Podcast Summary
Episode Overview
Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Host: Grace Lynn Culler, Becker's Healthcare
Guest: Andrew Lovewell, CEO, Columbia Orthopaedic Group
Date: December 7, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode features a conversation with Andrew Lovewell, CEO of Columbia Orthopaedic Group, focused on emerging trends, technology integration, and best practices in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market. The discussion spans market growth, operational strategies, partnership opportunities, and the transformative impact of technology on surgery centers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Guest Introduction & Background
- Andrew Lovewell’s Profile (00:53)
- CEO of Columbia Orthopaedic Group, Missouri
- Leads a multispecialty MSK Ortho group
- Oversees a large ASC, imaging center, pharmacy, DME, PBM, telehealth, and healthcare real estate
- 16 years in healthcare (academics, ASC management, private practice)
“Kind of everything we have that can touch the patient and increase our value that we deliver to our patients.” – Andrew Lovewell (00:59)
2. ASC Market Growth & Drivers
- Market Size & Expansion (01:29)
- ASC market projected at $60.8B by 2030
- Significant year-over-year growth
- Key Drivers (01:47–03:32)
- Case migration from hospitals to ASCs, especially in orthopedics, spine, total joints, and cardiology
- Surge in employer-sponsored, self-funded plans pushing cost savings
- Employers steering employees toward ASCs through plan incentives
- Need for ASCs to have foundational systems in place (technology, staff, block scheduling) to absorb growth
“It’s really a perfect storm for ASCs to expand.” – Andrew Lovewell (03:05) “Just getting all your ducks in a row, making sure you got the basics in place... even before we start exploring the AI side of things.” (03:17)
3. Technology Adoption & Strategy in ASCs
- Importance of Tech in ASC Operations (03:32–07:21)
- Essential to have EHR and inventory management systems
- Data-driven decision making enables surgeon recruitment and operational optimization
- Automation (pre-op reminders, digital health histories) reduces staff workload; allows focus on higher-value tasks
- Examples of useful tech solutions: HST, SIS (EHR and practice management); One Medical Passport; Ospitek (patient tracking)
- AI & Robotics: Proceed with Caution
- Explore AI solutions incrementally, ensuring they add real value
- Be wary of "point solution fatigue"—too many disjointed tools can fragment operations
- Advocate for partnering with true collaborators, not just vendors
“Leverage the simple stuff out there... Just using the tech to take away some of the busy work that your staff have to do today is going to be huge.” (04:33) “Let’s tiptoe into [AI and robotics] cautiously and make sure that it’s going to actually produce value before we explore purchase...” (05:30) “Establishing what it is we’re trying to solve for and who can solve for the most problems at one time is going to be really the key to success.” (07:15)
4. Technology Prioritization
- Transformative Innovations Depend on Current Maturity (05:46–07:21)
- Start with foundational systems if not yet in place (EHR, PMIS, inventory)
- Once basics are established, look for digital arrival/tracking or patient engagement solutions
- Only then evaluate AI-driven tools (coding, pre-auth, analytics)
- Strategic Partnership Over Vendor Churn
- Avoid excessive single-use solutions; look for partners who address multiple problems
5. Partnerships & Collaboration
- Types of Collaboration (07:21–08:59)
- Internal: Deepen integration with physician groups (joint accounting, purchasing)
- With management companies: Talent recruitment & financial growth support
- Hospital partnerships: Set firm ground rules to avoid case competition; manage “coopetition”
- With vendors: Be selective, investigating right partners at the right time to avoid contract complexity
“Partnering with vendors [and] partners is really important because there’s a lot of cool, new, innovative technology... But you don’t want to over partner...” (08:30)
6. Final Thoughts & Advice to ASC Leaders
- The Unique Value of ASCs (09:06–10:41)
- ASCs have unique, hard-to-match value compared to hospitals; essential in lowering healthcare costs
- Need to proactively educate employers on ASC capabilities and value
- Vigilance against payers diminishing ASC’s role or reimbursement
- Importance of continued education and engagement with industry developments
“You have power and you have value. That’s very hard to match because what we can do in an ASC versus a hospital ... is so valuable. Employers want it...” (09:08) “Making sure you don’t give that up to the payers, that power and that value you have...” (09:24) “It’s a huge part of our opportunity to bend the cost curve of healthcare just in general.” (09:46)
Notable Quotes
- “It’s really a perfect storm for ASCs to expand.” — Andrew Lovewell (03:05)
- “Let’s tiptoe into [AI and robotics] cautiously and make sure that it’s going to actually produce value before we explore purchase...” — Andrew Lovewell (05:30)
- “Establishing what it is we’re trying to solve for and who can solve for the most problems at one time is going to be really the key to success.” — Andrew Lovewell (07:15)
- “You have power and you have value. That’s very hard to match because what we can do in an ASC versus a hospital ... is so valuable. Employers want it...” — Andrew Lovewell (09:08)
- “Making sure you don’t give that up to the payers, that power and that value you have...” — Andrew Lovewell (09:24)
Important Timestamps
- 00:53–01:29: Andrew Lovewell’s background and approach at Columbia Orthopaedic Group
- 01:29–03:32: Trends and forces fueling ASC market expansion
- 03:32–07:21: Role of technology and strategic tech adoption
- 07:21–08:59: Effective partnerships for growth and efficiency
- 09:06–10:41: Final thoughts — unique ASC value, relationships with employers and payers, advice to leaders
Tone & Style Notes
Andrew Lovewell's approach is both pragmatic and optimistic, emphasizing the need for solid fundamentals before pursuing “flashy” technologies. He encourages measured adoption of innovation, genuine partnership, and advocates for ASCs to actively assert their unique value in the larger healthcare ecosystem. The conversation maintains an accessible, conversational tone with practical, actionable suggestions throughout.