176 Physician Leaders in the Ambulatory Surgery Center Industry

David J. Abraham, MD. Dr. Abraham is one of the entrepreneurial leaders at The Reading Neck & Spine Center in Wyomissing, Pa. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society. Dr. Abraham received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, completed his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and a fellowship in spinal surgery in Detroit.

James Andrews, MD. Dr. Andrews is the founder of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala. He earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Tulane Medical School, both in New Orleans. Dr. Andrews serves on the medical and safety advisory committee of USA Baseball and on the board of Little League Baseball. Throughout his career, Dr. Andrews has made contributions to clinical research in knee, shoulder and elbow injury prevention and treatment as well as authored several articles on his research. He is a past president of the American Orthopaedics Society for Sports Medicine and has served on the board of directors for the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Dr. Andrews is a team physician for the Washington Redskins.

Amir Arbisser, MD. Dr. Arbisser is an ophthalmologist and co-founder of Eye Surgeons Associates in Bettendorf, Iowa, where he also serves as board chairman. Dr. Arbisser received his MD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and completed a National Institutes of Health fellowship in genetic and metabolic diseases and his ophthalmology residency at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he served as chief resident. He also undertook a pediatric fellowship at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Dr. Amir is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and specializes in pediatric comprehensive ophthalmology. He recently finished a six-year gubernatorial appointment on the Board of Regents, the governing body of Iowa's public universities, including University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City.

Richard G. Areen, MD. Dr. Areen is a highly experienced otolaryngologist who has been in practice with Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat since 1982. He serves as president of the physician group. Dr. Areen has directed various outpatient surgery centers since 1982 and is currently president of the governing body of Sutter River City Surgery Center in Sacramento. He has been an active participant in state and federal advocacy for the ASC industry. Dr. Areen has served as president of the Sacramento Society of Otolaryngology and governor of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He completed his undergraduate degree, medical degree and residency in otolaryngology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Areen is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Dale A. Armstrong, MD. Dr. Armstrong is chairman of the board of Mason City (Iowa) Surgery Center and the president of the Mason City Clinic, where he has visionary ideas for his center. He is board certified in adult and child and adolescent psychiatry. Dr. Armstrong received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City, and completed his residency in adult psychiatry and his fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

John Atwater, MD. Dr. Atwater is a spine surgeon at Downstate Illinois Spine Center and McClean County Orthopedics, both in Bloomington, Ill. He treats a wide range of spinal conditions and performs many types of spinal surgery. He currently serves as a medical consultant to several medical device companies. He received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and interned at John Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Kenneth Austin, MD. Dr. Austin is an orthopedic surgeon at Rockland Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Airmont, N.Y. He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and completed his surgical internship and orthopedic residency at the NYU/Bellevue Medical Center. His expertise includes treating traumatic and sports-related injuries of the upper and lower extremities, and hip and knee replacements.

Alejandro Badia, MD. Dr. Badia is the founder of the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in Doral, Fla., and serves on the surgeon advisory panel of the DaVinci Center in Doral. He is a founding partner of the Miami Hand Center and OrthoNOW, an immediate orthopedic care center. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Badia runs a hand surgery fellowship and organizes annual conferences for surgeons and therapists to discuss hand and wrist joint replacement and arthroscopic procedures. He serves on the editorial board for Techniques in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery and Hand. Dr. Badia is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Association of Hand Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from New York University, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a hand and upper extremity fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and a hand fellowship in Europe through the AO Trauma Association.

Norman Douglas Baker, MD, FACS. Dr. Baker is a surgeon at the Ophthalmic Surgeons and Consultants of Ohio in Columbus. He is board certified in ophthalmology. Dr. Baker earned his medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Ohio State University department of medicine and his fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine, department of ophthalmology, glaucoma section, in Atlanta. He is also a member of the Ohio State Medical Association, Columbus Ophthalmological and Otolargyngological Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians. Dr. Baker is clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at Ohio State University.

Joseph Banno, MD. Dr. Banno is the founder and co-owner of the successful Peoria (Ill.) Day Surgery Center and is past chairman of the ASC Association and a current executive committee member. He is a board-certified urologist with the Midwest Urologist Group. He received medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed a general surgery residency at Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria and then entered University of Chicago's comprehensive urology program. He is a clinical instructor of urology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. His special interests include impotency, stone disease and correction of prostate disease.

Robert O. Baratta, MD. Dr. Baratta is partner and CEO of Ascent Surgical Partners in Nashville, Tenn. He is an ophthalmologist who has more than 25 years of experience managing surgery centers. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Ascent, as well as president, CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors of Ecosphere Technologies, formerly known as UltraStrip Systems. Since 1996, Dr. Baratta has been on the board of directors of FPIC Insurance Co., where he served as chairman from 1999-2007. He has also served as a director of First Professionals Insurance Co., and president and board chairman of Stuart (Fla.) Eye Institute.

Scott Bateman, MD. Dr. Bateman is an otolaryngologist practicing at Sheridan (Wyo.) Ear, Nose & Throat. He has served the Sheridan area in private practice since 1995. Dr. Bateman earned his MD from the University of Texas HSC at San Antonio and completed his residency in otolaryngology and his internship in surgery at the university. He is affiliated with the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association and American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Robert A. Berger, MD. Dr. Berger is a general and bariatric surgeon and the medical director of bariatric surgery at Flagstaff (Ariz.) Medical Center. He has special interest in minimally invasive procedures and bariatric surgery. Dr. Berger received his MD from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and completed his internship and residency at the university as well. He also undertook a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Bermudez is a board-certified general surgeon with affiliations with the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Bariatric Surgeons and Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.

Fernando Bermudez, MD. Dr. Bermudez is the medical director of Eastside Endoscopy Center and the physician financial executive of G.I. Medicine Associates in St. Claire Shores, Mich. Dr. Bermudez has served as division head of the department of gastroenterology at St. John Hospital, former medical director of the endoscopy unit at St. John Hospital and former clinical assistant professor at Wayne State University in Detroit. He currently practices at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, Mich., St. Joseph's Mercy of Macomb in Clinton Township, Mich., Mount Clemens General Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich., and the Eastside Endoscopy Center in St. Clair Shores, Mich. He specializes in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, with a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease and motility disorders of the esophagus.

Todd Beyer, DO. Dr. Beyer is a board-certified ophthalmologist and oculofacial-plastic surgeon at Novus Clinic in Tallmadge, Ohio, where he serves as president. He also serves on the board of directors of the Ohio Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Dr. Beyer specializes in LASIK and refractive surgery, oculofacial-plastic surgery and advanced cataract/lens implant surgery. He has served as clinical assistant professor and director of ophthalmology at the University of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, and held appointments as clinical faculty assistant in oculoplastics at St. Luke's Hospital in Cleveland and clinical assistant professor at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.

Robert Boeglin, MD. Dr. Boeglin, an ophthalmologist, is the board president for Midwest Eye Institute in Indianapolis and co-founder of Health Venture Management, a company that develops surgery center partnerships between physicians, and Clarian Health. Dr. Boeglin attended Indiana University for medical school and completed a glaucoma fellowship at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. He joined Midwest Eye Institute in 1991 and maintained a medical and surgical practice for more than 10 years.

Thomas Bombardier, MD, FACS. Dr. Bombardier is an ophthalmologist and one of the three founding principals of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America. Prior to founding ASCOA, he established the largest ophthalmic practice in Western Massachusetts, two ASCs and a regional referral center. He has been a real estate developer in Cape Cod, Mass., for about two decades.

Nader Bozorgi, MD. Dr. Bozorgi has been a leader and pioneer in the field of outpatient surgery since 1973, when he opened one of the first ASCs in the United States. This paved the way for a system of ASCs that provide anesthesia, pain, bariatric lap band and support services, under Magna Health Systems in Chicago. Dr. Bozorgi continues to serve as Magna Health System's CEO, overseeing the daily operations of three active multi-specialty, Chicago-area ASCs and related physician and support services.

Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD. Dr. Bray is a neurosurgeon and the CEO of DISC Sports & Spine Center. Since its inception in 2006, DISC has become an official medical services provider of the United States Olympic Team, Red Bull's North American athletes and the Los Angeles Kings. This success fueled the late 2011 opening of a second DISC facility in Orange County. Dr. Bray launched DISC after a tenure at Cedars-Sinai, where he founded The Institute for Spinal Disorders. A Baylor College of Medicine graduate, he has also served as the director of neurosurgery and headed the spinal programs at St. John's Medical Center, Century City Hospital and Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital. During 20 years of combined active and reserve duty with the United States Air Force, Dr. Bray received multiple medals and commendations for his work developing medical protocols and teaching wartime trauma techniques.

Richard F. Bruch, MD. Dr. Bruch practiced with Triangle Orthopedic Associates in Durham, N.C., from 1977 to 2011 when he retired. He continues to work closely with the administrative team of Triangle as a consulting physician. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Dr. Bruch has served as team physician for the Durham Bulls baseball team since 1980 and specialized in problems of the foot and rheumatoid arthritis. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Dr. Bruch is a past-president of both the Durham-Orange County Medical Society and North Carolina Medical Society and currently serves on the North Carolina delegation to the American Medical Association. Dr. Bruch serves on the State Health Coordinating Council.

Michael Bukstein, MD, FACS. Dr. Bukstein is a general surgeon who serves as the board president of the Northeast Missouri Ambulatory Surgery Center in Hannibal and practices general surgery at Hannibal Clinic. He received his medical degree from University of Missouri Medical School in Columbia, and completed his residency at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Bukstein served as chief resident in surgery and surgical oncology at University of Missouri Medical Center and Ellis Fishel Cancer Center in Columbia. He is a diplomat of American Board of Surgery and fellow of American College of Surgeons. Dr. Bukstein's surgical specialty and clinical interests are general surgery and surgical oncology.

John Byers, MD. Dr. Byers has practiced otolaryngology since finishing residency in 1994 and currently serves as the Medical Director as a member of the Board of Directors for the Surgical Center of Greensboro, and SCA Affiliates. As evidenced by the many leadership roles Dr. Byers willingly takes on he truly makes a difference for those who work with him. This is aside from the impact he has on his patients. He is always actively present and consistently changes things for the better.

James T. Caillouette, MD. Dr. Caillouette is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Newport Orthopedic Institute in Newport Beach, Calif., subspecializing in joint replacement and adult reconstructive surgery of the hip and knee. He has been on staff at Hoag Hospital and in private practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Caillouette earned his MD from the University of Southern California School of Medicine and served both his internship and orthopedic residency at the University of California, Irvine. He is a past president of the California Orthopaedic Association, a former director of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and a member of the International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty, among other affiliations. He has developed multiple orthopedic devices and instruments during his career.

Peter A. Caprise, MD. Dr. Caprise works as an orthopedic surgeon at The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia in Lynchburg. He subspecializes in arm, hip, knee and shoulder surgery and provides joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine surgeries to his patients. Dr. Caprise is affiliated with Lynchburg (Va.) General Hospital and Virginia Baptist Hospital, also in Lynchburg, as well as The Surgery Center of Lynchburg. He earned his MD from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. Dr. Caprise is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and provides team medical coverage for local colleges and high schools.

