Author: Patsy Newitt

St. Luke’s Health System is discarding its plan to build an orthopedic hospital with medical offices in Boise, Idaho, in favor of a facility featuring an ASC and outpatient clinics, BoiseDev reported Jan. 6. 

Here are seven COVID-19 updates from the last week:

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Orthopaedic Outpatient Surgery Center was recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield for hip and knee surgery. 

Neurosurgery and thoracic surgery have been the highest-earning physician specialties for the last five years, according to medical professional networking site Doximity. 

A medical building housing the Digestive Health Center of Allen (Texas) was acquired by real estate company Montecito Medical. 

Miami-based Gastro Health is starting off the new year with two major deals in Maryland and Florida, according to two Jan. 5 news releases shared with Becker's ASC Review. 

The Beloit (Wis.) City Council delayed a final vote on a zoning amendment that could pave the way for future ASC development, Beloit Daily News reported Jan. 5. 

North American Partners in Anesthesia is expanding its anesthesia services through a partnership with Elkton, Md.-based ChristianaCare Union Hospital, the anesthesia provider said Jan. 5.

While average physician compensation increased by 3.8 percent in 2021, a Consumer Price Index inflation rate of 6.2 percent meant physicians saw a decline in real income last year, according to medical networking service Doximity's 2021 Physician Compensation Report.

Former ASC and hospital CEO J. Blake Peart has joined Fort Worth, Texas-based mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Vertess as a managing director.