Tricia Wollam, CASC Administrator, Alliance Surgery Center

Summary

Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast featuring Tricia Wollam, CASC Administrator, Alliance Surgery Center
Date: November 23, 2025
Host: Grace Lynn Keller (Becker's Healthcare)
Guest: Tricia Wollam, Administrator at Alliance Surgery Center

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the rapidly evolving landscape of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in the U.S., focusing on market growth, technological innovation, and emerging collaborative strategies. Tricia Wollam discusses her frontline experience as an administrator at an orthopedic-only ASC, sharing firsthand insights on the operational changes shaping the field.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Background

[00:53]

• Tricia Wollam introduces her role as the administrator of Alliance Surgery Center, an orthopedic-only facility in Traverse City, Michigan, hosting 12 surgeons and three operating rooms.
• She highlights her extensive involvement in the ASC sector.

2. Market Growth and Key Drivers

[01:07–02:15]

• The ASC market is projected to hit $60.8 billion by 2030, driven by strong annual growth.
• Growth Drivers:
  • Shift toward higher-acuity procedures:

    “More complex, higher acuity procedures, total joints, cardiac cases, things like that are going to continue to just drive those cases towards the ASC, which is going to continue to just grow the market.” (Tricia Wollam, 01:27)

  • Broader CMS coverage:

    “CMS, you know, is covering more and more procedures every year in an ASC setting… I think we just are going to continue to see that grow and that's becoming by patient preference.” (Tricia Wollam, 01:35)

  • Insurance and patient preferences:
    • Insurers and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are increasingly recognizing the value proposition of ASCs, both as payers and in terms of patient experience.

3. Technology & Digital Transformation

[02:15–03:27]

• Role of Technology in ASCs:
  • AI, robotics, and advanced EHR/EMR systems are shaping the future of surgical care and ASC administration.
  • EHR Impact:

    “For us, an EMR system really was critical for us. We transitioned in February of this year and it has been a game changer..." (Tricia Wollam, 02:32)

    • Benefits highlighted include operational efficiency, increased case volume with existing staff, and streamlined processes.
  • Most Transformative Technology:

    “I'm a huge advocate of [EHR]. I cannot believe the difference and efficiencies that it has provided for our staff and for our center overall.” (Tricia Wollam, 03:09)

4. Collaboration & Partnerships

[03:27–03:59]

• 60% of health systems are considering or engaged in ASC joint ventures.
• There is significant opportunity for deeper collaboration among providers and vendors.

  “There's going to be coordinated care pathways...smoother transition...reduce duplication of services, but I also think we’re going to strengthen transparency and trust among those venture partnerships.” (Tricia Wollam, 03:42)

5. Future Outlook & Final Thoughts

[04:05–04:20]

• Tricia underscores the importance of maintaining a patient-centric focus:

  “If the ASCs continue to stay focused on keeping patient care at the center and providing that care in the most efficient ways possible, the future will continue to be bright for ASCs." (Tricia Wollam, 04:05)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Technology as a Game Changer:

  “We transitioned [to EMR] in February of this year and it has been a game changer for us.” (Tricia Wollam, 02:32)

• On Industry Growth:

  "More complex, higher acuity procedures...are going to continue to just drive those cases towards the ASC..." (Tricia Wollam, 01:27)

• On Collaboration:

  “We’re going to strengthen transparency and trust among those venture partnerships.” (Tricia Wollam, 03:42)

• On Patient Focus:

  “If the ASCs continue to stay focused on keeping patient care at the center...the future will continue to be bright...” (Tricia Wollam, 04:05)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:53] – Introduction to Tricia Wollam and Alliance Surgery Center
• [01:07] – Major trends and drivers in the ASC market
• [02:15] – Impact of technology and EMR adoption in ASCs
• [03:27] – Opportunities for partnerships and joint ventures
• [04:05] – Final advice for ASC leaders and the outlook for the future

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Conclusion

This episode offers a concise yet insightful exploration of the operational and strategic factors propelling the growth and success of ASCs. Key takeaways include the continuing migration of complex procedures into ASC settings, the sweeping benefits of technology (especially EHR implementation), and the growing importance of collaboration in delivering coordinated, patient-centered care. Tricia Wollam provides practical lessons and optimism for the future of ambulatory surgery.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Is Grace Lynn 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 Tricia Wallam who is the Administrator at Alliance Surgery Center. So Tricia, thanks for being here to kick us off. Can you please share a little bit about yourself and your work in the ASC space?

[C]

Sure, thanks for having me. Yes, I am the administrator of a orthopedic only surgery center in Traverse City, Michigan. We currently have 12 surgeons operating there and we have three operating rooms.

[B]

Wonderful. Well, thanks for being here. And let's start our conversation talking about the ASC market in the US. It's projected to reach 60.8 billion by 2030 and 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]

Yeah, great question. I think our trends that we're seeing are more complex. Higher acuity, acuity procedures, total joints, cardiac cases, things like that are going to continue to just drive those cases towards the asc, which is going to continue to just grow the market. I think also cms, you know, is covering more and more procedures every year in an ASC setting and I think we just are going to continue to see that grow and that's becoming by patient preference. Insurance companies are becoming more astute. I think CMS is becoming more astute of what an ASE can offer both them as a payer, but then also what they can offer patients.

[B]

And from AI and robotic surgeries to advanced EHR system, technology remains both a make or break factor and a critical driver of ASC operation 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]

I think technology is going to be a great thing. I think for us an EMR system really was critical for us. We transitioned in February of this year and it has been a game changer for us, it's allowing to become more efficient. You can have increased case volume with your current staffing model just due to the efficiencies across the center that it offers. So I think we're going to see more and more ASCs transitioning to EHR.

[B]

Systems and follow up to that. Is there one specific technology or innovation that does stand out to you as especially transformative?

[C]

Well, like I said, it would definitely be ehr. I'm a huge advocate of it. I cannot believe the difference and efficiencies that it has provided for our staff and for our center overall. So that one is definitely the one that I think highly of the most.

[B]

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 there's going to be coordinated care pathways kind of across the continuum of care. You're going to see smoother transition. It's going to reduce duplication of services, but I also think we're going to strengthen transparency and trust among those venture partnerships.

[B]

And as we wrap up our conversation, is there anything that we haven't touched on or any final thoughts you'd like to share?

[C]

I think the big thing is if the ASCs continue to stay focused on keeping patient care at the center and providing that care in the most efficient ways possible, the future will continue to be bright for ASCs.

[B]

Wonderful. Well, thank you so much for joining me today on the Becker's Healthcare Podcast. Again, we're recording live at the 31st annual Business and Operations of ASCS.

[C]

Thanks for having me.