Helen M Lowenwirth, MBA, CASC, Administrator, East Side Endoscopy, LLC

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Guest: Helen M Lowenwirth, MBA, CASC, Administrator, East Side Endoscopy, LLC
Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Gracelyn Keller

This episode features an insightful conversation with Helen Lowenwirth, Administrator at East Side Endoscopy in New York City. The discussion centers on the dynamic growth of the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) market, the transformative effect of technological advances, evolving collaboration models, and the increasing recognition of ASCs by payers and policymakers.

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Guest Introduction & ASC Background

[00:54-01:30]

• Helen Lowenwirth shares her extensive healthcare management experience, including 14 years at East Side Endoscopy.
• East Side Endoscopy handles about 12,000 procedures annually in a five-room, joint-venture ASC located in Gramercy Park, NYC.
• Structure: Ownership shared between physicians, a hospital partner, and a management company. Staff of about 40 employees.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ASC Market Growth & Key Drivers

[01:30-03:04]

• The ASC market is projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030, demonstrating robust growth.
• The most significant trend is the migration of procedures from hospitals to ASCs, particularly in states with restrictive Certificate of Need (CON) laws like New York.
• Quote:

  “The most important thing we’re going to see over the next few years is the transgression of procedures out of the hospital into the ASC markets... The access to care is the real problem, and the ASCs are a big, big part of that future.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [02:00]

• New York has only about 140 ASCs for 18 million people, indicating strong unmet demand.
• Ongoing efforts to gain regulatory approval for cardiac procedures in ASCs to increase patient access.

2. Technology’s Role in Shaping ASC Operations

[03:04-04:59]

• AI and advanced technologies are becoming integral to ASC operations beyond being “just a buzzword.”
• Specific uses in GI: AI-enabled models boost adenoma detection rates during procedures.
• Enhanced documentation: AI improves consistency in procedural reporting and coding, making processes more efficient.
• Operations: AI assists in areas like scheduling and patient communications, boosting efficiency.
• Quote:

  “The big secret is what is really AI and how can we apply it in our business… We’re seeing a lot in terms of operations. Some of our scheduling modules, how to apply artificial intelligence to improve efficiency—scheduling procedures in the right order, reaching out to patients in advance…”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [03:40]

3. Collaboration Across the Industry

[04:59-05:51]

• 60% of health systems are considering ASC joint ventures; existing partnerships are diversifying.
• Vendors—notably Stryker—are playing increasingly vital roles, often investing in centers and managing complex supply chains.
• Quote:

  “Over the next couple of years, the vendor involvement is going to be key.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [05:35]

4. Payer Relations & Policy Recognition

[05:57-06:44]

• Helen highlights her work with the New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers driving engagement with payers and Medicaid programs.
• Growing realization among legislators and payers of the value ASCs provide—lower costs, higher patient satisfaction compared to hospital settings.
• Quote:

  “I think the Medicaid programs and the legislators are beginning to realize the value of ASCs, the benefits of moving the cases from the higher cost hospital settings into ambulatory care, and the patient satisfaction levels.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [06:12]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The access to care is the real problem, and the ASCs are a big, big part of that future.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [02:00]

• “The big secret is what is really AI and how can we apply it in our business… We’re seeing a lot in terms of operations.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [03:40]

• “Over the next couple of years, the vendor involvement is going to be key.”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [05:35]

• “I think the Medicaid programs and the legislators are beginning to realize the value of ASCs...”
  — Helen Lowenwirth [06:12]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:54 – Helen Lowenwirth introduces herself and East Side Endoscopy.
• 01:30 – Trends driving ASC market growth & regulatory challenges.
• 03:22 – AI and technology: Real-world applications and operational impacts.
• 04:59 – Growing importance of vendor partnerships.
• 05:57 – State-level advocacy and payer engagement for ASC value recognition.

