Leawood, Kan.-based ValueHealth President Don Bisbee was appointed CEO Jan. 1.

President Joe Biden picked Xavier Becerra and Rachel Levine, MD, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. 

ASCs faced hardship last year when many centers limited surgical procedures or shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Phillip Ramsey was appointed on Jan. 7 as administrator of Jackson Hole, Wyo.-based Teton Outpatient Services, an affiliate of Addison, Texas-based United Surgical Partners International.

Physician leaders have become integral to today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment, acting as a bridge between providers and administrators in the healthcare system.

Goran Dragolovic will succeed Lew Little as president and CEO of the physician services company. Mr. Little will step down Jan. 11 after four years in the role.

Democrats took control of the Senate Jan. 6 after Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock won their respective races. The 50-50 person split in the Senate will allow Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to serve as a tiebreaker in any prospective vote. 

The healthcare-focused joint venture between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase disbanded, according to CNN, but the companies will continue to collaborate informally on programs for employees.

Runoff races in Georgia could put the Senate in Democratic control, with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as tiebreaker.

Walmart is positioned to become an even stronger force in healthcare going forward, according to a new CNBC report.

Ellen Blakely isn't a household name, but she raised two children' who became CEOs of successful companies, according to CNBC. 

There were 38 leadership moves at ASCs and management companies in 2020:

The year ahead seems promising for ASCs. Becker's ASC Review asked administrators to share what they're most excited for in 2021:

Five updates on Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Healthcare and its ambulatory division, AmSurg, since Sept. 1:

Medical Facilities Corporation, a company that owns interest in specialty hospitals and ASCs across the U.S., appointed a new board member on Dec. 18 after former chair Marilynne Day-Linton retired from the board.

Alan Sockolov, MD, resigned as primary care medical director of San Ramon, Calif.-based Hill Physicians over management changes that he felt undercut physicians, he told the Sacramento Business Journal in a Dec. 16 article.

 As the year comes to a close, ASC leaders are thinking about the year ahead and preparing for potential challenges. Seven leaders told Becker's ASC Review what they anticipate will be the biggest roadblock in 2021.

The average physician makes $360,104 a year, according to the "2020 Physician and Advanced Practice Salary Report" by LocumTenens.com.

  Jackson, Mich.-based MiraMed Global Services has donated more than 250 coats in Michigan and Illinois, according to a Dec. 11 news release.

A longtime leader of the Georgia Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Andrew King, died at home on Dec. 3, according to ASC Focus.