Here are seven updates for ASC leaders to know for Oct. 19.
Florida ASC director Dr. Johnny Benjamin charged with felony opioid trafficking, robbery
Indian River County officials charged 51-year-old orthopedic spine surgeon Johnny Benjamin, MD, with felony fentanyl trafficking, robbery and grand theft. Dr. Benjamin practices out of Pro Spine Center, a 5,000-square-foot ASC. His hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20. Click here for more on this story.
Surgical Care Affiliates invests in Florida ASC
Surgical Care Affiliates made an equity investment in Brandon (Fla.) Ambulatory Surgery Center. Built in 2005, BASC includes six operating rooms, 20 pre- and post-op beds and a large onsite waiting area.
Georgia Supreme Court rules against ASC owners; upholds state's CON rule
Hugo Ribot Jr., MD, and Malcolm Barfield, DO, co-owners of The Georgia Advanced Surgery Center for Women, filed a suit against the Georgia Department of Community Health after officials denied their CON application to add a second OR to the ASC. The Georgia Supreme Court ruled against Cartersville, Ga.-based The Georgia Advanced Surgery Center for Women owners and opted to uphold the state's certificate-of-need legislation.
USPI joint ventures with Santa Barbara Surgery Center
United Surgical Partners International entered into a partnership with Santa Barbara (Calif.) Surgery Center Oct. 1. Local physicians and USPI jointly own the ASC.
Allegany Associates building $1M ophthalmology ASC
Allegany Associates, the owners of Johnson City, N.Y.-based Southern Tier Surgery Center filed plans with the New York Department of Health to build an ASC in Olean, N.Y. The proposed surgery center will have two operating rooms.
Tennessee officials receive CONs for 2 ASCs
The Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency is considering certificate-of-need applications to build Saint Thomas Surgery Center in New Salem, Tenn. and another CON to establish StoneCrest Surgery Center in Smyrna, Tenn.
Pittsburgh health system opening 4-room ASC
Pittsburgh-based Heritage Valley Health System is opening a medical center with a four-room ASC in Pittsburgh. Center physicians will specialize in orthopedics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, general surgery, gynecology, podiatry and urology.