John Caruso, MD. Dr. Caruso practices as Parkway Surgery Center in Hagerstown, Md., and has more than 16 years of neurological surgery experience. Dr. Caruso received his MD from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, and completed his three-year residency at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk. After completing a two-year residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, he started work with his current practice, Neurosurgical Specialists. As the cofounder of the "Save Our Doctors, Protect Our Patients" campaign, Dr. Caruso initiated and helped create legislation to reimburse physicians for trauma care delivery in Maryland.

Peter Cimino, MD. Dr. Cimino practices orthopedics at Omaha Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Medicine in Nebraska, a center with more 70 years of experience in orthopedic service. He specializes in orthopedic surgery of the foot and ankle, hip, knee, shoulder and elbow, as well as sports medicine. Dr. Cimino earned his MD from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha and went on to complete a surgery internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. He also undertook a residency in orthopedic surgery at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He has studied spine under S. Henry LaRocca, MD, as well as at Sports Medicine Aspen in Colorado. In addition to his work with Omaha Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Medicine, he is affiliated with Alegent Bergan, Alegent Midlands and Methodist Health System.

James R. Colgan, MD. Dr. Colgan helped found Carson Urologists in Carson City, Nev., and has provided patient care to the surrounding area since 1974. Over the years, he has served as board chairman of Carson Ambulatory Surgery Center, chief of staff and chief of surgery at Carson-Tahoe Hospitals, and as a member of the Medical Legal Review Panel for the state of Nevada. Dr. Colgan received his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. He completed his residency at the Los Angeles County Hospital and is board certified in urology.

Christine Corbin, MD. Dr. Corbin is a GYN surgeon and medical director of the Surgery Center at Tanasbourne in Hillsboro, Ore., a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility. She is the founder and president of Northwest Gynecology Associates. Dr. Corbin graduated from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio, and then completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. She is affiliate with Oregon's Providence St. Vincent Medical Center/PPMC and Tuality Community Hospital.

Gary Cram, MD. Dr. Cram is board certified neurosurgeon practicing at the Greensboro Specialty Surgical Center, an affiliate of SCA, and is one of three inaugural directors of the SCA National Spine Advisory Panel. As a leader of one of the largest ASC-based outpatient spine programs in the nation, Dr. Cram is well respected for his clinicalexpertise and over ten years of experience.

William Crowder Jr., MD, FACOG. Dr. Crowder helped to start the Conroe (Texas) Surgery Center in 1983 with 16 other physicians. After re-syndicating and building a new larger facility in 2003, he is currently the chair of the board of managers of that facility. He actively practices OB/GYN along with five partners. Dr. Crowder as vice president of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society Board of Directors.

R. Blake Curd, MD. Dr. Curd is chairman of the board of directors of Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Surgical Management Professionals. He is an active proponent of physician ownership in healthcare and serves as secretary/treasurer for Physician Hospitals of America. He is also a manager for Medical Facilities Corp., which promotes physician ownership of healthcare facilities through partnerships.

Ray D'Amours, MD. Dr. D’Amours joined Universal Pain Management in Palmdale, Calif., in 2002, where he serves as a partner. He also works as an assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. He’s certified in anesthesiology and pain management. He’s authored several scientific papers and book chapters on pain management. Dr. D’Amours earned his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed an anesthesiology residency at the University of Pennsylvania.

Christopher Danis, MD. Dr. Danis is in his twentieth year of practicing hand surgery in Dayton, Ohio. About 10 years ago, he initiated Far Hills Surgical Center, a hospital-physician joint-venture ASC in Dayton, where he continues to serve on the board. Dr. Danis is currently affiliated with Dayton Children's Medical Center of Dayton, and from 2006 to 2008, he served as chief of staff at Miami Valley Hospital. He received his medical degree at Wright State University Medical School and his general surgery training in the integrated residency program in Dayton. He then completed a plastic surgery residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Danis is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Urfan Dar, MD. Dr. Dar is the medical director of Theda Oaks Surgery Center in San Antonio for the last seven years. The ASC performs close to 10,000 cases annually. Dr. Dar is board certified by the American Board of Pain Medicine and the American Board of Anesthesiology. He specializes in advanced techniques to treat all types of chronic and cancer pain. He earned his medical degree from University of Kashmir India, did his internship at East Tennessee State University, and then did his residency training in Anesthesiology at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, under the guidance of Gabor Racz, MD. Dr. Dar was identified by Becker's ASC Review as one of the best pain specialists in the country.

Devin K. Datta, MD. Dr. Datta is an orthopedic and spine surgeon at The B.A.C.K. Center, an affiliate of Osler Medical in Melbourne, Fla., and a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility. He serves as the chairman of the department of orthopedics at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. Dr. Datta specializes in minimally invasive neck and back surgeries and scoliosis surgery, and is active in spinal research studies. He is a key consultant for Medtronic. He received his MD from the University of Missouri-Kansas, and completed a surgical internship at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha. Dr. Datta returned to University of Missouri-Kansas to complete an orthopedic surgery residency. He then underwent fellowship training in spine surgery at Harvard University/Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston, under the tutelage Augustus White III, MD, an innovator of modern day spine surgery.

Daniel C. "Skip" Daube, MD. Dr. Daube is the director and CEO of Surgical Center of Excellence in Panama City, Fla. He practices with the Gulf Coast Facial Plastics and ENT Center in Panama City and is on the clinical faculty at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. Daube is board certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and is a member of numerous professional societies.

Philip A. Davidson, MD. Dr. Davidson is the founder and former CEO of Tampa Bay (Fla.) Specialty Surgery Center and now practices orthopedics with Heiden Orthopaedics in Park City, Utah. He subspecializes in cartilage restoration and shoulder surgery, with extensive experience in the area of tissue transplantation, including allografts, xenografts and the usage of autologous growth factors. He received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York City, completed his orthopedic residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and a sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. He is an official consultant of Major League Baseball and the National Football League, having been jointly appointed by the players' and owners' groups from these leagues.

Tom Deas Jr., MD, MMM. Dr. Deas has served as medical director of two Fort Worth, Texas, ambulatory endoscopy centers since their development in 1995 and 2002. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and holds a master's in medical management from UT Dallas School of Business. He has been practicing gastroenterology in Fort Worth since 1991 when he retired as a colonel in the USAF. He currently serves as president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and participates in the Surgical Care Affiliates physicians' leadership team. He is active on the advisory board of the GI Quality Improvement Consortium, a registry for endoscopic quality measures. Dr. Deas also serves as chief medical officer of Sandlot, the North Texas premier health information exchange.
John DiPaola, MD. Dr. DiPaola is an orthopedic surgeon and occupational orthopedist who originally built his Swan Island, Ore., clinic to exclusively serve injured workers. He opened his solo practice in 2000 after being attached to a group of orthopedic surgeons and decided to focus on workers with orthopedic injuries. Dr. DiPaola is affiliated with the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Oregon Association of Orthopedists. His practice is now known as Occupational Orthopedics and consists of one location in Swan Island and one in Tualatin, Ore.

Douglas R. Dodson, DO. Dr. Dodson practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico, where he works with patients ranging from professional athletes to "weekend warriors" to child soccer players. Dr. Dodson earned his DO from Western University of Health Sciences in California and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. He also undertook a fellowship in joint replacement surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. His special interests include hip and knee reconstruction, back pain, arthritis, foot and ankle disease, work-related injuries and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In the Alamogordo community, he participates in local health lectures and coaches amateur sports teams. Dr. Dodson is the former chief of staff of Gerald Champion Memorial Hospital and serves on the board of directors for Alamogordo Physicians Cooperative. He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopaedics and the New Mexico Orthopaedic Association.

Stephen E. Doran, MD. Dr. Doran is chairman of the board of Midwest Surgical Hospital in Omaha, and practices with Midwest Neurosurgery & Spine Specialists, also based in Omaha. Dr. Doran is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, and his special areas of interest include spinal instrumentation, stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, deep brain stimulation and disorders of the spine. He has received national recognition for his research in gene therapy related to the central nervous system, and his research has been published in nationally recognized journals and textbooks. Dr. Doran received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed both his internship and residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ken Drazan, MD. Dr. Drazan is a physician and partner at Bertram Capital Management based in San Mateo, Calif., which includes GENASCIS among its portfolio companies. He has been a leader and he is also an investor in different businesses that serve the ASC market. Previously, Dr. Drazan was the CEO and founder of Arginox Pharmaceuticals. He was a leading academic liver transplant surgeon and basic scientist at Stanford (Calif.) University and UCLA. Dr. Drazan currently serves as chairman of Arginox Pharmaceuticals and Kuratek. Dr. Drazan received his medical degree from the State University of New York.

Jack Egnatinsky, MD. Dr. Egnatinsky is the immediate past president of the AAAHC Board of Officers for 2011/12. He is a board certified anesthesiologist who has held a number of academic and clinical leadership positions within his specialty. He is an instructor for the AAAHC Surveyor Training Program, has served as a medical director for AAAHC and is on the board of directors for the AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement. He represents the Ambulatory Surgery Foundation on the AAAHC Board.

James P. Emanuel, MD. Dr. Emanuel is an orthopedic surgeon practicing with Parkcrest Orthopedics in St. Louis, a center that specializes in upper and lower extremities. Dr. Emanuel specializes in the care of the upper extremity and has extensive experience in arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction. He is a respected surgeon known for his work in total shoulder replacement in St. Louis. Dr. Emanuel earned his MD from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed his orthopedic residency at the university as well. His affiliations include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the National Orthopedic Education Society.

Frank J. E. Falco, MD. Dr. Falco is the medical director of Mid Atlantic Spine in Bear, Del., and the executive vice president of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. During his career, Dr. Falco has served as the president of the Delaware Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and on the editorial board of SpineUniverse. He serves as a faculty member in the physical medicine and rehabilitation department at Temple University in Philadelphia. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of American Physiatrists, Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and American Academy of Pain Medicine. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Falco serves as an expert witness in physical medicine and rehabilitation for the National Association of State Jury. Dr. Falco earned his medical degree at Temple University Medical School and received additional training in spine, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation at Southeastern Orthopedic Associates in Benbrook, Texas.

John Fitz, MD. Dr. Fitz is the founder of The Surgery Center of Farmington (Mo.), a 10-year-old, multi-specialty surgery center, where he works as a physician. Under his guidance, the center has operated under a very successful rural area surgery center model. He has been in the private practice of comprehensive ophthalmology for about 25 years and also started Precision Eye Care in Farmington in 1986. Although trained in the comprehensive management of eye diseases, Dr. Fitz's particular interests lie in cataract surgery, glaucoma management and surgery and refractive surgery. He has performed more than 10,000 cataract surgeries and was the first Crystalens-certified surgeon in southern Missouri and eastern Illinois. Dr. Fitz is on active staff at Parkland Health Center and Mineal Area Medical Center, as well as chairman of the board for The Surgery Center of Farmington. He received his MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1982.

