Author: Patsy Newitt

The average physician assistant makes $143,012 a year, according to the "2021 Physician and Advanced Practice Salary Report" by LocumTenens.com.

Here are seven supply chain updates from the last two weeks: 

Seven-physician Gastroenterology Associates Endoscopy Unit in Hickory, N.C. was recognized for quality by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Hickory Daily Record reported Dec. 12.

Gastro Health is ending 2021 strong — acquiring four practices in Florida and Ohio since Sept. 1. 

The New Mexico House passed an update to medical malpractice law to ensure independent physicians can get the insurance they need to continue working at hospitals after Dec. 31, the Albuquerque Journal reported Dec. 10. 

Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth-Hitchcock is barring most visitors from its facilities, including its ASCs, as of Dec. 10 until further notice, the health system said. 

Southpoint Surgery Center in Jacksonville, Fla., gifted 30 patients free LASIK cataract surgery Dec. 11, News4Jax reported.

Clint Devin, MD, a spine surgeon with Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, died Dec. 10 after his plane crashed at the top of a mountain in Steamboat Springs, Colo., the Aspen Times reported Dec. 14. 

Nate Merriman, MD, is the medical director for gastrointestinal and digestive health at Intermountain Healthcare in Murray, Utah. He joined Becker's to discuss what he thinks the industry will look like in 10 years. 

Here are the eight most expensive transactions reported by Becker's ASC Review in 2021: