Leadership

Ron Rittenmeyer will step down as CEO of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare on Sept. 1, to be replaced by COO Saum Sutaria, MD.

There are many uncertainties in healthcare right now as COVID-19 surges across the U.S., large corporations eye health systems for acquisition and healthcare workers exit the field in large numbers.

Joseph Greene, MD, and Jonathan Yerasimides, MD, are exceeding expected surgery volume after leaving hospital employment to establish the Louisville (Ken.) Hip & Knee Institute and build an ASC.

More states are beginning to require healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, sparking responses from ASCs and physicians. 

A recent poll by the Florida Hospital Association shows that the majority of its members expected a "critical staffing shortage" to occur this month, NBC affiliate WESH 2 News reported Aug. 12.

Washington, California, Oregon and New York have announced vaccine mandates for state employees or healthcare workers as COVID-19 surges nationwide. 

ASC administrators in many states are working overtime as they brace for hospital spillover due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

The staffing crisis has made it difficult for many independent ASCs to recruit, but for Santa Cruz (Calif.) Surgery Center, improving benefit packages and increasing coverage has allowed them to compete. 

ASCs have to balance the often diverging needs of patients, providers and payers to produce quality outcomes. 

MedStar Surgery Center at Timonium (Md.) relies on a positive environment and adding service lines to remain competitive.