Donald W. Floyd, MD. Dr. Floyd is an orthopedic surgeon practicing with Texas Surgical Center in Midland. He has been in private practice since 1982 and serves as team physician for Midland College and Midland Rockhounds AA Baseball Team, an Oakland Athletics' affiliate. He also served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1975-1978. Dr. Floyd earned his MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed his internship at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He also undertook a residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Floyd has worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Program in several Olympic Games. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association and Alamo Orthopaedic Society, among others.

John Fontana, MD. Dr. Fontana is an obstetrician/gynecologist practicing at Beaufort (S.C.) OB/GYN. He also serves on the staff at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Dr. Fontana earned his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., in 1967 and went on to complete an internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in 1968. He undertook his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Florida Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville and later completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Dr. Fontana has held faculty positions at Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University in Philadelphia and Dunham Army Hospital.

Thomas R. Forget Jr., MD. Dr. Forget is a neurosurgeon with the St. Louis Spine Surgery Center, a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility. He is affiliated with St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, where he is chief of neurosurgery, and St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Forget has a special expertise in back injuries, cerebrovascular disorders, cervical spine disorders, head and neck disorder, interventional neuroradiology, lumbar degenerative disc disease, neuroendovascular surgery, neurosurgery and spine surgery. He received his MD from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., completed his residency at Saint Louis University Health Science Center and a fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

John A. Foster, MD. Dr. Foster is an otolaryngologist practicing with Spartanburg Ear, Nose and Throat in South Carolina. He has been with the center since 1991. While Dr. Foster's main interest is in general otolaryngology, he also specializes in pediatric otolaryngology, nasal and paranasal sinus disease and the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. He earned his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and completed his general surgery training at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He also undertook a residency in otolaryngology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Foster serves as medical director and chairman of the board for the Spartanburg ASC, as well as vice chief of the division of otolaryngology at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

Robin Fowler, MD. Dr. Fowler is chairman and medical director of Interventional Management Services. He is also the medical director of the Interventional Spine and Pain Management Center in Conyers, Ga., and an active staff member at Newton and Rockdale Medical Centers. Dr. Fowler has an interest in performing epidurals and staying abreast of the innovations in the pain management field. He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, National Pain Foundation, American Pain Society and American Society of Anesthesia. Dr. Fowler earned his medical degree at Ross University School of Medicine in the West Indies and completed his residency in anesthesiology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He also completed a fellowship with Emory University's interventional pain program.

James L. Fox Jr., MD. Dr. Fox is the founding leader of the Ravine Way Surgery Center in Glenview, Ill., and practices at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. He is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who has been practicing for more than 20 years. His clinical interests include general orthopedic surgery, including fracture care and arthroscopy, as well as orthopedic oncology. Dr. Fox received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Cancer Center in New York, and joint replacement at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago. He completed his residency with, and serves as assistant professor and associate clinical professor at, Northwestern University Medical School in Evanston, Ill. He also holds an instructor position at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.

Eric J. Freeh, DO. Dr. Freeh practices orthopedics at Alamogordo Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New Mexico. As the former team physician for the Phoenix Suns professional basketball team, he has the experience to provide his patients with "the finest orthopedic care possible," according to the center's website. Dr. Freeh earned his DO from Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and completed an internship at Hillcrest Osteopathic Hospital in Oklahoma City. He also undertook an orthopedic surgery residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington, Mich. Dr. Freeh specializes in trauma surgery, shoulder injury and osteoporosis and has successfully treated thousands of fractures. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as an examiner for the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, is a member of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry and is a faculty member at the Association for Study of Internal Fixation.

Tom Fry, MD. Dr. Fry, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, currently sits on the board of Lutheran Campus ASC in Wheat Ridge, Colo., a Pinnacle III facility. His practice is Colorado Hand & Arm, also based in Wheat Ridge. Dr. Fry earned his MD from Ohio State in Columbus and completed his residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colo. He completed a hand fellowship at the University of Miami. He previously acted as chief of hand surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

Tom N. Galouzis, MD, FACS. Dr. Galouzis is the president and CEO of the Nikitis Resource Group and currently practices as a general surgeon at Lake Park Surgicare in Hobart, Ind. He previously served as associate staff in the department of surgery as a clinical instructor of surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where he received his medical degree.

Robert Gannan, MD, PhD. Dr. Gannan is the founder and clinical strategies advisor for Doylestown, Pa.-based Physicians Endoscopy. He is a nationally recognized expert in endoscopic procedures. Dr. Gannan established Eastside Endoscopy Center as one of the first outpatient endoscopy centers in Washington State. He retired from clinical practice in Dec. 2006. Dr. Gannan is a regular speaker at national meetings of gastrointestinal physicians regarding practice and development trends. He received his medical degree from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Dr. Gantwerker is the president of The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles. He previously worked at the Narrow Neurological Institute at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his medical degree from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

David S. George, MD. Dr. George is an ophthalmologist with The Eye MDs of George, Strickler and Lazer, based in Marietta, Ohio. His special interests include topical cataract surgery and glaucoma and diabetic eye care, as well as refractive surgery, which he began performing in 1999. He is a member of the board of directors for the ASC Association and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society. Dr. George received his medical degree from Ohio State University in Columbus, completed his internship at Riverside (Calif.) Hospital and his residency in ophthalmology at the Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Gregory George, MD, PhD. Dr. George is the founding principal of SurgCenter Development, which partners with local surgeons to create physician-owned and operated ASCs. As an ophthalmologist with a busy practice and high surgical volume, Dr. George recognizes the need for surgeons to have more control over their daily schedule, surgical time, operating room protocols and surgical staffing. Under his leadership, SurgCenter Development has developed more than 60 profitable, physician-owned ASCs. Dr. George earned his MD from Duke University in Durham, N.C., and earned a PhD from Duke in ocular physiology.

Scott Gibbs, MD. Dr. Gibbs is the founder of the Brain and NeuroSpine Clinic of Missouri and also serves as director of the Southeast Missouri Hospital's Brain and Spine Center, both located in Cape Girardeau, Mo. In addition to serving on the medical staff at Saint Francis Medical Center, he founded the International Brain Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at brain awareness.

Carlos Giron, MD. Dr. Giron is an anesthesiologist at The Pain Institute of Georgia in Macon. He’s been practicing medicine for 20 years, and received his medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He’s also the executive director of the Georgia Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

Scott E. Glaser, MD, FIPP. Dr. Glaser is a well-respected pain specialist and founder of the Pain Specialists of Greater Chicago in Burr Ridge, Ill. He serves as director on the national board of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and was heavily involved in the lobbying efforts required to ensure passage of the NASPER bill and still works closely with the Illinois Department of Health and the chief pharmacist to implement the program in Illinois. Dr. Glaser was one of the first instructors selected by the International Spinal Intervention Society, the first society to provide training by experts in the performance of spinal injections. As an instructor, he teaches other physicians minimally invasive spinal procedures on cadavers at national courses. He also presents continuing medical education lectures at ASIPP meetings. Dr. Glaser received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He completed his anesthesia residency and fellowship at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

Edward Glinski, DO, MBA, CPE. Dr. Glinski is the medical director at Heritage Eye Surgicenter of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City and is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. Aside from his clinical work at the surgery center, Dr. Glinski also serves as an accreditation surveyor for the organization Health Facilities Accreditation Program.

Steven A. Gunderson, DO. Dr. Gunderson is CEO/medical director of Rockford (Ill.) Ambulatory Surgery Center. He has been affiliated with Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated since 1984, and has served as a member of its board of directors and executive committee. He has been active in healthcare for more 30 years, and during the past nearly 20 years he has been extremely active in the ASC industry. Dr. Gunderson has been a surveyor for the AAAHC since 1996, and is a member of the American College of Physician Executives and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association of Illinois. He is a past member of the board of directors of the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association. He currently sits on the board of AAAHC, the board of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists, the Illinois Department of Public Health Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Licensing Board and the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification.

Nameer Haider, MD. Dr. Haider is a pain management physician with Spinal & Skeletal Pain Medicine in Utica, N.Y. Dr. Haider has training in the most advanced techniques in pain treatment, including minimally invasive spinal surgery and laser disc surgery. Dr. Haider is also medical director of Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center in New Hartford, N.Y., and partner of the outpatient pain practice Advanced Physician Medicine & Rehabilitation in Utica, N.Y.

John H. Hajjar, MD. Dr. Hajjar is the CEO of Urology Specialty Care in northern New Jersey. He earned his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1981 and completed his surgical and urological training at the New York University Medical Center in New York City. After spending time researching the genetic aspects of kidney cancer, Dr. Hajjar turned his focus to clinical urology and patient care. He has been practicing in northern New Jersey since 1988 and has developed a reputation as a skilled and trusted surgeon. He has held appointments as chief of urology at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, N.J., an associate professor at NYU Medical Center and an urologist at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J., and The Englewood (N.J.) Hospital. In addition to his medical degree, he holds an MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he completed a yearlong project on office-based surgery centers. He has published various articles on urology and other subjects and received a Valentine Award for research on DNA analysis of kidney cancer from 1987-1988.

Hans Hansen, MD. Dr. Hansen is the director of the Pain Relief Centers in Conover, N.C. He also serves as an executive member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and a sitting member of the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee and Physician Advisory Committee for Medicaid. During his career, Dr. Hansen has also served on the editorial board for Pain Physician. He remains active in educating and training other pain management physicians. Dr. Hansen earned his medical degree at the University of Colorado Health and Sciences Center in Denver and completed his residency training in anesthesiology and chronic pain management at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

Stephen Hochschuler, MD. Dr. Hochschuler, founder of Texas Back Institute in Plano, has served as president of the Spine Arthroplasty Society and founding member of the American Board of Spinal Surgery. During his career, Dr. Hochschuler has served in leadership positions of several spine technology companies, including SpineMark and Innovative Spinal Technologies. He earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in Boston and served as a captain and major in the United States Air Force.

Scott Holley, MD. Dr. Holley is the president and founder of Great Lakes Plastic & Hand Surgery in Portage and Battle Creek, Mich. He is board certified in general surgery, plastic surgery and holds the certificate of added qualification as a specialist in hand surgery. Dr. Holley is president of the Michigan Association of Hand Surgery and is a member of numerous professional societies. He received medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed residencies in general and plastic surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He completed fellowships in hand and microsurgery at the Kleinert Institute in Louisville, Ky., burn surgery at the Shriner's Hospital in Cincinnati and cosmetic surgery with Drs. Baker, Stuzin and Gordon in Miami.

Stephen Holst, MD. Dr. Holst practices urology at Big Horn Urology in Sheridan, Wyo. He earned his MD from the University of Colorado in Boulder and also completed his residency in surgery and urology at the university. He is affiliated with the American Board of Urology, American Lithotripsy Society, American Urological Association and Rocky Mountain Urological Society.

