Ascension has completed its acquisition of AMSURG, adding a large network of ambulatory surgery centers as health systems continue to expand outpatient care services.

The St. Louis-based Catholic nonprofit health system said the deal increases its ambulatory surgery center (ASC) footprint to 300 facilities nationwide. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed in the announcement.

The acquisition comes as more surgical procedures shift from hospitals to outpatient settings, driven by advances in technology, patient preferences and efforts to reduce healthcare costs. ASC operators have become attractive acquisition targets for health systems seeking to expand access points and diversify care delivery models.
Ascension said the expanded network will allow it to increase outpatient surgical capacity while reserving hospital resources for patients requiring more complex acute care services.

“Healthcare is increasingly moving beyond the traditional hospital setting, and this acquisition positions us to lead that transformation,” said Eduardo Conrado, president and CEO of Ascension. “By expanding our ambulatory surgery capabilities, we are making care more accessible, convenient, and affordable for patients, while ensuring our hospitals remain focused on highly specialized acute care. Together, we are building a more integrated, future-ready health system."

AMSURG, based in Nashville, Tennessee, develops, manages and operates ambulatory surgery centers across the United States. The company has spent more than 30 years building partnerships with physicians and healthcare organizations to support outpatient surgical care.

“This is an important step forward for AMSURG. Joining Ascension strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality care and expand access for the communities we serve,” said Jeff Snodgrass, AMSURG president and CEO.

The transaction further expands Ascension’s presence in outpatient care, an area that has become a strategic focus for many health systems as care increasingly moves into lower-cost community settings. Industry observers have noted that outpatient surgery centers can offer operational efficiencies and shorter patient stays compared with traditional hospital-based procedures.

With the deal now complete, Ascension said it will continue integrating AMSURG’s operations into its broader healthcare network.

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