Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Dr. Ramis Gheith, Chief Medical Officer, DxTx Pain and Spine

Episode Date: December 14, 2025

Main Theme

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.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dr. Gheith’s Role and Perspective on ASCs

[00:52–01:41]

• Dr. Gheith oversees the optimization of complex interventional pain and spine procedures in ambulatory surgery centers.
• He brings a dual perspective as both a practicing physician and a system-level leader.
• Emphasizes the need for ASCs to balance clinical quality, operational efficiency, and patient alignment.
• His experience involves:
  • Designing and expanding specialized, cost-effective, patient-centered ASCs
  • Mentoring medical directors and provider teams across their 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.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [01:32]

2. Key Market Forces Driving ASC Growth

[01:41–02:42]

• The ASC market is projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030.
• Three main factors fueling growth:
  • Shift of Higher Acuity Cases: Driven by payers and policymakers recognizing safety, lower costs, and patient preference for outpatient settings.
  • Patient Expectations: More informed patients demand convenience, accessibility, and value.
  • Physician Opportunities: Doctors increasingly seek autonomy, ownership, and leadership opportunities not found within hospital systems.

“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]

3. Role of Technology in ASC Operations

[02:42–03:49]

• Technology is now a core differentiator for ASCs, no longer just a “nice to have.”
• Three Impact Areas:
  1. Clinical Precision: Use of robotics and navigation tools is becoming essential.
  2. Operational Optimization: Advanced EHRs and AI-powered analytics streamline scheduling, staffing, and inventory management.
  3. Patient Engagement: Digital tools (e.g., informed consent, remote monitoring) extend engagement beyond ASC walls and boost patient satisfaction and outcomes.

“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]

4. Most Transformative Innovation: AI & Data Analytics

[03:49–04:23]

• Dr. Gheith highlights the AI/data analytics revolution:
  • Integrating clinical, financial, and operational metrics enables:
    • Predicting case profitability
    • Optimizing scheduling at a granular level
    • Benchmarking outcomes across networks
• AI will be a “game changer” for both quality and long-term sustainability in the ASC sector.

“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]

5. Collaboration Opportunities in the ASC Landscape

[04:23–05:08]

• Collaborative ventures between ASCs and health systems are essential, not optional.
• Joint ventures offer:
  • Scale
  • Patient pipelines
  • Payer leverage
• Independent ASCs contribute innovation, speed, and physician alignment.
• Partnerships with vendors and technology firms can help standardize supply chains, integrate data, and introduce new clinical capabilities.

“Collaboration is really no longer an option. It’s essential.”
– Dr. Ramis Gheith [04:42]

6. Future Outlook & Final Thoughts

[05:14–05:55]

• ASCs are not simply about shifting where care happens; they represent a paradigm shift toward value in healthcare.
• Successful leaders will balance:
  • Clinical excellence
  • Operational discipline
  • Innovation and compliance
  • Inclusive cultures involving all clinical and support staff
• At DxTx Pain and Spine, the organizational belief is that ASCs are the future of specialty care, with a mission focused on delivering quality, access, and patient trust.

“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]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Technology is no longer a nice to have in ASCs...but it’s really a core differentiator.” [03:02]
• “Collaboration is really no longer an option. It’s essential.” [04:42]
• “ASCs are not just about shifting the site of service...They really represent a paradigm shift in how we think about value in healthcare.” [05:17]

Chronological Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:52–01:41] – Dr. Gheith’s background and approach to ASC leadership
• [01:41–02:42] – Market growth drivers for ASC expansion
• [02:42–03:49] – Deep dive on technology’s role and three impact areas
• [03:49–04:23] – Key innovation: AI/data analytics
• [04:23–05:08] – Collaboration and partnership strategies in ASC growth
• [05:14–05:55] – Forward-looking perspective and leadership advice

Tone and Language

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.