Patsy Newitt

The omicron coronavirus variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S., accounting for 73.2 percent of new infections for the week ending Dec. 18. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is focusing on ASC acquisitions and construction in the last month of 2021. 

COVID-19 caused a slight increase in physician retirement, but nearly three-quarters of physicians reporting being overworked, according to Doximity's "2021 Physician Compensation Report" released Dec. 16. 

Anchor Health Properties has purchased two medical office buildings in Sacramento, Calif., one with an ASC, for $50 million, Sacramento Business Journal reported Dec 21. 

The healthcare workforce is on the brink of experiencing high staff turnover rates, with 1 in 5 physicians intending to leave their current practice within two years, a new American Medical Association-led study found.

West Morris Surgery Center in Ledgewood, N.J., performed its first bunion surgery using Treace Medical Concept's Lapiplasty procedure, the ASC said Dec. 20. 

The Bridgewater (N.J.) Township Council approved an ordinance change to repurpose a Crate & Barrel store for an ASC, local news network TAPinto.net reported Dec. 21. 

AdventHealth recently placed the last beam on its $100 million Innovation Tower, which will feature an ASC, said Randy Haffner, president and CEO of AdventHealth Central Florida.

HCA Healthcare and its joint venture partners have completed a medical office building with an ASC on its Houston campus. 

Gastroenterology pay hit $500,400 in 2021, according to Doximity's "2021 Physician Compensation Report," released Dec. 16.