1. 10 Interesting Ophthalmology Statistics and Figures, from the VMG Health 2008 Intellimarker. 

The February special issue of Becker's ASC Review will have a specialty focus on ophthalmology, and will provide in-depth coverage of mergers, acquisitions and valuation of surgery centers.

2. Kathy Bryant Discusses 4 Top Challenges Facing ASCs in 2009. 

3. New York Announces Recovery of $551 Million From Medicaid Fraud and Abuse in FY 2008. 

4. Barry Tanner of Physicians Endoscopy Shares 5 Challenges and Opportunities Facing GI-Focused ASCs.

5. 5 Physician Recruiting Tips From Lori Ramirez of Elite Surgical Affiliates. 

Elite Surgical Affiliates is an ASC management and development company to watch in 2009. Look for the complete list of 50 ASC Management and Development Companies to Watch in 2009 in the January issue of Becker's ASC Review. Nominate a company by e-mailing Scott Becker at sbecker@mcguirewoods.com. See 15 other companies on this list by clicking here and here.

6. 10 Key General ASC Facts and Statistics, including average employee salary, long-term debt and number of cases, from the 2008 VMG Health Intellimarker.

7. ASCOA Acquires Arizona Surgery Center. 

8. Learn More About Our Featured E-Weekly Advertisers: Serbin Surgery Center Billing, B. Braun, Ambulatory Surgical Group. 

9. California's South Bay Hospitals See Elective Procedures Shift to Surgery Centers. 

10. KLAS Recognizes ProVation Medical Software as No. 1 in Clinical Procedure Documentation Category. 

11. Reader Question. Does your surgery center have an advanced, laparoscopic, minimally-invasive, hernia repair program? Can you describe the programmatic requirements, such as capital equipment needs, coding, billing, reimbursement considerations, etc., as well as the pros and cons one should consider in introducing such a program? Send your thoughts and insight to sbecker@mcguirewoods.com.

If you'd like more information about or an introduction to any of these companies, please e-mail Scott Becker.

ASCs Inc. ASCs Inc. helps physician-owners of ASCs form strategic relationships with leading ASC management companies and hospitals, and also represents physician-owners of ASCs and medical office building real estate.  Learn more about ASCs Inc.

The Sanders Trust. The Sanders Trust owns, acquires and develops ASC buildings and medical office buildings nationwide. Learn more about The Sanders Trust.

Spine Surgical Innovation. Spine Surgical Innovation designs and markets the Holmed Swivel Port System, which is designed for ease of use and intended for posterior or lateral lumbar surgery. Read more about Spine Surgical Innovation.

Serbin Surgery Center Billing. Serbin Surgery Center Billing was founded in 2001 to provide the answer to ASCs' complex and unique billing needs, providing expert and accurate coding, billing, collections, and managed care negotiations solely to the ASC industry. Learn more about SCB.

B. Braun. For 150 years, B. Braun has developed a rich heritage of knowledge and expertise for delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs designed to improve both patient and health-professional safety.  Learn more about B. Braun.

Ambulatory Surgical Group. Ambulatory Surgical Group team has been involved in the syndication, development and management of some of the most successful centers in the country.  Learn more about ASG.

Marasco & Associates. Marasco & Associates is a national architecture that has helped develop more than 300 ASCs and over 1,500 healthcare facilities nationwide over its 30-plus-year history. Read more about Marasco.

Surgical Management Professionals. With a seasoned team of healthcare professionals, SMP specializes in the management and development of ASCs and surgical specialty hospitals. Learn more about SMP.

Kaye/Bassman International. Greg Zoch, a partner and managing director with Kaye/Bassman International, has served many of the industry's largest players by finding top talent at the facility and corporate level; Mr. Zoch specializes heavily in the ASC world. Learn more about Kaye/Bassman.