Becker’s Healthcare Podcast – Episode Summary

Guest: Leslie Jebson, Administrator, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Network, Prisma Health
Host: Francesca Matthews
Release Date: October 18, 2025

Overview

This episode features a dynamic conversation between Francesca Matthews and Leslie Jebson, Administrator of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Prisma Health. The discussion centers around current trends in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), emerging technologies such as AI and robotics in healthcare, Prisma Health’s strategies for growth, and the shifting landscape of musculoskeletal care delivery in the Southeast.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Leslie Jebson’s Background

• Experienced Healthcare Executive: 25 years spanning finance, operations, and clinical roles in both academic and private settings.
• Current Role: Oversees orthopedics and sports medicine at Prisma Health, with 225 clinicians providing statewide comprehensive musculoskeletal care.
  • “For the past two years, I’ve been with Prisma Health in South Carolina... overseeing orthopedics and sports medicine for the entire state.” – Leslie Jebson [00:22]

2. Top Trends in Healthcare and ASCs

• Resurgence of Retail ASCs:
  • Rapid growth after elimination of Certificate of Need in South Carolina.
  • New development efforts by various systems, with a focus on single-specialty ASCs (ophthalmology, GI, orthopedics) positioned for success.
  • “There’s the same movement again... with the elimination of the Certificate of Need in South Carolina. There’s a proliferation of efforts and plans by an array of healthcare systems to develop ASCs.” – Leslie Jebson [01:27]

3. Excitement Around Technology: AI and Surgical Robotics

• AI Integration:

  • Enhanced scheduling, workflow automation, and metrics analysis.
  • Leverages AI as an adjunct for administrative efficiency, not as a clinical diagnostic tool.

• Surgical Robotics:

  • Anticipates increase of high-volume, robot-assisted outpatient surgery centers.
  • “I’m really, really excited about artificial intelligence and surgical robotics. I think you’re going to see more of that enter into the ambulatory arena.” – Leslie Jebson [02:45]

• Direct Partnership with Industry:

  • Push for closer collaboration between physicians and vendors for case management and cost predictions.

4. Real-Life AI Applications at Prisma Health

• Upcoming Implementation:

  • Launching AI-driven solutions for appointment scheduling and prior authorization as of October 1st across ambulatory and ASC practice areas.
  • Working with multiple vendors to support these changes.
  • “October 1st we’ll be rolling out a comprehensive AI solution for all of our appointment scheduling... doing some work with ASCs.” – Leslie Jebson [04:17]

• Focus on Ambient AI:

  • Useful in transcription and administrative support.
  • Skeptical about AI replacing clinicians in imaging analysis anytime soon.
  • “The key is to use it as an adjunct... serving as an adjunct to the clinician and helping them work smarter.” – Leslie Jebson [05:04]

5. Growth Strategy Over the Next 12 Months

• Market Position:

  • Dominant musculoskeletal market share in South Carolina (90% pediatric orthopedics).

• Sustainable Expansion:

  • 5% outpatient visit growth over 24 months, onboarding 17 clinicians this summer, and 25+ active recruitments.
  • Serves patients from every county in the state.
  • “It’s just sustained, predictable growth and an imperative to have seamless orchestration in how we provide musculoskeletal services amongst the care delivery settings.” – Leslie Jebson [06:02]

• Innovations in Care Settings:

  • Interest in nanosuites and migrating minor procedures (carpal tunnel, knee scopes) increasingly to the office setting.
  • Focus on quality care at the lowest possible cost.
  • “Procedures that will migrate more to the office setting, which would seem unfathomable a decade ago.” – Leslie Jebson [07:02]

6. Future of Orthopedics

• Regional Optimism:
  • Bright prospects for orthopedics especially in the Southeast.
  • Emphasis on embracing technology and supporting clinicians with state-of-the-art facilities.
  • “The future is bright for orthopedics nationally. The future is very bright for orthopedics in the Southeast...” – Leslie Jebson [08:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ASC Market Shifts:
  “What’s old is new again.” – Leslie Jebson [01:27]
• On AI in Healthcare:
  “AI is going to help us get even slicker on our scheduling and analyzing key metrics in real time more than retrospective analysis of performance.” – Leslie Jebson [02:45]
• On Growth Strategy:
  “We want to expand carefully, a sustainable growth.” – Leslie Jebson [06:12]
• On Clinical Migration to Office Setting:
  “For me, we’re thinking, where can we provide the highest quality care at the lowest possible cost for our patients?” – Leslie Jebson [07:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Guest Introduction & Background: 00:16 – 01:07
• Key Trends in ASCs: 01:14 – 02:32
• Exciting Technology Trends (AI, Robotics): 02:45 – 04:03
• AI Implementation at Prisma Health: 04:03 – 05:57
• Growth Plans and Service Expansion: 06:02 – 07:53
• Future Outlook & Closing Thoughts: 08:07 – 08:35

Conclusion

In this concise but insightful episode, Leslie Jebson shares a visionary yet pragmatic approach to musculoskeletal care. Listeners gain actionable perspectives on the evolution of ASCs, the practical deployment of AI and robotics, and the imperative of sustainable growth in a rapidly shifting healthcare landscape. Prisma Health’s proactive embrace of technology and patient-centered innovation positions it as a leader in the Southeast and a model nationwide.