Gregory Horner, MD. Dr. Horner is the managing partner of Smithfield Surgical Partners, a national ASC management and development firm, and a board member of the California Ambulatory Surgery Association. He is a fellowship-trained hand surgeon and a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Horner continues to practice hand surgery with Tri-Valley Orthopaedic Specialists in California. Prior to forming Smithfield, He has founded multiple ASCs and remains the CEO of Hacienda Surgery Center in Pleasanton, Calif., and Pleasanton Surgery Center. Dr. Horner orchestrated the turnaround of Pleasanton Surgery Center, leading it from substantial loss to become one of California's most profitable centers in 2007.

Young B. Huh, MD. Dr. Huh is a gastroenterologist with Gastroenterology Associates, P.C., in Bettendorf, Iowa. Dr. Huh received his MD from the University of Buffalo and completed and internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He also undertook a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has published work in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Dr. Huh is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and hepatology. He serves as a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association. He practices at the Center for Digestive Health, which was established in 2004 as a joint venture between Gastroenterology Associates, P.C., and Genesis Medical Center.

Richard Hynes, MD. Dr. Hynes is a spine surgeon who has been serving as president of The B.A.C.K. Center in Melbourne, Fla., since 1996. The B.A.C.K. Center originates from the Brevard Orthopaedic Clinic, which was founded in 1981 by Glenn Bryan, MD. The clinic shifted its focus to treatment of the neck and spine with the addition of Dr. Hynes in 1992. He is a spine surgeon at Osler Medical and consultant for Medtronic. Along with his clinical work, Dr. Hynes is also a director of TXEDAKA, a charity that helps low-income individuals gain access to the medical care they need. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American College of Spine Surgeons and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Dr. Hynes earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (then Rutgers Medical School) in New Brunswick, N.J., completed his residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu and received fellowship training in spine surgery at Harvard University in Boston.

Jack E. Jensen, MD, FACSM. Dr. Jensen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and medical director of Athletic Orthopedics and Knee Center, an integrated healthcare plaza specializing in the care of knees, and the founder of a surgery center in Houston. He has a very active role in the Texas Ambulatory Surgical Center Association and remains an extremely solid contributor to the ASC industry. Dr. Jensen has been distinguished with the title fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. A former associate editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, he has co-authored numerous articles and two books, A Healthy 10! and The One Stop Knee Shop. He received his medical degree from Kansas University in Lawrence, and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas in Austin and a fellowship in sports medicine at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Dr. Jensen has served as an orthopedic consultant to the U.S. Gymnastic Federation and team physician to Karolyi's Gymnastics, USA Swimming Foundation, Association of Tennis Professionals and numerous Olympic and professional athletes.

Don Johnson, MD. Dr. Johnson is the medical director at Southeastern Spine Institute and Ambulatory Surgery Center in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and spine surgery. He’s a clinical instructor in the department of orthopedic surgery’s resident training in spine surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina. He formerly served as the president of the South Carolina Spine Society, South Carolina Orthopedic Political Action Committee and South Carolina Orthopedic Association. He’s served several terms on the board of trustees for the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Johnson has also served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances and Spine Section Journal of Southern Orthopedic Association.

Karamjit Khanduja, MD. Dr. Khanduja is a colorectal surgeon who serves on the medical staff of Green Street Surgery Center in Columbus, Ohio, a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility, and practices at Colon & Rectal Surgery in Columbus. He received his medical education from Grant Med College in Mumbai, India, and at the University of Bombay in Maharashtra, India. Dr. Khanduja received training in colon and rectal surgery at Grant Med Center in Columbus and general surgery at Mount Carmel (Ohio) Medical Center.

Douglas D. Koch, MD. Dr. Koch is medical director of Baylor Vision, the refractive surgery clinical and research group at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is also professor of ophthalmology at the Cullen Eye Institute at Baylor College of Medicine. He is editor of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and past president of the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Koch is one of six charter members of the executive committee of the Refractive Surgery Interest Group of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Koch earned his MD from Harvard Medical School in Boston. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine and fellowship training in London, Los Angeles and Seattle. In a survey byOphthalmology Times, Dr. Koch was named one of the top 10 refractive surgeons in the United States.

Marc E. Koch, MD, MBA. Dr. Koch is the president and CEO of Somnia Anesthesia, where he focuses on ensuring that all efforts further the company's mission of offering high-quality, cost-efficient anesthesia solutions to hospitals, ASCs and office-based facilities nationwide. Dr. Koch co-founded Resource Anesthesiology Associates in 1996. He graduated with honors from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and completed his internship at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., and a residency in anesthesia at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. Dr. Koch is a board-certified anesthesiologist.

Satish Kodali, MD. Dr. Kodali is an ENT physician and one of the physician owners of The Surgery Center in Franklin, Wis., a joint venture between Associated Surgical & Medical Specialists and Aurora HealthCare Ventures. He currently serves as president of The Surgery Center's board of managers and was a key player in negotiations during the joint-venture process. Dr. Kodali has been practicing all of the components of ENT, including pediatric, head and neck oncology, otology, advanced endoscopic sinus surgery, sleep apnea and trauma and reconstructive surgery since 1998. He received his MD from and completed his residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is a clinical instructor for the St. Luke's Family Practice residency program and an assistant clinical professor for the Department of Otolaryngology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Peter Kosek, MD. Dr. Kosek practices at Pain Consultants of Oregon in Eugene. He most recently served as the president of the Oregon Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Appointed by the Governor of Oregon, he has served as a member of the Oregon Pain Management Commission of the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Kosek is a certified principle investigator through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals and has been involved in more than 25 clinical trials of medication and device therapies for acute, chronic and cancer related pain. Dr. Kosek completed medical school at University of California, Los Angeles, and his residency at Stanford University where he joined the faculty. He then moved to Oregon and served on the faculty at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland before setting up his private practice in Eugene. He is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management.

Donald Kramer, MD. With a medical practice spanning more than 25 years, Dr. Kramer has developed several successful ASCs in the Houston market and is the founder of Northstar Healthcare, which develops and, in conjunction with physician partners, owns and operates significant ASCs in concentrated markets. He serves also as president and medical director for Northstar. Dr. Kramer is an active member of the Harris County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association and Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society, and previously served on the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He received his MD from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.

Alan B. Kravitz, MD. Dr. Kravitz is a general surgeon at Montgomery Surgery Center in Rockville, Md., and advisor for Surgical Care Affiliate's supply chain team. He has been in private practice in Montgomery County and since 1993 has been voted by his fellow physicians as a "Top Doctor" for Washingtonian Magazine. Dr. Kravitz has served as chairman of the department of surgery at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and is currently chairman of the general surgery section. He serves as chairman of the quality improvement advisory committee for CareFirst in the Washington-Baltimore area. He received his MD from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at the Medical Center of Delaware in 1988.

Timothy Kremchek, MD. Dr. Kremchek is one of the leading shoulder surgeons in the country and is a physician with Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Sharonville, Ohio. He has developed plans and thoughts around operating surgery centers and building and marketing brands for orthopedic surgeons and for surgery centers. His professional interests range from advanced arthroscopic repair of the shoulder and knee injuries to total joint reconstruction. Dr. Kremchek serves as medical director and chief orthopedic physician for the Cincinnati Reds and as a team physician for area high schools and has been featured on HBO's Real Sports program regarding youth baseball injuries. Dr. Kremchek received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Richard Kube, MD. Dr. Kube is the CEO, founder and owner of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute in Peoria, Ill. He is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who performs minimally invasive, motion-preserving surgical techniques, including sacroiliac joint surgery. Dr. Kube is currently affiliated with four different hospitals in southern Illinois and is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He was team physician for Saint Louis University's soccer and basketball teams and has presented or lectured at professional seminars in South Korea, Canada, Germany and Hungary, among other locations. After Dr. Kube earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his residency at Saint Louis University Hospital and received fellowship training at Spine Surgery PSC in Louisville, Ky.

Peter R. Kurzweil, MD. Dr. Kurzweil is the founder of the Surgery Center of Long Beach (Calif.) and is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon with expertise in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the knee and shoulder and the treatment of athletic injuries. He is the fellowship director for the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine in Long Beach. He is team physician for California State University in Long Beach, the Long Beach Ice Dogs, a professional hockey team in the IHL, as well as several local high school football teams. He serves as chairman of the department of orthopedics at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Arthroscopy and Related Research. Dr. Kurzweil received his medical degree from the University of Rochester (N.Y.) School of Medicine and Dentistry, and completed his residency at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York and his fellowship in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, knee and shoulder reconstruction and replacement at the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine.

Brent W. Lambert, MD, FACS. Dr. Lambert is the founder and CEO of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and previously developed and owned three ambulatory surgical centers, including the first eye ASC in New England. Dr. Lambert is currently responsible for business development at ASCOA. He earned his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.

Gregory Lauro, MD. Dr. Lauro is the president and medical director of Laurel Surgical Center in Greensburg, Pa. Dr. Lauro is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who opened the center in 2004 with a group of surgeon-investors. The center has been in partnership with Meridian Surgical Partners since 2007. Dr. Lauro received his MD from the University of Rochester in New York and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at The Ohio State University in Columbus. Dr. Lauro went on to complete a fellowship at The National Hospital for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Joint Replacement Surgery in Arlington. He is affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society and Westmoreland County (Pa.) Medical Society.

Lance J. Lehmann, MD. Dr. Lehmann is an interventional pain physician who spends a tremendous amount of time studying business and healthcare. He is a physician with the Pain Consultants of Florida in Hollywood. Dr. Lehmann completed his pain management fellowship at Harvard University's Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and is a former instructor in anesthesiology and pain management at Harvard University. He received his residency training in anesthesiology and critical care at the University of Miami and completed an internship in internal medicine at Yale University's Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital. He is board certified in pain management by the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Jeffrey Leider, MD. Dr. Jeffrey Leider is a co-owner of Great Lakes Surgical Center in Southfield, Mich., as well as a physician and surgeon at the American Ear, Nose and Throat Institute in Farmington, Mich. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and has published numerous research articles, including one on the effect of head position on Eustachian tube function. He serves as a clinical assistant professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he helps train otolaryngology residents, and is also affiliated with William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., and Berry Surgery Center in Farmington Hills, Mich. Dr. Leider earned his MD from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor in 1988 and completed his otolaryngology residency.

Brad D. Lerner, MD, FACS. Dr. Lerner is the clinical director at Houston-based Summit Ambulatory Surgery Centers. He has practiced urology for more than 20 years and has served as the clinical director of ASCs for more than 15 years. He was one of the first fertility specialists in Maryland and is highly experienced in urologic microsurgery. Prior to joining Summit, Dr. Lerner served as clinical director of Urologic Surgery Associates ASCs in Baltimore for more than a decade. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in College Park and completed his residency at the University of Maryland Hospital.

