Podcast Summary: Building Orthopedic Excellence at Steindler Orthopedics with Patrick Magallenes

Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Host: Erica Spicer Mason (A), Becker's Healthcare
Guest: Patrick Magallenes (B), President and CEO, Steindler Orthopedics
Episode Date: October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Erica Spicer Mason in conversation with Patrick Magallenes, President and CEO of Steindler Orthopedics. The discussion centers on building clinical excellence, delivering economic value, and fostering operational support within their newly established ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Patrick provides insights into Steindler’s rich history, its expansion into ASC operations, planning for future growth, and the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly with J&J MedTech.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Patrick Magallenes’ Background and Steindler’s Origins

[00:28 – 01:24]

• Patrick has seven years with Steindler Orthopedics, following five years in community oncology.
• Steindler, founded in 1950, was a traditional group orthopedic practice until recently, when they moved toward "orthopedic self-determination" by opening their first ASC in March 2025.
• The move into the ASC environment was a strategic step toward organizational independence and improved patient care.

Key quote:

"What's really changed for us is trying to get on the path of orthopedic self-determination. And for us that meant moving into an ASC environment."
— Patrick Magallenes [00:51]

2. Steindler’s History and Commitment to Excellence

[01:24 – 03:02]

• Founded by Dr. Arthur Steindler, a pioneering figure in U.S. orthopedics.
• Legacy includes training the country’s first female orthopedic surgeon and authoring foundational textbooks.
• Today: 18 physicians, numerous mid-level providers, renowned regional reputation.
• Expansion includes the ASC and plans for a community hospital next door.

Key quote:

"The first orthopedic female surgeon in the United States trained under Dr. Steindler... We have this rich tradition."
— Patrick Magallenes [01:56]

3. ASC Specialization and Community Impact

[03:02 – 04:04]

• The ASC is strictly orthopedic, offering subspecialties such as pain management, hand/upper extremity, foot/ankle, and total joints.
• Noted a seasonal uptick in procedures tied to the community’s agricultural calendar.

Key quote:

"Our ASC is orthopedic only. I don't foresee in the near future that our facility will do anything other than orthopedic."
— Patrick Magallenes [03:26]

4. Planning, RFP, and Facility Design

[04:04 – 09:39]

• The ASC project was motivated by the need for organizational control and the shift toward lower-cost outpatient care, accelerated by the pandemic.
• Gained unanimous CON approval from Iowa’s Health Facilities Council—a rare feat without a hospital partner.
• Facility designed for future adaptability: built for multi-specialty but currently focused on orthopedic care, scalable from six to eight ORs.
• Lessons learned from site tours: prioritized consistent, well-lit operating rooms and robust central sterilization to support both current and prospective neighboring hospital needs.
• Intentional design over-built supply and storage areas for cleanliness and growth.

Key quote:

"For us, the best course of action was to just make sure that we built a facility that could handle all of our needs and potential growth."
— Patrick Magallenes [08:22]

• On patient experience:

  "The patient experience around ASC is exceptional... I would invite anyone who wanted to come take a tour... We're proud of it, but it really works well."
  — Patrick Magallenes [09:18]

5. Strategic Partnership with J&J MedTech

[09:39 – 12:04]

• J&J MedTech selected after a comprehensive RFP process for their quality, commitment, and ability to deliver value by consolidating spend.
• The partnership is characterized by mutual investment and active support, not just in the initial setup but ongoing operations.

Key quote:

"Partnership is often thrown around as just a term... With J&J, we just felt like we were going to have that commitment from them."
— Patrick Magallenes [11:21]

6. Closing Reflections: Collaboration in Orthopedics

[12:04 – 13:17]

• Patrick emphasizes the increasing challenges facing orthopedic practices and the value of industry collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• He credits much of Steindler’s success to lessons learned from industry peers and extends an open invitation to share their experiences with others.

Key quote:

"So much of what makes us run well has come through others who have helped us along the way. That's one of the things I really respect about the orthopedic community."
— Patrick Magallenes [13:06]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "Steindler started in 1950 and really was a group practice through all those years with never owning an ASC or a percentage owner in an asc."
  — Patrick Magallenes [00:49]

• "We've been in Iowa City and serving eastern Iowa since 1950."
  — Patrick Magallenes [02:22]

• "Our fourth quarter tends to be super busy doing all the orthopedic practices that a farming type community needs for the upcoming year."
  — Patrick Magallenes [03:48]

• "Covid accelerated that many patients. We started doing some procedures that were historically inpatient procedures or hospital procedures..."
  — Patrick Magallenes [04:54]

• "We wanted that type of consistency... in our operating rooms."
  — Patrick Magallenes [07:38]

• "Being very thoughtful about efficiency and spend was something that we honed in on."
  — Patrick Magallenes [10:44]

• "If there's anything that we've done and can share with anyone, we welcome the opportunity to do so."
  — Patrick Magallenes [13:04]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Patrick’s Introduction and Steindler’s Background: [00:28 – 01:24]
• Heritage and Mission of Steindler Orthopedics: [01:24 – 03:02]
• ASC Services and Community Needs: [03:02 – 04:04]
• Planning, Design, and RFP Journey: [04:04 – 09:39]
• Patient Experience Focus: [09:18 – 09:39]
• J&J MedTech Partnership Details: [09:39 – 12:04]
• Reflections on Orthopedic Community and Collaboration: [12:30 – 13:17]

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, Patrick’s tone is collegial, candid, and optimistic—underscoring the organization’s commitment to heritage, growth, and collaboration. He emphasizes transparency, lessons learned, and a genuine commitment to both patients and peers in orthopedics.

Summary Takeaway

Steindler Orthopedics, under Patrick Magallenes’ leadership, is embracing a future defined by clinical and operational excellence, strong community ties, and forward-looking collaborations, exemplified by their state-of-the-art ASC and partnership with J&J MedTech. The organization’s journey, rooted in a distinguished past and propelled by bold innovations, serves as a model for orthopedic practices navigating modern healthcare challenges.