Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Anthony J. Tortolani, MD, FACS, FACC, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeon and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College
Dec 22, 2025
Dr. Anthony J. Tortolani, a renowned cardiac and thoracic surgeon, shares insights from his extensive career at Weill Cornell Medical College. He dives into the challenges of declining hospital profit margins and workforce shortages, particularly in anesthesia. Tortolani explores the transformative role of AI in enhancing efficiency and enabling less invasive surgical options. He predicts a surge in outpatient cardiovascular care and emphasizes the necessity of aligning strategic vision with tactical operations to ensure patient-centered care amidst industry pressures.
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Hands-On ASC Building Experience
- Anthony J. Tortolani described building multiple ambulatory surgery centers across different hospitals during his career.
- He also recounted a safety-net hospital decision not to build an ASC due to lack of funds and patient base.
Anesthesiologist Shortage Looms
- Tortolani warns of a looming anesthesiologist shortage that could worsen within a decade.
- He believes nurse anesthetists with anesthesiologists nearby will be a short-term mitigation strategy.
Shrinking Margins Threaten Hospital Growth
- Declining hospital profit margins threaten capital growth for buildings and programs.
- Tortolani links payment limits and rising costs, including AI adoption, to pressure on margins.