Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Dr. George Cybulski, AI Clinical Leader & Chief of Neurosurgery, Humboldt Park Health
Host: Grace Lynn Keller
Date: November 8, 2025
Event: 31st Annual Business and Operations of ASCs (recorded live)

Episode Overview

This episode features a dynamic discussion with Dr. George Cybulski, a neurosurgeon and clinical leader in artificial intelligence at Humboldt Park Health. The conversation zeroes in on the evolving role of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) within the U.S. healthcare landscape, the impact of technology and AI on the sector, and the crucial need for enhanced collaboration and integration. Dr. Cybulski also shares perspectives from his bestselling book and reflects on current challenges and innovations shaping the ASC space.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Cybulski’s Background and ASC Involvement

[01:00]

• Still an active neurosurgeon, focusing mainly on spine procedures.
• Over the past decade, developed a keen interest in supporting outpatient spine operations, particularly with advancements in specialized instrumentation.
• Previously involved in a business developing outpatient spine instrumentation for ASCs, though no longer affiliated ("no conflict of interest").
• Sees significant growth opportunity in outpatient spine surgery, noting that it was rare in ASCs ten years ago but is now expanding rapidly.

Quote:
"There’s an opportunity to do [spine surgery in ASCs], and I think it’s a great opportunity." – Dr. Cybulski [01:58]

2. Trends & Market Forces Driving ASC Growth

[02:43]

• The ASC market is projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030, experiencing strong year-over-year growth.
• Medicare policies encouraging outpatient total joint procedures (hips, knees) have spurred expansion.
• Demographic shifts, especially an aging population, are driving demand for outpatient procedures.
• Outpatient opportunities extend beyond orthopedics to include various spine surgeries (e.g., microdiscectomies, laminectomies, spine fusions, anterior cervical discectomies).

Quote:
"ASCs will be able to step up and include those [spine procedures] in their list of procedures that they can do." – Dr. Cybulski [03:50]

3. The Role of Technology: AI & Integration

[04:07]

• Technology is now a pivotal element in ASC performance, determining care delivery and operational efficiency.
• Dr. Cybulski stresses AI’s potential to break down silos in healthcare by connecting disparate processes and stakeholders (e.g., patient evaluation, testing, clearance).
• AI could streamline pre-surgical workflows—getting approvals, lab work, and primary care input more efficiently.

Quote:
"Artificial intelligence… will be very beneficial in connecting the silos. That is the checklist, if you will, that we need to satisfy in order to get patients approved." – Dr. Cybulski [04:34]

4. Transformative Technologies on the Horizon

[05:30]

• Rapid proliferation of companies entering healthcare AI, many present at industry conferences.
• The key to transformative impact lies in meaningful alignment with providers' real needs, rather than just technological advancement.
• Dr. Cybulski refrains from naming a specific standout company, citing the pace of innovation and the importance of ongoing provider-tech collaboration.

Quote:
"Really coordinating [AI platforms] with providers, with surgeons and specialists, is really going to be the key." – Dr. Cybulski [06:13]

5. Collaboration & Joint Ventures in the ASC Space

[07:04]

• Approximately 60% of health systems are exploring ASC joint ventures.
• Healthcare remains highly fragmented—fragmentation across payers, government agencies, and providers.
• Emphasizes that increased collaboration across entities is essential for future success, especially through platforms that foster integration.

Quote:
"There’s a tremendous opportunity that must be seized in order to get this collaboration to occur. And the people who are able to create platforms to do that will contribute the most value." – Dr. Cybulski [07:51]

6. Final Reflections & Book Recommendation

[08:16]

• Dr. Cybulski highlights his book, Can We Manage to Save Healthcare?, which became an Amazon #1 bestseller.
• The book aims to pinpoint healthcare pain points and propose ways to improve patient care flow.
• Invites listeners to read and share the book for further insights into healthcare transformation.

Quote:
"My idea with that book is to identify the pain points that we need to address in order to make the flow of patient care better." – Dr. Cybulski [08:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the momentum of outpatient spine surgery:
  "Most ASCs...weren’t doing spine procedures 10 years ago. And now there’s an opportunity to do that." [01:40]
• On the challenge of meaningful tech integration:
  "The key will be how valuable they are to a provider." [06:00]
• On the importance of cross-industry collaboration:
  "Healthcare is tremendously fragmented. There are just different types of entities that are involved with it." [07:29]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00] – Dr. Cybulski’s background and ASC involvement
• [02:43] – Major trends and drivers in the ASC market
• [04:07] – Role of technology and AI in ASC operations
• [05:30] – Most promising AI innovations and provider alignment
• [07:04] – Opportunities and necessity for ASC collaboration
• [08:16] – Final thoughts and book recommendation

Overall Tone

Insightful and forward-thinking, with a clinical and systems-level perspective. Dr. Cybulski remains pragmatic about technology’s promise, emphasizing integration, collaboration, and the real workflow challenges facing healthcare providers and organizations.

This episode provides a concise yet deep dive into the evolving ASC market, the impact of technology, and the need for greater integration in U.S. healthcare, all filtered through Dr. Cybulski’s experience as a practicing neurosurgeon and AI thought leader.