Jay R. Levinson, MD. Dr. Levinson serves as medical director of Michigan Endoscopy Center in Farmington Hills. An accomplished gastroenterologist, Dr. Levinson was recognized by his peers as one of the region's most respected gastroenterologists in Detroit Magazine's "Top Doc" survey in 2005 and 2008. Dr. Levinson earned his MD from Wayne State University and completed his residency at Sinai-Grace Hospital, both in Detroit. He is board certified in gastroenterology by the ABMS Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Levinson holds hospital privileges at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich., Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Mich., and St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren, Mich., in addition to his work at Michigan Endoscopy Center.

Bruce Levy, MD, JD. Dr. Levy is CEO of Austin (Texas) Gastroenterology and serves on the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society Board of Directors. He is a board-certified anesthesiologist who previously practiced at The Methodist Hospital and served on the Baylor College of Medicine faculty, both in Houston. He was appointed the executive director of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners in 1993 and served in that capacity until 2000. Dr. Levy has actively testified in front of the Texas Legislature on behalf of the ASC industry, as well as in front of the U.S. Senate Committees on Health Issues. Dr. Levy received his MD from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia and his JD from The University of Houston Bates School of Law.

Marshall S. Lewis, MD. Dr. Lewis is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Bakersfield, Calif., where he has established medical privileges at every major hospital in the area. He serves as chief of orthopedic surgery for several different hospitals and also runs a private practice, where he focuses on combining the latest technology with his decades of orthopedic experience. Dr. Lewis began his medical training at New York Medical College and completed an internship at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He also completed an intensive research fellowship in Switzerland, where he focused on hip replacement and A-O fracture fixation techniques.

Stephen Lloyd, MD, PhD. Dr. Lloyd is a board-certified internist who has practiced in the Midlands in South Carolina for about 30 years. A Maryland native, he earned his MD and doctorate from Duke University in Durham, N.C. He completed an internship at Duke and then moved to South Carolina and began his affiliation with the University of South Carolina medical school in Columbia. Dr. Lloyd currently practices at South Carolina Medical Endoscopy Center in Columbia, where he has trained over 100 physicians in colonoscopy. He is a passionate advocate for the prevention of colorectal cancer and frequently lectures around his community on the subject. Dr. Lloyd also serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging and the strategic planning committee of the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

Thomas Lorish, MD. Dr. Lorish is the medical director of the Providence Brain Institute in Portland, Ore. He is a physiatrist and tremendous leader of their efforts to move towards an ASC effort and philosophy. With his help, Providence has become one of leaders in ASC joint ventures in the country. In addition to shaping the vision for Providence Brain Institute, Dr. Lorish helped establish Providence Stroke Center, Providence Epilepsy Center, Providence ALS Center and Providence Multiple Sclerosis Center. He also led the expansion of Providence's rehabilitation services. Dr. Lorish earned his medical degree at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn. He is a past president of the Oregon Medical Association's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section and has served on the Oregon Physical Therapy Licensing Board.

James Lynch, MD. Dr. Lynch is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon and board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of SpineNevada in Reno. He also serves as chairman and director of spine programs at Surgery Center of Reno, and regularly lectures on outpatient spine surgery. He has a professional interest in complex spine surgery, spinal deformities, trauma and minimally invasive surgery. He is on staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Renown Regional Medical Center, both located in Reno. Dr. Lynch also serves as director, spine services, for Regent Surgical Health, where he directs Regent's program to help physicians develop spine-focused ASCs and specialty spine hospitals. He earned his medical degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, followed by a residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Lynch completed three spine fellowships at the Mayo Clinic, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, England, and the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Laximaiah Manchikanti, MD. Dr. Manchikanti is the CEO of Pain Management Center of Paducah (Ky.) and is also chairman of the board and CEO of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and Society of Interventional Pain Management Surgery Centers. He has been in private practice in Paducah since 1980, and has been instrumental in the preservation of interventional pain management. He earned his medical degree from Gandhi Medical College in India and completed his fellowship in anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Ajay Mangal, MD, MBA. Dr. Mangal is the founder, CEO and a board member of Prexus Health Partners in Hamilton, Ohio, and is also a board-certified ENT physician. As a hands-on executive at Prexus, he has been instrumental in developing ASCs and assisting existing centers and hospitals to prosper. He is on staff at Butler County Medical Center in Hamilton, Fort Hamilton, Mercy Fairfield (Ohio) and Cincinnati Children's Hospitals. Dr. Mangal received his medical degree from The University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City. He completed his residency in otolaryngology head and neck surgery from The University of Cincinnati. Dr. Mangal received his MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Lee James Marek, DPM. Dr. Marek is a podiatrist at North Point Surgery Center in Fresno, Calif. He is also affiliated with several California hospitals in Taft, Delano, Bakersfield and Ridgecrest. Dr. Marek is an associate professor with the California College of Podiatric Medicine and residency director at Delano Regional Medical Center. He received his DPM from the College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco and performed his surgical residency at Fountain Valley (Calif.) Regional Hospital.

Bryan Massoud, MD. Dr. Massoud is founder and head surgeon at Spine Centers of America in Fair Lawn, N.J. He received training at Texas Back Institute in Plano, and has performed more than 1,000 endoscopic spine surgeries, including endoscopic cervical spine surgery. He also trains spine surgeons in endoscopic procedures, and articles he has authored on the subject are published in professional journals. Along with his clinical practice, Dr. Massoud is an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Seton Hall University's School of Health and Medical Sciences in South Orange, N.J. He earned his medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J., completed his orthopedic surgery residency at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.

Alfred McNair, MD. Dr. McNair is a gastroenterologist who founded Digestive Health Center in Biloxi, Miss. He earned his medical degree at Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver and has practiced at several hospitals in Mississippi, most recently being Ocean Springs Hospital. He completed his medical and specialty training at Stanford (Calif.) University and Columbia University in New York City.

Christopher Metz, MD. Dr. Metz is a board-certified general orthopedic surgeon at Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center in Baxter, Minn. He has a professional interest in total joint replacement, trauma and shoulder surgery. While his primary practice location is in Brainerd, Minn., he also does outreach clinics in Staples and Onamia. Dr. Metz has been in practice since 1998 and served as chief of surgery at St. Joseph's Medical Center from 2004-2006, as chief of staff - elect from 2006-2008 and as chief of staff from 2008-2010. He is currently a member of the medical executive committee at the hospital, as well as the physician advisor for the Joint Wellness Center. Dr. Metz earned his MD from the University of Minnesota and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Metz is affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Minnesota Medical Association, the Minnesota Orthopedic Society and the Upper Mississippi Medical Society.

Keith Metz, MD. Dr. Metz is the medical director of Great Lakes Surgical Center in Southfield, Mich., which includes four ORs and one procedure room. He is a clinical anesthesiologist and he has served on the board of directors for the ASC Association. Dr. Metz earned his medical degree at Wayne State University in Detroit.

Jeffrey Michaelson, MD. Dr. Michaelson specializes in orthopedic surgery at the Porretta Center for Orthopaedic Surgery in Southfield, Mich., as well as Providence and Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Mich., and DMC Surgery Hospital in Madison Heights, Mich. He is especially interested in arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, knee and ankle and in sports medicine. He was recognized by his peers as one of Detroit's most respected orthopedic specialists in Detroit Magazine's annual "Top Docs" ranking in 2008. A member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Michaelson received his MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Thomas K. Miller, MD. Dr. Miller is an orthopedic surgeon at the Roanoke (Va.) Ambulatory Surgery Center and Carilion Clinic Orthopaedics. He has specialty experience in sports medicine, arthroscopy and knee and shoulder reconstruction. Dr. Miller has been team physician for the U.S. National Triathlon Team and the Salem Red Sox baseball team. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery and holds academic appointments as assistant professor of medical specialties, orthopedics, at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Va., and as clinical associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Thomas Miller, DPM. Dr. Miller is a board-certified podiatrist at the Surgery Center of Beaufort (S.C.). A member of the Podiatry Associates of Beaufort, Dr. Miller earned his MD from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland and completed his residency in podiatric surgery from Northwest General Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. He is also affiliated with Beaufort Memorial Hospital, a Duke Medicine affiliate.

Arvind Movva, MD. Dr. Movva is currently CEO of Heartland Clinic, Valley View Anesthesia and Regional SurgiCenter, an eight-OR multi-specialty ASC in Moline, Ill. He also practices as a gastroenterologist and serves as co-founder and consultant with Movva Medical Consulting. Dr. Movva joined Gastroenterology Consultants upon completion of his fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia in 2010. He offers a full range of gastroenterology care, including ERCP/EUS, hemorrhoidal banding and a cure for Barrett's Esophagus. Dr. Movva received his MD from The Chicago Medical School and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago.

Michael J. Musacchio, Jr., MD. Dr. Musacchio is a neurosurgeon who focuses on minimally invasive spine surgery. He co-opened an ambulatory surgery center, Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery. He also practices at the Center for Spine Care in Dallas. He has received awards for his academic and research achievements, and his clinical research has been published in several peer-reviewed scientific publications. He received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago and is a member of many organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and North American Spine Society.

Fred Naraghi, MD. Dr. Naraghi is an orthopedic spine surgeon and the director of the Comprehensive Spine Center in San Francisco. He specializes in minimally invasive cervical and lumbar disc surgery. He conducts clinical research for spinal stenosis, bone morphogenic proteins for cervical fusions, non-fusion stabilization of the spine and more. He completed a spine surgery fellowship at the San Francisco Spine Institute.

Robert Nucci, MD. Dr. Nucci is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon and founder of Nucci Spine & Orthopedics Institute in Tampa, Fla. He helped develop and implement minimally invasive surgical techniques and serves as an international speaker on spine surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. Dr. Nucci earned his medical degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at State University of New York health Science Center at Brooklyn. His additional training includes a fellowship at Florida Neck and Back Institute in Gainesville.

Joan F. O'Shea, MD. Dr. O'Shea is a dually trained neurosurgeon and spine surgeon and founder of The Spine Institute of Southern New Jersey in Marlton. She has published several papers on treatments for patients suffering from spinal cancers and complex spinal disorders. She has been an invited lecturer for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and is a member of the North American Spine Society and Women in Neurosurgery.

Bergein Overholt, MD, FACP, MACG. Dr. Overholt is a physician with Gastrointestinal Associates in Knoxville, Tenn. He served in the Cancer Control Program of the U.S. Public Health Service and developed the flexible fibersigmoidscope-colonscope, which earned him the Schindler Award from the ASGE and the William Beaumont Award from the AMA. Dr. Overholt has served as president of the ASGE and the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and is a founding member and past president of the Tennessee Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. He was the chief of staff at St. Mary's Medical Center from 1981-1983. Dr. Overholt serves as the medical director of the laser department of the Thompson Cancer Survival Center. He has published numerous articles, written several chapters for books and recently co-edited the book Office Endoscopy. Dr. Overholt received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Medical School in Knoxville and completed his internship, residency and fellowship in gastroenterology at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Burak Ozgur, MD. Dr. Ozgur is a neurological spine surgeon at DISC Sports & Spine Center, based in Marina del Rey, Calif., and he leads its new location in Newport Beach that includes an ambulatory surgery center. He has authored more than 27 articles in peer-reviewed publications and completed a combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgery fellowship at the University of California San Diego Medical Center. In addition to his directorship at DISC, he maintains full staff privileges as an attending neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He previously served as an assistant professor of neurosurgery, director of spinal neurosurgery and co-director of the University of California Irvine Comprehensive Spine Program.

