in our team and culture and describe our organization as very mission focused on our centers and patients. We fully expect the Ascension acquisition will only advance and accelerate these objectives.
