Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Jerry Eaves, BSN, RN, CASC, CNOR – CEO/Administrator, Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee Surgery Center

Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Gracelyn Keller
Live from: 31st Annual Business and Operations of ASCS

Episode Overview

In this concise, insight-rich episode, Gracelyn Keller interviews Jerry Eaves, CEO/Administrator of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee Surgery Center, to explore the fast-evolving ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market. They cover the major forces behind ASC growth, technology’s profound impact—especially robotics and data integration—the strategic importance of partnerships, and the mindset ASC leaders will need to thrive in the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Jerry Eaves and Center Background

• Jerry Eaves introduces herself as administrator and CEO, highlighting her 20+ years in ambulatory care, roots as a nurse, and her center’s March 2020 launch “right in the middle of COVID.”

  “We are a 6 OR surgery center. We do orthopedics and spine. We opened right in the middle of COVID. So the facility opened five years ago in March of 2020.”
  [01:00] Jerry Eaves

2. ASC Market Trends and Growth Drivers

• Projected Market Size: US ASC market forecasted to hit $60.8B by 2030.
• Main Growth Drivers:
  • Increased case volume shifting to outpatient/ASC settings
  • Rapid adoption of minimally invasive techniques (including robotics & AI)
  • Influences from cost control and managed care contracts
  • Rising emphasis on quality metrics
• Advice for ASC Leaders:
  • Thoroughly analyze case mix and margin data to prepare for evolving market pressures

  “You're going to see minimally invasive techniques that include robotics and AI... Cost and managed care contracts are, you know, going to push more cases to the ASCs, along with patient performance. Quality metrics are going to be a huge thing that we're going to focus on.”
  [01:56] Jerry Eaves

3. Deep Tech Integration and Future Operations

• Technology Impact:
  • Tech is redefining scalability and operational models for ASCs
  • Need for next-level data integration, automation, real-time decision-making
  • Linking clinical, financial, and operational data for real-time insights into case cost, surgeon utilization, and quality metrics
  • Enables better block scheduling, cancels forecasting, high-risk patient flagging

  "Technology is going to redefine what scalable means... We're connecting clinical, financial and operational data which allows us to have real time visibility into case cost, surgeon utilization and quality metrics."
  [03:02] Jerry Eaves

4. Standout Technology: Robotics

• Robotics as Game-Changer:
  • Eaves emphasizes robotics as the most transformative tool
  • Benefits: better recovery, improved postop pain control, greater procedural efficiency

  "I'd say robotics 100%."
  [03:53] Jerry Eaves

  • Noted that personal experience adds conviction to this position

5. Value of Collaboration & Partnerships

• Shift in Joint Ventures:
  • Genuine “alignment” with health systems replacing passive ownership models
  • Partnerships now focus on elevating standard of care and driving joint efficiency
• Collaboration Scope:
  • Teamwork encompasses hospitals, vendors, anesthesia groups, management companies, contracted services
  • Outcomes depend on this comprehensive collaboration

  "Joint ventures with health systems are shifting from ownership to true alignment... The team is not just your immediate team... it's actually the whole system."
  [04:28] Jerry Eaves

6. Final Thoughts on ASC Strategy

• Integration is the New Growth Strategy:
  • Blending technology, data, and partnerships is essential
  • Efficiency is the new competitive advantage
  • Leaders must invest intentionally, stay agile, and maintain a collaborative mindset

  "Integration is the new growth strategy. Technology, data and partnerships. Efficiency is going to define our success."
  [05:35] Jerry Eaves

• Leadership Voice:
  • Strategic thinking, intentional investment, and agility are non-negotiable

  “Leadership. Mindset matters. Leaders have to think strategically and invest intentionally and stay agile as payer models, technology and work realities evolve.”
  [05:55] Jerry Eaves

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Technology’s Role:

  “Now we need data integration, automation and precision... Data driven decision making is going to also be one of those things that we're looking at.”
  [03:02] Jerry Eaves

• On Collaboration:

  “The team is not just your immediate team… It's actually the whole, it's the whole system.”
  [04:52] Jerry Eaves

• On ASC Leadership:

  “We have to be in all this together. So doing it all together is going to be key.”
  [06:05] Jerry Eaves

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:00 - Jerry Eaves’ background & center overview
• 01:38 - Market trends and what’s driving ASC growth
• 03:02 - Impact and future of technology in ASCs
• 03:53 - Robotics as a standout innovation
• 04:28 - Collaboration, partnerships, and joint ventures
• 05:35 - Closing thoughts: Integration, strategy, leadership

This episode provides actionable insights for ASC leaders and underscores the central role of technology, data, and authentic partnership in shaping ambulatory surgical care in the years ahead—directly from a seasoned ASC administrator’s perspective.