Paul D. Pace, MD. Dr. Pace is a hand surgeon practicing at the San Antonio Orthopaedic Group in San Antonio, where he has worked since 1998. He previously practiced with the Hand Associates of South Texas in San Antonio from 1982-1998. Dr. Pace earned his MD from Tulane University in New Orleans and completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed residencies at M.D. Anderson Hospital, Texas Heart Institute in Houston, University of Texas Health Science Center, both in Houston, and Peter Brent Brigham Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He also undertook a fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery at the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Pace's special interests include carpal tunnel syndrome, care of wrist and hand fractures, tendon repair, nerve repair, trigger finger and pediatric hand and wrist injuries, among others.

Allan T. Parr, MD. Dr. Parr is the medical director of Premier Pain Center in Covington, La., and the president of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. He is also a member of the American Pain Society, American Society of Anesthesiologists, International Spinal Injection Society and American Academy of Pain Physicians. In addition to his practice, Dr. Parr conducts research on chronic pain issues and has published articles on topics such as cervical epidurals and managing lower back pain. Dr. Parr earned his medical degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport and completed a residency in anesthesiology and pain management at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn. His additional training includes an internship with an emphasis on pediatric and neonatal intensive care at Oschner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Greg Parsons, MD. Dr. Parsons is the medical director of the Carolina Surgical Center, a joint venture with Tenet Health Systems in Rock Hill, S.C. He has been on the staff of the center since its beginning in 1989, and has been the president of the physician group for more than 10 years. He was instrumental in the hiring of Joe Zasa, the co-founder of ASD Management, to manage the center. Dr. Parsons, in conjunction with Tenet and ASD, has led this redevelopment process and it has resulted in a dramatic resurgence for the center. Dr. Parsons was named one of North Carolina's best doctors in 2009 by Boston-based rating company Best Doctors.

Prakash Patel, MD. Dr. Patel is CEO of Access MediQuip, a national provider of surgical implant management solutions. He has more than 14 years of healthcare experience, including operations, product development, network, alliances, acquisitions and strategy. Dr. Patel joined AMQ from Magellan Health Services, where he served as chief corporate development officer. He also led operations at Magellan's National Imaging Associates. Prior to Magellan, Dr. Patel held positions as CEO of Imericius Healthcare, managing director of Internet Healthcare Group and served as a vice president of Scheer and Company.

Charles Peck, MD, FACP. Dr. Peck is the president and CEO of Health Inventures. He has more than 30 years of healthcare experience as a clinician, internist, rheumatologist, scientist and other roles within the healthcare environment. As CEO of Health Inventures, he actively oversees the company's growth in outpatient surgery partnerships as well as physician practice management and inpatient perioperative management with hospitals and physicians.

John H. Peloza, MD. Dr. Peloza is an orthopedic spine surgeon, founder and medical director of the Center for Spine Care and founding physician partner of the Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Dallas, which was recently founded through a partnership between Meridian Surgical Partners and local physicians. He is a leading expert in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped launch several minimally invasive spine surgery technologies. He is an investigator/researcher in FDA trials, such as MAVERICK total disc replacement, and holds multiple spinal technology patents. He is a spine consultant to the U.S. Ski Team and a member of numerous national and international medical organizations.

Kenneth Pettine, MD. Dr. Pettine is the co-founder of Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine in Loveland, Colo., and the founder of the new Society for Ambulatory Spine Surgery. He has an extensive background in spinal surgery, research and rehabilitation and is board certified. Dr. Pettine co-invented, designed and patented the Maverick Artificial Disc, a new technology for neck and back intervertebral disc replacement. Dr. Pettine is the recipient of numerous honors and the author of nearly 20 research publications, and he is currently the chief FDA, IDE investigator for the Raymedica lumbar nucleus disc replacement. He received his medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He completed his fellowship at the Institute for Low Back Care in Minneapolis.

Stanford R. Plavin, MD. Dr. Plavin has served as a member of Ambulatory Anesthesia of Atlanta since its inception and has been the managing partner for the last several years. He is an active member of local and state anesthesia societies and is the immediate past president of the Greater Atlanta Society of Anesthesiologists. During his career with Ambulatory Anesthesia of Atlanta, Dr. Plavin has advocated for improved patient safety, saying that appropriate licensed and trained providers are essential during administration of anesthesia and that most efforts to discredit anesthesiologist-directed sedation are based on faulty information. Dr. Plavin also serves as the vice chair of the National Coalition for Quality Colorectal Cancer Screening and Care. He received his MD from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington and completed his residency in anesthesiology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. He practices exclusively in the outpatient setting.

Thomas J. Pliura, MD, JD, PC. Dr. Pliura is a physician and attorney at law with the company he founded, zChart, an electronic medical records-related company. He has also served as founder and manager of four ASCs. In 1998, he sought and received the first favorable Medicare Advisory Opinion in the country, certifying that a proposed ASC was exempt from Stark Laws under a rural provider exemption.

William A. Portuese, MD. Dr. Portuese is the current president of the Washington ASC Association and Washington State Chapter of Facial Plastic Surgeons, as well as a clinical instructor in the department of otolaryngology in head and neck surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He specializes in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck and has studied recent advancements in facial cosmetic surgery, including tissue adhesive techniques and lower eyelid surgery without external incisions. In 2008, he earned the Washington ASC Association Physician of the Year Award. He regularly gives presentations on facial plastic surgery on local, national and international levels and has authored numerous publications in his field. Dr. Portuese completed his surgical internship and residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, and undertook a fellowship in facial plastic surgery in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Greg Poulter, MD. Dr. Poulter is a spine surgeon at Vail (Colo.) Summit Orthopaedics. He was among the first surgeons to perform minimally invasive spinal fusion. His specialty is advanced adult and pediatric spine surgery. He has received a grant from the Scoliosis Research Society to investigate the impact of adult deformity on health related quality of life and a grant from Medtronic to perform a biomechanical investigation of the augmentation of lumbar interbody cages with supplementary anterior instrumentation. He received his MD from Drexel University's MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia, completed his residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and an orthopedic spine fellowship at the University of California San Francisco.

Thomas E. Price, MD (R-Ga.). Dr. Price is an orthopedic physician who now serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the sixth district of Georgia. Dr. Price has been an outspoken advocate for patient-centered healthcare reform in Washington, D.C., and developed the Comprehensive HealthCARE Act, designed about positive changes to provide access for all Americans to affordable, quality healthcare. In 2002, he came the first Republican majority leader in the history of Georgia and is now ranking Republican member of the health, employment, labor and pensions subcommittee. Prior to serving in Congress, he was medical director of the Orthopaedic Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, teaching resident doctors in training, and was in private practice for nearly 20 years. Dr. Price received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta.

Vito Quatela, MD. Dr. Quatela co-founded Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies and serves as CEO. He developed and owns two ASCs in Rochester, N.Y., and founded HUGS, a non-profit organization that does medical mission trips to third-world countries. He is a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and is the immediate past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Dr. Quatela earned his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago and completed a facial plastic fellowship at Tulane University in New Orleans and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.

David J. Raab, MD. Dr. Raab is on the board of managers at the Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center in Morton Grove, Ill., and is a fellowship-trained sports medicine physician with Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Morton Grove. His professional interests include total joint replacement, arthroscopy and pediatric orthopedics. He also serves as an assistant professor at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. Dr. Raab earned his medical degree at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship in sports medicine at Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center.

Michael R. Redler, MD. Dr. Redler is a founding partner of The Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Fairfield, Conn. He is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine and hand surgeon. He serves as an orthopedic consultant to Major League Lacrosse and associate clinical professor for the department of physical therapy and athletic trainers at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. Dr. Redler earned his medical degree at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Storrs and completed a fellowship in sports medicine and hand surgery at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville.

Wallace Reed, MD. Anesthesiologist Dr. Reed is credited with co-founding the nation's first ASC in Phoenix and has been recognized for his "vision and tireless advocacy on behalf of ASCs," according to a 2010 statement by ASC Association President Kathy Bryant. At age 94, he continues to inspire ASC community members to reach even greater heights in the surgery center industry and lead improvements in healthcare. Dr. Reed and his late partner, John L. Ford, founded Surgicenter in 1970 to provide patients with high-quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, setting the standard for ASCs all over the country. In 2010, Dr. Reed received the "2010 Health Care Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Phoenix Business Journal.

Christopher Reising, MD. Dr. Reising is president of the board of directors for Pine Ridge Surgery Center in Wausau, Wis., a Pinnacle III facility. His practice is Surgical Associates in Wausau. His medical interests include endocrine surgery, advanced laproscopy of bariatrics, surgical oncology and vascular medicine/vascular procedures. He received his MD from Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, and completed a residency and fellowship at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

J. Michael Ribaudo, MD. Dr. Ribaudo has more than 25 years of experience as a surgeon, healthcare executive and real estate developer and currently serves as CEO and chairman of Ballwin, Mo.-based Surgical Synergies. He is a pioneer in the development of physician-owned ASCs and, in 1982, developed the largest freestanding outpatient surgery center in the country in a city with 28 other competing hospitals. He has served as executive vice president of Surgical Health and HealthSouth Surgery Centers. Dr. Ribaudo graduated from Louisiana State Medical School in Eunice, with graduate medical school training at Emory University in Atlanta, Washington University in St. Louis, and New York University. He received postgraduate training at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass., Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and Stanford (Calif.) Graduate School of Business.

Herbert W. Riemenschneider, MD. Dr. Riemenschneider is the principal physician and urologic surgeon at Riverside Urology in Columbus, Ohio. He is also a clinical assistant professor of urology at The Ohio State University's College of Medicine and is the director of urologic education at Riverside Methodist Hospitals, both in Columbus. Dr. Riemenschneider performed the first prostate cryoablation in Ohio in 1993 and continues to perform the procedure today.

Steven Robinson, MD. Dr. Robinson is a board member and practicing plastic surgeon at Riverside Outpatient Surgery Center in Columbus, Ohio. He is also an active member of the Aesthetic Society and the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and holds staff appointments at several area hospitals. His ASC, has more than 20 co-owners and hosts a variety of specialties, including plastic surgery, ophthalmology, ob-gyn and urology. Dr. Robinson earned his MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus and served two residences, one in general surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit and the other in plastic surgery at OSU Medical Center. He is certified as a general surgeon by the American Board of Surgery and as a plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Paul L. Rohlf, MD. Dr. Rohlf began practicing at Urological Associates in 1969. After a long and successful career serving thousands of patients, he retired from the practice in 2007. During his career, Dr. Rohlf served as president of the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. He was the initial urologist who obtained the first surgery center certificate of need for a center in Iowa and remains a strong leader in the ASC industry following his retirement.