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Conclusion

This episode provides a concise yet comprehensive look at the evolving ASC landscape through Helen Lowenwirth’s expert lens. It covers critical industry trends, the strategic adoption of technology, innovative collaborations, and the shifting attitudes of payers and policymakers—all reflecting the expanding role and value of ASCs in healthcare delivery.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Is Gracelyn Keller with the Beckers Healthcare Podcast and we are recording live at the 31st annual Business and Operations of ASCS. I'm currently joined by Helen Lowenworth who is the administrator of Eastside Endoscopy. So Helen, thanks for being here. Let's kick us off by having you share a little bit more about yourself and your work in healthcare.

[C]

Okay. Well, I've been in healthcare for a very long time, private practice and most recently in an ASE. For the past almost 14 years I've been the administrator in Eastside Endoscopy. We are a currently five room. We started as four room single specialty ASE. We do about 12,000 procedures a year. We call ourselves joint venture. We have ownership from Physicians Hospital partner and management company have about 40 employees and we're in the Gramercy park section of New York.

[B]

Awesome. Well, thanks for being here and let's start our conversation talking about the ASC market in the US this is projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030 and it continues to experience strong year over year growth. So from your perspective, what are the most significant trends in market forces driving this expansion and how should ASC leaders be preparing today?

[C]

Well, I think the most important thing we're going to see over the next few years is the transgression of procedures out of the hospital into the ASC markets. Depending on where you are in the country, it's very different. In New York we are famously a certificate of need states. So we don't have that many. Well, you know, relative to other states, we have about 140 ASCs for 18 million people. Not, not nearly enough. And so we're, we're seeing hospital more joint ventures to, to move things out of the hospitals. They're big, they get it. They're beginning to get what we do well, why it's beneficial. The patients love it. We're also working to get cardiac procedures approved in New York. Some states already have it. I think there's 23 states in the country that have cardiac procedures in ASCs. New York, it's. It needs to go through a regul. We're currently working very hard to get that done. The whole point is to increase access to patients. The access to care is the real problem. And the ASCs are a big, big part of that future.

[B]

Absolutely. And 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. So how do you see deeper tech integration shaping the way ASCs deliver care and manage their business over the next few years?

[C]

Yeah, it's more than a buzzword these days. AI, I think every. Every center, almost every business, is being inundated with new programs. The big secret is what is really AI and how can we apply it in our business. In the GI market, we have models that help increase adenoma detection rates as the doctors are doing procedures. We employ that in our center and many other places do. We're seeing it come in with documentation, procedure documentation, more than just a voice recognition, but helping the reports be more consistent. And then document going further with the coding, much more efficient. Finishing the notes. Operations. We're seeing a lot in terms of operations. Some of our scheduling modules, how to apply some artificial intelligence to those areas to improve efficiency. Scheduling procedures in the right order, reaching out to patients in advance, communication, there's a lot more. Sending bot messages, things like that. And it's helping. It's helping in many ways. So. And that's just. I know more in the GIS space. I know in some of the other multispecialty areas, there's all sorts of the machines, the robotics, which I can't speak to, but it's out there and it's improving the efficiency of our operations.

[B]

Absolutely. And 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]

I think. Well, I won't go on about the hospitals. They're already, you know, starting AFCs. They've been involved from the very beginning, but the vendors are becoming more and more important, especially for new centers that open up. They are coming in as investors. Stryker comes to mind. They will finance your operations. They manage the supply chain, which is a big issue for many centers. So I'd say over the next couple of years, the vendor involvement is going to be key.

[B]

Well, thank you, Helen, so much for joining me today. Is there anything else we didn't touch on or final thoughts you'd like to share on the show?

[C]

Well, in another life, I am part of the New York State association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and we're seeing a big becoming more and more involved with the payers and the the changes in the Medicaid programs. And I think the Medicaid programs and the legislators are beginning to realize the value of ASCs, the benefits of moving the cases from the higher cost hospital settings into ambulatory care, and the patient satisfaction levels. So that's something we talk about it a lot. And I want to keep the focus on that because that is really important.

[B]

Absolutely. Well, Helen, thanks so much for being here. Again, we are recording live at the 31st annual Becker's Business and Operations of ASCS.