Hospitals and health systems are increasingly looking to ASCs for joint venture partnerships as surgical procedures and patient preferences shift to the outpatient setting.
In fact, according to a Jan. 4 VMG Health survey of 141 health system executives, including CEOs, CFOs and COOs, outpatient surgery ranked as the No. 1 service line for joint venture partnerships in 2024.
In July, Orlando (Fla.) Health and Oklahoma City-based Solara Surgical Partners launched a joint venture to expand Orlando Health’s ASC operations through Solara’s experience in ASC development and management.
Steve Hockert, chief development officer of Oklahoma City-based Solara Surgical Partners, recently joined Becker’s to discuss how ASCs and health systems can successfully partner for joint ventures.
Editor’s note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length:
Question: Given the recent partnership between Orlando Health and Solara Surgical Partners, what should ASC leaders look for in potential joint venture partners?
Steve Hockert: First and foremost, we believe alignment with an experienced healthcare partner is a fundamental ingredient to deliver on all stakeholder fronts, paramount of which are the patients served within the ASC. The U.S. healthcare system is very nuanced, and we believe there is no substitute for experience; both at the bedside and the board room. Beyond that, ASC leaders should seek partners who understand what motivates physicians, how to bring operational transparency into a partnership, and generally offer true value beyond capital. At Solara, we offer tremendous flexibility, responsiveness and deep ASC expertise that empowers both physicians and hospital stakeholders.
