Author: Patsy Newitt

Private equity firms have long used ASCs as investment vehicles, and after courting key ASC specialties like gastroenterology, orthopedics and ophthalmology, they could be looking to cardiology as a new area of growth. 

Former Maine state medical board administrator Brenda Gowesky, MD, alleges in a lawsuit that a whistleblower complaint she made against her former employer caused her to be fired from the agency, Medscape reported June 26. 

Physician-owned hospitals offer commercial and cash prices that are about one-third lower than non-physician-owned hospitals, according to a study published June 23 in JAMA Network Open.

The Florida surgeon general has signed an emergency suspension order for Manuel Barbeito, MD, a Miami-based physician who has been in prison for overprescribing since September, the Miami Herald reported June 25. 

Wilmington, N.C.-based family medicine physician Mark Armitage, MD, agreed to pay $170,000 to resolve allegations he prescribed opioids and other drugs outside the usual course of professional practice. 

A proposed ASC in Glen Carbon, Ill., faced vocal resident opposition at a zoning commission meeting, The Telegraph reported June 23. 

San Jose, Calif.-based family medicine physician Donald Siao, MD, was convicted of 12 counts of illegally distributing oxycodone and hydrocodone. 

Here are five ASC chains that have grown their footprint so far in 2023:

Galena, Ohio-based Eskender Getachew, MD, has been convicted of unlawful prescription of opioids and benzodiazepines. 

Alejandro Fernandez, CEO of San Diego-based Synergy Orthopedic Specialists, joined Becker's to discuss the obstacles to ASC ownership.