L. Edwin Rudisill, Jr., MD. Dr. Rudisill is one of the leading hand surgeons in the country and practices with The Hand Center in Greenville, S.C. He received his medical degree from Bowman-Gray School of Medicine in Winston Salem, N.C., and completed his orthopedic training with the Greenville (S.C.) Hospital System. He completed a hand and microsurgery fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Rudisill holds a certificate of added qualifications in surgery of the hand and is a member of the American Society of Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

James W. Rust, DPM. Dr. Rust has been in private practice since 1988. In 1991, he joined Atlantic Podiatry Associates in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he currently practices. He also works with Twin Lakes Surgical Center in Daytona Beach and serves on the faculty at Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee. Dr. Rust is a member of the American Podiatry Medical Association, Florida Podiatric Medical Association and the American College of Foot Surgeons. He treats all aspects of podiatric care, including sports medicine and diabetic foot care, in the office and hospital setting. Dr. Rust received his doctorial degree from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatry Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago.

Kuldip S. Sandhu, MD, FACP, FACG. Dr. Sandhu is a gastroenterologist at the Sutter Roseville (Calif.) Endoscopy Center in and is president of Capitol Gastroenterology Consultants Medical Group. He received his medical degree from Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and completed his internship and his residency in internal medicine at MLK-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Sandhu went on to complete his fellowship training in gastroenterology at LAC-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Kent Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS. Dr. Sasse is one of the leading bariatric physicians in the country, serves as the director of the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, Nev., and is an attending surgeon at several hospitals in the area. He is the founder of the International Metabolic Institute, which seeks to bring individuals state-of-the-art medical and scientific principles of physiologic weight reduction. Dr. Sasse is the author of two recent books titled Life-Changing Weight Loss and Doctor's Orders: 101 Medically Proven Tips for Losing Weight. He received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, a master's in health and medical sciences at UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program and an MPH in epidemiology from UC-Berkeley School of Public Health. Dr. Sasse completed his residency at the UCSF department of surgery and his fellowship at the Lahey Clinic department of colon and rectal surgery in Burlington, Mass.

Donald Schellpfeffer, MD. Dr. Schellpfeffer is CEO of Medical Facilities Corp., and has almost 20 years of experience in ambulatory surgical environments and more than 20 years in general, cardiovascular and trauma practices. He has served as medical director and a member of the management committee of Sioux Falls (S.D.) Surgical Center since he founded it in 1985. He also serves as president of Anesthesia Associates, the largest anesthesia services provider in South Dakota. Dr. Schellpfeffer received a PhD in animal physiology from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul and an MD from University of South Dakota School of Medicine in Vermillion.

David Schultz, MD. Dr. Schultz is a board-certified general surgeon at Surgical Associates of Neenah, S.C., in Neenah, Wis. Since the 1980s, the surgical center has maintained a relationship with Theda Clark Medical Center to develop a traumatic injury program and become accredited by the American College of Surgery as a Verified Level II Trauma Center. Dr. Schultz is the director of ThedaStar Aeromedical Services. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Medical Association, Wisconsin Medical Society and Wisconsin Surgical Society.

Bruce A. Scott, MD. Dr. Scott is the medical director of SurgeCenter of Louisville (Ky.) and serves on the physician leadership team for Surgical Care Affiliates. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Scott is a board-certified otolaryngologist and founder and president of Operative Ventures. He has served on the board of the American Medical Association, Kentucky Medical Association, American Medical Association Foundation and the Greater Louisville Health Enterprise Network.

Hooman Sedighi, MD. Dr. Sedighi is a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who has practiced as a private practice physician in Dallas since 1997. He is an equity partner in Pine Creek Medical Center in Dallas, a short-stay surgical hospital that has reported annual profits since its opening in 2005. Dr. Sedighi is also an equity partner in two Gulf States long-term acute care hospitals in Dallas and DeSoto, Texas. Dr. Sedighi was responsible for the development and formation of the physician partnerships for both hospitals. Dr. Sedighi earned his MD from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and is double board certified by the American Board of Physician Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine.

David Shapiro, MD, CASC. Dr. Shapiro is a partner with Ambulatory Surgery Co., an ASC consulting company. In addition to his time as a practicing anesthesiologist, he is chair of the board of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and the Ambulatory Surgical Foundation, and chaired the Florida Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers. He serves as medical director and board member of several ASCs. He also serves as an AAAHC surveyor, certified professional in health risk management and is licensed in health risk management by the state of Florida. He is certified in healthcare compliance.

Joshua A. Siegel, MD. Dr. Siegel is the sports medicine director at Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics in Exeter, N.H., and the founding partner and managing member of Northeast Surgical Care. Dr. Siegel has treated professional, national and Division I collegiate athletes and has mastered the latest techniques in arthroscopic surgical treatments of the knee, shoulder and elbow. As managing member of Northeast Surgical Care, he is in charge of all hiring and management of key staff, developing of new services and physician recruitment, as well as the preparation and schedule for executive physician meetings. Dr. Siegel received his MD from SUNY Buffalo in New York and completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the renowned American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Ala.

Khawar Siddique, MD. Dr. Siddique is a California spine surgeon with the Beverly Hills Spine Surgery. He’s a spine physician and neurosurgeon who specializes in spine disorders. He is currently the principal investigator at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for the Duragen IDE trial on reduction of post-operative scarring after lumbar discectomy. He’s a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Association for Cancer Research and Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Association for Cancer Research and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. Dr. Siddique has given many lectures on advanced spine surgical techniques and has taught many surgical dissection courses to other neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons.

Thomas A. Simpson, MD, FACS. Dr. Simpson is chairman of the board of directors for the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center and led the board of this multi-specialty ASC as it came together to plan and develop the ASC with Mercy Hospital. He serves on the staff for ENT Medical Services and belongs to numerous academic societies and associations. He also serves as president of the board of directors for Mercy of Iowa City Regional PHO and is a former president of the Iowa Academy of Otolaryngology. Dr. Simpson received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City.

Vijay Singh, MD. Dr. Singh is the medical director of Spine Pain Diagnostics Associates in Niagara, Wis., and a lifetime director of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. He is also a member of the International Spinal Injection Society and the North American Spine Society. During his career, Dr. Singh has published several professional articles on topics such as percutaneous disc decompression using Coblation. He has also traveled nationally and internationally to speak about pain management. Dr. Singh earned his medical degree from Motilal Nehru Medical College in Allahabad, India and completed additional training in anesthesia at the University of Florida in Tampa. He also spent time training in neurological surgery at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Paul Slosar, MD. Dr. Slosar is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopedic spine surgeon who performs surgery at the Presidio Surgery Center, an SCA Affiliate, in San Francisco. He is also one of three inaugural members of the SCA National Spine Advisory Panel and president of a busy clinical practice devoted exclusively to the care of patients with spine disorders. Dr. Slosar is actively involved in spine implant and device trials, continuing to identify procedures and techniques which benefit his patients.

Keith Smith, MD. Dr. Smith, a board-certified anesthesiologist, serves as co-founder and chief medical director at Surgery Center of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, a multispecialty surgery center that offers orthopedics, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, plastics and urology services. Dr. Smith earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where he also completed his residency. He went on to complete a fellowship in anesthesiology at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Smith has pioneered new programs at the surgery center that focus on increasing access to affordable healthcare. Three years ago, Dr. Smith posted prices for more than 100 procedures performed at the surgery center with the intention of creating competition with other local providers and driving down healthcare costs.

Eric J. Stahl, MD. Dr. Stahl, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries and shoulder and knee surgery, is the president of Golden Ridge Surgery Center in Golden, Colo. He also specializes in sports medicine at the Panorama Orthopedics and Spine Center in Denver and serves as vice president of the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. During his military service in France, he was the physician for the climbing school and the mountain rescue team in Chamonix. Dr. Stahl completed his internship and surgical residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver and his orthopedic residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland and Phoenix.

Steven Stern, MD. Dr. Stern is a Harvard-trained orthopedic physician. He is the medical director and the vice president of neurosciences orthopedic and spine of United Healthcare. Prior to coming to United Healthcare, he was a leading surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and has developed a very successful surgery center. In his current position at United Healthcare, Dr. Stern is responsible for issues relating to musculoskeletal care, including joint arthroplasty surgery. He is a member of multiple orthopedic societies related to joint replacement surgery, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, The Knee Society, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Association. He has more than 20 years of orthopedic surgical experience and has published multiple articles on total knee and hip arthroplasty and total joint replacement, in addition to his book Key Techniques in Orthopedic Surgery.

Marc Stone, MD. Dr. Stone is an associate professor of anesthesiology and a board-certified anesthesiologist at The Mount Sinai Hospital in Newark, N.J. He received his medical degree from Tufts University. He completed a surgery residency at the Maine Medical Center and a residency in anesthesiology at Mount Sinai Hospital. He completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic anest at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Stone has also conducted clinical trials on the LIDCO System ability to assess potential volume responsiveness in the open chest condition.

David W. Strege, MD. Dr. Strege specializes in orthopedic surgery at Mid County Orthopaedic – Bellevue in St. Louis. He works with St. John's Mercy Health Care, St. Mary's Health Center and Missouri Baptist Medical Center, all in St. Louis, to provide outstanding orthopedic care to his patients. Dr. Strege specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, general orthopedic surgery, reconstructive surgery and elbow and shoulder surgery and has served as a member of the Tissue Advisory Board for Mid-America Transplant Services since 1995. He completed his residency at St. Louis University Hospital and undertook a fellowship in hand surgery at Mayo Graduate School in Rochester, Minn.

Lewis Strong, MD. Dr. Strong is the president of the Skyline Endoscopy Center in Loveland, Colo., a Pinnacle III facility. He earned his MD and completed his internship, residency and fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the AGA. He has been an active member of the Loveland, Colo., medical community since the early 1990s. Dr. Strong was a founding member of the local physician's health organization and served as its president for four years. He later served as president of the expanded, regional PHO for one year. Dr. Strong has served on numerous committees at McKee Medical Center in Loveland.

Charles Tadlock, MD. Dr. Tadlock is the founder of Surgery Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and practices pain medicine and anesthesiology. He is currently affiliated with the Center for Pain Management in Las Vegas. Dr. Tadlock is also the CEO of Epiphany Surgical Solutions and an avid developer of surgery centers. Dr. Tadlock received his MD from Stanford (Calif.) University School of Medicine, completed an internship at St. Mary's Hospital and served an anesthesiology residency at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Kevin Tadych, MD. Dr. Tadych is medical director Northwoods Surgery Center in Woodruff, Wis., a Pinnacle III facility. His practice is Northern Wisconsin Bone & Joint in Minocqua, Wis. Dr. Tadych is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. His practice consists of general orthopedics with a focus on sports medicine, carpal tunnel syndrome, spine disorders and joint replacements. He serves on the medical staff at Aspirus Wausau Hospital Center in Wausau and Eagle River (Wis.) Memorial Hospital.

