Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Jennifer Friend, Chief Executive Officer and Owner at Friend Surgical Solutions
Jul 27, 2025
Jennifer Friend, Chief Executive Officer and Owner of Friend Surgical Solutions, shares her expertise in the world of ambulatory surgery centers. She discusses key shifts in procedure sites, emphasizing the growing role of private equity and AI-driven efficiencies. Jennifer dives into the financial realities facing ASCs, offering strategies for sustainable growth in both urban and rural areas. She also examines the challenges posed by Medicaid cuts and the need for innovative revenue models in healthcare, including the rise of concierge medicine.
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Shifting Procedure Sites
- Procedures are shifting from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) due to the evolving healthcare landscape.
- There's also a trend of procedures moving from ASCs to office-based settings with lighter anesthesia, changing care delivery dynamics.
Optimize Costs and Use AI
- Surgery center owners should closely monitor their operating costs to identify opportunities for savings.
- Use AI tools to improve efficiency by automating notes and managing inventory, freeing up provider time for patients.
Urban Growth vs Rural Decline
- Growth prospects vary by location; urban ASCs may thrive while rural centers risk decline from Medicaid cuts.
- Patient access to care could worsen in rural areas due to reduced surgery center availability.