From industry-wide growth to increased partnerships, six ASC leaders spoke with Becker's ASC Review on how they expect the ASC industry to change in the next five years. 

For Gregg Florentin, maintaining independence is key to maintaining financial stability. 

The biggest misconception about ASCs is that any procedure is appropriate for the surgery center, according to Annie Shippen. 

From supply chain obstacles to revenue disruptions, the pandemic highlighted the need for ASC adaptability.

For Covenant High Plains Surgery Center in Lubbock, Texas, sharing risk among staff was key to surviving the pandemic. 

CNBC ranked America's top states for business based on several categories, including the cost of doing business, access to capital and business friendliness.

Although some leaders say ASC independence has "seen its better days," others see it as key to long-term success. 

Easton-based University of Maryland Shore Regional Health named ASC nurse Emily Uyttewaal, RN, its 2021 nurse of the year, local NBC affiliate KVPI reported July 10. 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the migration of procedures to the outpatient setting, leaving ASC leaders balancing changes in both procedure volume and pandemic policy in the past year. 

The pandemic accelerated the quantity and complexity of procedures performed in ASCs, leading to an increase in partnerships and consolidation in the industry.

Here are 10 ASC administrators to know:

For some leaders, independence is critical to ASC success — fostering adaptability, innovation and cost containment. For others, independence is unsustainable in the current market. 

The power of hospital consolidation and recruiting staff continue to threaten ASC profitability in 2021. Here are the three biggest external risks to ASCs, according to eight leaders:

Adding a service line requires a well-thought-out strategy in staff recruitment, equipment consolidation and education, according to one ASC nurse manager.

Referral patterns are changing for ASCs as physician groups join health systems and payers narrow their networks.

Nampa, Idaho-based Saltzer Health named Sean McCallister the administrator of a new ASC and gastroenterology center on its campus in Meridian, Idaho, the health system announced July 2. 

Since becoming the managing director of North Hollywood, Calif.-based Universal Care Surgery Center in 2016, Boris Tripolski has transformed the center's work environment, according to colleagues. 

Many ASC misunderstandings are being increasingly cleared up by the migration of surgeries outpatient. 

Physician recruitment is critical for ASC growth as surgeries continue to shift outpatient.

Here are the top executives of the five biggest ASC management companies: