The toughest part of running an ASC isn’t technology or reimbursements, it’s people, Sandra Oglesby, RN, administrator of The Surgery Center at Tampa General Hospital’s Brandon Healthplex, told Becker’s.
Ms. Oglesby joined Becker’s to discuss why staffing has become the most pressing challenge for surgery centers today. Her ASC has been recognized by Newsweek and Statista as the best in Florida and the nation for four consecutive years, a distinction she credits to intentional leadership, a strong team culture and an unwavering focus on patient care.
Question: What’s the toughest part of running an ASC right now?
Sandra Oglesby: The toughest part of running a surgery center today is staffing. Securing a team of highly qualified registered nurses, surgical techs and support staff has become increasingly difficult in the current market. Competing with hospitals offering sign-on bonuses and higher pay rates presents a real challenge.
Despite these hurdles, our ASC has been recognized as the top facility in our area for four consecutive years — a distinction we’ve earned through intentional leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Our success is no accident.
My leadership team is deeply experienced in culture-centric interviewing and hiring practices. We focus on identifying individuals who not only possess the necessary skills but also embody the “one team” mentality. This mindset is the foundation of our exceptional patient care, outstanding patient experience, and strong physician engagement — all driven by efficiency and kindness.
With this recognition comes increased volume from community providers — a growth we deeply welcome and appreciate. It’s a testament to the trust placed in our team and the care we deliver. However, adding staff in this competitive market remains a significant challenge. We remain committed to finding and nurturing the right people to uphold the standards our patients and partners expect.
I’m proud to say that it’s my team who drives these metrics. They are the reason we continue to lead, and they deserve every accolade for making us the #1 surgery center.