Larry Teuber, MD. Dr. Teuber, a neurosurgeon, is the founder and physician executive of Black Hills Surgery Center in Rapid City, S.D., one of the country's most successful small surgical hospitals. He also serves as the president of Toronto, Canada-based Medical Facilities Corp., medical director of Sioux Falls Surgical Hospital, which he founded in 1985, and founder and current managing partner of The Spine Center in Rapid City. Dr. Teuber has almost 20 years of experience in ambulatory surgical environments and has authored numerous medical publications. Dr. Teuber received his medical degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D., and completed his general surgery internship and neurosurgery residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Dr. Teuber served for 17 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve as an aviation and medical officer.

George M. Tinawi, MD. Dr. Tinawi is the president of Surgery Center Partners and its management subsidiary, Endoscopy Management Services Organization, which he founded with Samuel Marcus, MD. He was a practicing physician in Mountain View, Calif., from 1986-2004. As a practicing physician, Dr. Tinawi developed a clear understanding of the business issues faced by physicians in today's challenging environment. A graduate of the Medical School of University of Aleppo in Syria, Dr. Tinawi completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medicine Program in Worcester, Mass., and his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He is board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology.

William Tobler, MD. Dr. Tobler is a neurological surgeon and president and director of neurosurgery at The Christ Hospital Spine Surgery Center in Cincinnati. He earned his medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is a member of numerous professional organizations, including North American Spine Society and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Daniel J. Tomes, MD. Dr. Tomes is a neurological and spine surgeon, and president of Southwest Lincoln (Neb.) Surgery Center, a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility. He serves on the board of directors for Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln and is the medical director for Gogela Neuroscience Institute, BryanLGH Medical Center in Lincoln. Dr. Tomes received his medical degree, with distinction, from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. And completed a general surgery internship and neurosurgery residency at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha. He specializes in surgery of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves.

Vasudevan Tiruchelvam, MD. Dr. Tiruchelvam — Dr. Tiru to his colleagues and patients — has been a leader in the York, Penn., medical community for many years, having served as chief of the division of surgery at the York Hospital. He currently serves as vice-chairman of the York Hospital department of surgery, as well as the president of the York County Medical Foundation, the charitable arm of the York County Medical Society. As president of YCMF, he has led teams of physicians in providing free medical care to underserved patients in his local community and many foreign countries. He helped provide medical attention to survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Sri Lanka and has participated in cancer services at the Olivia's House and Crispus Attucks Community Center locally. Dr. Tiru opened his private practice in 1987 and currently works at Leader Surgical Associates in York, performing hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, colon repair, breast surgery and thyroid surgery as a general surgeon.

George Trajtenberg, MD, FACS. Dr. Trajtenberg is a general surgeon at Turk's Head Surgery Center in West Chester, Pa., a Blue Chip Surgical Partners facility. After completing his general surgical residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1982, Dr. Trajtenberg joined the medical staff of The Chester County Hospital, where he has served as both participant and chairman on numerous committees. He presently holds the post of chief of the department of surgery while serving on the executive committee, new technology committee, infection control committee and many others. He has been very active in several local and national professional organizations, and has served as the President of the Chester County Medical Society.

Arnaldo Valedon, MD. Dr. Valedon is a managing partner of First Colonies Anesthesia Associates in Baltimore and the former chief of its ambulatory division. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and currently serves on the ASC Association's Program Committee for ASCs for 2011. He is also a member of the search committee for the next president of the Ambulatory Surgery Foundation and ASC Association and a member of the Ambulatory Surgery Foundation board. Dr. Valedon earned his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia and completed an internship in internal medicine at Cooper Hospital-University School of Medicine and Dentistry in Camden, N.J.

George A. Violin, MD, FACS. Dr. Violin is the founder of Medical Eye Care Associates in Massachusetts. He devotes most of his practice to cataract surgery, LASIK and related surgeries and was one of the early investigators of epikeratophakia, a precursor of current LASIK technology. Dr. Violin has been the subject of many news articles concerning his expertise in the areas of laser vision correction and cataract surgery and has appeared as a guest speaker on numerous local television and radio broadcasts, where he has discussed state of the art technologies in both areas. Dr. Violin is one of the three founding principals of the Ambulatory Surgery Centers of America and is affiliated with Caritas Norwood Hospital, Faulkner/Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and New England Medical Center in Boston. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, N.Y., and completed his ophthalmic residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.

Alan Villavicencio, MD. Dr. Villavicencio founded The Minimally Invasive Spine Institute in Boulder, Colo., and serves as the director of surgery. He is the director of research and development for Boulder Neurosurgical Associates and the director of neurosurgery at Boulder Community and Longmont United Hospitals. He is also a practicing partner at Boulder Neurosurgical Associates, where he specializes in complex spinal reconstruction surgery. He is the founder and current program chairman for the annual regional neurosurgical symposium “Current Techniques in the Treatment of Cranial and Spinal Disorders,” which is in its sixth year. Dr. Villavicencio is also the founder and chairman of the board for the Justin Parker Neurological Institute, a non-profit organization to conduct and disseminate clinical research for patients and the medical community.

Jeffrey L. Visotsky, MD, FACS. Dr. Visotsky is a member of Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and founder of the Morton Grove (Ill.) Surgery Center. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and specializes in conditions of the hand, elbow and shoulder, arthroscopy shoulder/elbow, shoulder reconstruction and replacement, among other areas. Dr. Visotsky serves as assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago and an instructor in the physician's assistant department of the Finch University of Health Sciences Chicago Medical School. He also holds a position as a special consultant in the division of specialized care for children at the University of Illinois in Chicago, specializing in hand and upper extremity care. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at McGaw Medical Center in Chicago and his fellowship in hand and upper extremity microsurgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Bradley Wargo, DO. Dr. Wargo specializes in pain medicine at the McFarland Clinic PC in Ames, Iowa. He is board-certified in osteopathic anesthesiology, pain management and interventional pain management. He completed a pediatric internship and an anesthesiology residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. He completed a pain management fellowship at the University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He’s a member of many professional societies, including the Iowa Medical Society, American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, Society of Interventional Pain Management Surgery Centers and American Society of Anesthesiology.

Clarence B. Watridge, MD. Dr. Watridge is a neurosurgeon and chairman of Semmes-Murphey Clinic in Memphis, Tenn. He attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis. He performed his neurosurgery residency with the University of Tennessee Department of Neurosurgery in Memphis. Dr. Watridge served as an Air Force neurosurgeon at Keesler Air Force Base from 1981-84, attaining the rank of major. He joined Semmes-Murphey Clinic in 1985. Dr. Watridge serves on the academic faculty of the University of Tennessee Department of Neurosurgery in Knoxville. His academic appointment is associate professor.

Drigan Weider, MD. Dr. Weider is a board member of Boulder (Colo.) Surgery Center, a Pinnacle III facility. His practice is Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics in Boulder. Dr. Wieder has developed a specialty in sports medicine and a strong interest in arthroscopic shoulder and knee reconstructions. He earned his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver and completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

Robert Welti, MD. Dr. Welti is the senior vice president of operations at Regent Surgical Health in Westchester, Ill. He has experience in working with hospital-based surgery centers as well as physician-owned ASCs. He was previously the medical director and administrator of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Surgery Center. He has worked in both hospital-based surgery centers and smaller physician-owned ASCs. A board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Welti earned his medical degree from Stanford (Calif.) University School of Medicine, where he also served his internship and residency and completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesia at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Thomas Wherry, MD. Dr. Wherry is co-founder of Total Anesthesia Solutions, a company dedicated to addressing the emerging anesthesia subsidy crisis and developing innovative anesthesia service solutions for practitioners, hospitals and major health systems. He has worked with Health Inventures since 1996. In addition to his roles as medical director for the Surgery Center of Maryland in Towson and consulting medical director for Health Inventures, he has collaborated with professionals in the United Kingdom, Japan and Kuwait to improve the delivery of ambulatory surgery. He is currently a member of First Colonies Anesthesia Associates, a large anesthesia group that employs over 140 anesthesiologists, and he serves on the board for the group's management arm, Mid-Atlantic Practice Management. Dr. Wherry earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati and completed his residency in anesthesiology at John Hopkins in Baltimore. He is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management.

Thomas F. Winters, M.D. Dr. Winters concentrates on adult orthopedics, specifically sports medicine and reconstructive surgery which includes total joint replacement. He maintains anactive interest in research and has received seven United States patents for the design of rotational components for total knee replacements and for meniscal cartilage repair following knee injuries. Dr. Winters has been an ardent supporter of ASCs for over 20 years and is a partner at the Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery, an affiliate of SCA, where he is active in physician recruitment and operational efficiency initiatives.

Kimberly L. Wood, MD. Dr. Wood is co-chair of the ASC Quality Collaboration and founder of kmdWOOD, which provides consulting services to the ASC industry, including the ASC Association and the ASC QC. She has participated in several collaborative and cooperative initiatives, including the ASC Advocacy Committee and the ASC Coalition, and has served as an advocate for the industry on issues such as Medicare's coverage and payment policies, Conditions for Coverage and ASC quality measure development and reporting.

Richard N.W. Wohns, MD, MBA. Dr. Wohns is a spine surgeon and one of the first physicians involved with the development of ambulatory spine practices. He is the founder of South Sounds Neurosurgery in Puyallup, Wash. He also founded Neospine, a spine ASC development company, which is currently part of Symbion Healthcare. His areas of expertise in the field of neurosurgery include brain tumor and skull base surgery, numerous complex minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques, teleradiology, computer-based neuronavigation and stereotaxis. He was one of the first neurosurgeons in the United States qualified to perform XLIF for lateral minimally invasive lumbar fusions. Dr. Wohns attended medical school at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. He also holds an executive MBA from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing a law degree from Seattle University School of Law.

Anthony T. Yeung, MD. Dr. Anthony Yeung is an orthopedic spine surgeon who specializes in diagnosing the causes of back pain and sciatica from degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. He founded Desert Institute for Spine Care in Phoenix and developed the FDA-approved Yeung Endoscopic Spine System. He was one of the first spine surgeons to utilize endoscopically guided laser for degenerative conditions of the lumbar spine. Dr. Yeung has authored more than 70 scientific publications on his technique and has been president of the World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons. Dr. Yeung received his medical degree from University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, completed his residency at Maricopa County General Hospital in Phoenix and served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp., in Subic Bay, Philippines.

David Zarin, MD. Dr. Zarin is senior vice president, medical affairs, for United Surgical Partners International and one of the founding partners of Texas ENT Specialists in Houston. He has been practicing medicine for more than 30 years and has a special interest in the treatment of sinus disease, utilizing the most advanced surgical techniques including image guidance and balloon sinuplasty. Dr. Zarin is currently the chairman of the board and chief of staff at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital and serves in the Expert Group of the ASC Quality Collaboration.