ASCOA Team
Founders/Executive Management
Development
Operations
Finance
Corporate Support
Founders/Executive Management:
Thomas J. Bombardier, MD, FACS
tbombardier@ascoa.com
Dr. Bombardier is an ophthalmologist, and one of the three founding
principals of the company. Prior to founding ASCOA, he established the
largest ophthalmic practice in Western Massachusetts, two ambulatory
surgical centers, and a regional referral center. Over the past
seventeen years, he has been a real estate developer on Cape Cod, MA.
Dr. Bombardier is a graduate of Amherst College, Albany Medical College,
and Louisiana State University residency program.
Brent W. Lambert, MD, FACS
blambert@ascoa.com
Dr. Lambert is a board-certified ophthalmologist, is a graduate of
Harvard College, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary residency
program. Prior to the founding of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of
America, Dr. Lambert was the developer and owner of three ambulatory
surgical centers, including the first eye ASC in New England. Currently
Dr. Lambert is responsible for business development at ASCOA.
George A. Violin, MD, FACS
gviolin@ascoa.com
Dr. Violin is a board-certified ophthalmologist, and one of the three
founding principals of the company. He has owned and developed two
ambulatory surgical centers and a large multiple office ophthalmic
practice in eastern Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Columbia College,
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Harvard
Medical School & Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary residency program.
Luke M. Lambert, MBA, CFA, CASC
llambert@ascoa.com
Mr. Lambert came to ASCOA, first as its CFO in 1997 and then becoming
its CEO in 2002, with a broad background in finance, strategy, and
operations. Mr. Lambert worked for Smith Barney in international sell
side equity research. At Booz, Allen & Hamilton and Ernst & Young, Mr.
Lambert consulted with entities starting new ventures, entering new
markets and reengineering business processes. Mr. Lambert is a graduate
of Harvard College, where he studied economics, and obtained his MBA
from the Columbia Graduate School of Business. Mr. Lambert was among the
first to earn the CASC designation in 2002.
Robert Westergard, CPA
rwestergard@ascoa.com
Mr. Westergard is the Chief Financial Officer of the company.
Prior to joining ASCOA, Mr. Westergard worked as the Controller for
Truman Capital Advisors. Mr. Westergard has an additional eight years of
finance and accounting experience in the software, chemical and
healthcare industries. He received a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young
University.
Susan Kizirian, RN, MBA
skizirian@ascoa.com
Ms. Kizirian is the Chief Operating Officer of ASCOA. Ms. Kizirian
has over 17 years experience in all aspects of ASC operations serving as
Executive Director and as a consultant for ASC management and
development. Most recently, Ms. Kizirian worked with the University of
Virginia Health System ASC program. Additionally, she has 15 years of
practice management experience and 8 years of expertise with clinical
site research. Ms. Kizirian currently serves as Life-Time Past President
Emeritus on the Board of Directors of the Florida Society of Ambulatory
Surgery Centers, is past Treasurer of the American Association of
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (AAASC), and past President of the Ambulatory
Surgery Management Society of the Medical Group Management Association.
She has her RN from Florida State University and her MBA from Nova
University.
Development:
Jeff E. Péo
jpeo@ascoa.com
Mr. Péo is a Vice President of Acquisitions & Development. He graduated
from Brigham Young University with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering.
Prior to joining ASCOA, Mr. Péo ran a Knowledge Management and Information
Technology consulting division for a Fortune 100 company.
Brandon T. Frazier
bfrazier@ascoa.com
Mr. Frazier is a Vice President of Acquisitions & Development and is
focused the development of de novo ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)
as well as the acquisition of existing centers. Before joining ASCOA, Mr.
Frazier served Smith & Nephew in a leadership position that was focused
exclusively on ASCs. Prior to that, he spent 11 years working for hospitals,
at a national level, to help them contain supply and equipment costs to
improve profitability. Today, Mr. Frazier spends a majority of his
time working with hospital executives on joint venture relationships;
identifying opportunities increase profitability and market share through
partnerships with key surgeons from their surrounding area. Mr.
Frazier received a BBA from Oklahoma Baptist University and is currently
working towards completing his MBA.
Robert H. Beck
rbeck@ascoa.com
Mr. Beck is a Vice President of Acquisitions & Development. Prior to
joining ASCOA he spent 30 years in executive positions in the Grocery
Distribution, Software and Educational Assessment industries. His career
has focused upon starting new ventures, entering new markets, leveraging
emerging technologies, increasing operational efficiency and managing change in
complex and high growth environments. His experience includes
responsibilities for operations, sales and consulting.
Donna Greene
dgreene@ascoa.com
Ms.
Greene is a Vice President of
Acquisitions and Development with over 20 years experience in healthcare.
