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And welcome to the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, recorded live at the 31st Annual Business and Operations of ASCS. I'm joined today by Dr. Ramese Gheiss, Chief Medical Officer at DX TX pain and spine. Dr. Geist, to kick us off, can you please share a little bit about yourself and your work in the ASC space?
C
Hi, thank you for having me. Well, as Chief Medical Officer of DX tx, my role centers on optimizing how physicians and advanced practice providers deliver complex interventional procedures in the ambulatory surgery center environment. My clinical background is in interventional pain and spine and I spent much of my career helping to design and expand ASCs that could provide highly specialized, cost effective and patient centered care outside of the hospital setting. At DxDX, I focus on ensuring that clinical quality and operational efficiency and patient alignment move in lockstep while also mentoring medical directors and provider teams across the network. This dual perspective, both as a practicing physician and a system level leader, gives me a clear view into what drives ASC success today and what will define it in the future.
B
So the ASC market in the US is projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030 and continues to experience strong year over year growth. From perspective, what are the most significant trends in market forces driving this expansion and how should ASC leaders be preparing today?
C
That's a great question. You know, there are several factors that are converging to drive ASC growth. First and foremost, payers and policymakers continue to migrate higher acuity cases to the outpatient settings due to safety data, the lower cost that we experience in the ASC setting and the patient preferences. Secondly, the patients themselves are more informed consumers. They want the convenience, they want the accessibility and they want the value which the ASCs can provide. And thirdly, the physicians are increasingly seeking ownership and leadership opportunities outside of the hospital systems and ASCs give them both that clinical autonomy but also the financial alignment.
B
So from AI and robotic surgeries to advanced EHR systems technology remains both a make or break factor and a critical driver of ASC operations at scale. How do you see deeper tech integration shaping the way ASCs deliver care and manage their business over the next few years?
C
Well, that's a very interesting question because technology is no longer a nice to have in ASCs, quote unquote, but it's really a core differentiator. I see three main areas where technology integration will reshape our field. Clinical precision being robotics and navigation tools being absolutely essential in a or operational optimization utilizing advanced EHRs and AI powered analytics to streamline your scheduling to staffing the inventory, et cetera that we all rely on in asc and also and most importantly, patient engagement, digital informed consent. Digitizing the informed consent process like we did over a year ago with mobile follow up and remote monitoring with will extend the asc experience beyond four walls, improving outcomes but also patient satisfaction so.
B
Dr. Gith, I'm very curious. Is there one particular technology or innovation that stands out to you as especially transformative?
C
Yes, I do see this AI data analytic world coming upon us here and by combining the clinical outcomes, the data with financial and operational metrics, the ASCs can predict case profitability, optimize scheduling down to the block level and benchmark outcomes across networks. That's going to be a game changer for both quality and for sustainability in the future.
B
With 60% of health systems considering ASC joint ventures and many ASCs already partnering with systems in their communities, what opportunities do you see for collaboration, whether with other providers or vendors, to strengthen patient care and operational efficiency?
C
Well, I tell you, you're full of really great questions today because collaboration is really no longer an option. It's essential. The joint ventures with health systems can bring scale, patient pipelines and payer leverage, while independent ASC operators can contribute to the speed, the innovation and the patient alignment, or rather the physician alignment. Beyond health system partnerships, I see tremendous opportunities with vendors and technology partners who can help standardize supply chains, integrate data systems and bring new clinical capabilities to the outpatient settings.
B
Well, Dr. Gith, before I let you go, is there anything else we didn't touch on or any final thoughts you'd like to share?
C
Yeah, you know, I think that going forward in the future, AECs are not just about shifting the site of service, as a lot of folks like to look at it. They really represent a paradigm shift in how we think about value in healthcare. The leaders who thrive will be those who balance clinical excellence with operational discipline, embrace innovation without losing sight of compliance, and foster cultures where physicians, apps, nurses and staff all feel invested in the mission. At DX TX, pain is buying. We believe ASCs are the future of specialty care and our job as leaders is to ensure that that future is defined by quality access and patient trust.
B
Well, Dr. Guy, thank you again for joining us today on the Beckers Healthcare podcast and have a great rest of your day.
C
Thank you.
Episode Date: December 14, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Ramis Gheith, Chief Medical Officer at DxTx Pain and Spine, shares expert insights on the growth and transformation of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in the U.S. healthcare landscape. The conversation focuses on emerging trends, the integration of technology, and the evolving nature of partnerships and operational models that shape the future of ASCs.
[00:52–01:41]
“This dual perspective, both as a practicing physician and a system level leader, gives me a clear view into what drives ASC success today and what will define it in the future.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [01:32]
[01:41–02:42]
“Payers and policymakers continue to migrate higher acuity cases to the outpatient settings due to safety data, the lower cost that we experience in the ASC setting and the patient preferences.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [02:01]
“Physicians are increasingly seeking ownership and leadership opportunities outside of the hospital systems and ASCs give them both that clinical autonomy but also the financial alignment.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [02:33]
[02:42–03:49]
“Technology is no longer a nice to have in ASCs, quote unquote, but it’s really a core differentiator.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [03:02]
“Digitizing the informed consent process...with mobile follow up and remote monitoring will extend the ASC experience beyond four walls, improving outcomes but also patient satisfaction.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [03:40]
[03:49–04:23]
“By combining the clinical outcomes, the data with financial and operational metrics, the ASCs can predict case profitability, optimize scheduling down to the block level and benchmark outcomes across networks. That’s going to be a game changer for both quality and for sustainability in the future.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [04:03]
[04:23–05:08]
“Collaboration is really no longer an option. It’s essential.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [04:42]
[05:14–05:55]
“AECs are not just about shifting the site of service. They really represent a paradigm shift in how we think about value in healthcare. The leaders who thrive will be those who balance clinical excellence with operational discipline, embrace innovation without losing sight of compliance, and foster cultures where physicians, apps, nurses and staff all feel invested in the mission.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [05:17]
Dr. Gheith’s language is insightful and forward-thinking, often highlighting change and innovation with optimism while stressing the importance of operational discipline and collaboration.
This summary captures the core themes, advice, and memorable insights from Dr. Ramis Gheith’s appearance on the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, providing a valuable overview for listeners and healthcare industry stakeholders.