During her career, Ms. Greene has overseen the acquisition and development
of more than 250 facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers, surgical
specialty hospitals, imaging centers and outpatient rehabilitation centers,
for leading healthcare companies such as HealthSouth, United Surgical
Partners International, and Symbion. Additionally, Ms. Greene has been
licensed as a registered rep with the National Association of Securities
Dealers since 1997. Ms. Greene holds both a Series 22 and
a Series 63 license and has successfully syndicated more than one hundred
ambulatory surgery centers, surgical specialty hospitals and whole
hospitals. Ms. Greene received a BA from University of
North Texas.
Jimbo Cross
jcross@ascoa.com
Mr.
Cross is a Vice President of
Acquisitions and Development. Prior to joining ASCOA, Mr. Cross
spent 10 years with Johnson & Johnson in executive and sales management
positions within their medical device and pharmaceutical sectors.
Most recently he led cross functional teams across the J&J Family of
Companies, at some of the largest hospital systems nationally. He
has extensive experience managing large physician owned companies,
utilizing six sigma process improvements to enhance practice
performance. Prior to Johnson & Johnson, he had a successful
career with a Fortune 500 supply chain and logistics company. Mr.
Cross received a B.S. from Texas A&M University and has completed
coursework toward his MBA at the University of Texas at Austin.
Rodger Baca
rbaca@ascoa.com
Mr.
Baca is a Vice President of
Acquisitions & Development. Prior to joining ASCOA he spent 20 years in
executive positions with Global Leaders in logistics, telecom, financial
services and consulting. His career has focused on increasing
profitability, creating revenue, building organizations, increasing
operational efficiency and managing change in complex and high growth
environments. Mr. Baca received a Bachelor of Business Administration
and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas.
Mr. Baca resides in Dallas with his wife and two children.
Jeff Fox
jfox@ascoa.com
Mr.
Fox is a Vice
President of Acquisitions and Development bringing over 20 years of
experience in physician owned outpatient ventures. His career in
healthcare has included capital equipment sales, ASC development and ASC
project finance, where he was involved in the lending of capital for
hundreds of surgery centers and led origination teams for Copelco
Capital, Citibank, and Marcap. Prior to joining ASCOA, Mr. Fox was a
Vice President of Development with Surgical Care Affiliates and was
successful in developing hospital JV partnerships and ASC acquisitions.
Mr. Fox received a BS from Trinity University and MA from Fuller
Theological Seminary.
Operations:
Ann Geier, RN, MS, CNOR, CASC
ageier@ascoa.com
Ms. Geier is a Senior Vice President of Operations with over 20 years of
experience in all aspects of ASC operations, including perioperative services,
clinical coordinator, administrator and chief operating officer of a
multispecialty ASC. Ms. Geier serves on the Board of Directors of ASCAssociation,
writes a monthly column for Outpatient Surgery Magazine, lectures for AORN, and
is on the editorial board of Same Day Surgery.
Laurie Hendrix, RN, BSN, CASC
lhendrix@ascoa.com
Ms. Hendrix is a Senior Vice President of Operations with over 20 years
experience in all aspects of the ASC setting, including Administrator, Clinical
Coordinator and OR nurse. Ms. Hendrix was Administrator of The Surgery Center,
Columbus, Georgia from 2000-2004. She has an Associate Degree in Nursing from
Highline Community College and a BSN from Columbus State University.
Suzanne Wienbarg, RN, CASC
swienbarg@ascoa.com
Ms. Wienbarg is a Senior Vice President of Operations with over 25 years of
experience in Healthcare management and operations. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms.
Wienbarg was a Vice President of Operations for the Ambulatory Surgery Division
of HealthSouth Corporation. While with HealthSouth, Ms. Wienbarg was a
registered rep for syndications of surgery centers. During her career with
HealthSouth, she worked extensively in development, operations and physician
recruitment. She has been active as a member and officer in healthcare
professional organizations. Ms. Wienbarg is an RN and received her nursing
degree from Florida Community College in Jacksonville.
Cathy Rudisill, RN, MHA, CNOR, CASC, BSN
crudisill@ascoa.com
Ms. Rudisill is a Senior Vice President of Operations with extensive
experience in the perioperative setting. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms. Rudisill
worked as a market manager for the HealthSouth Corporation and as the Executive
Director for the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System Surgery Center. Ms.
Rudisill is a Registered Nurse with certification in operating room nursing; she
completed her BSN at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and her MHA at
Seton Hall University.
Lee Rocque, RN, CASC
lrocque@ascoa.com
Ms. Rocque is a Senior Vice President of Operations with over 30 years of
management experience in the healthcare field. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms.
Rocque worked as an administrator for Surgical Care Affiliates, formerly
HealthSouth, and lead in the development of a patient educational brochure,
Understanding Your Pain, which was featured for publication by both JACHO
Perspectives and OR Manager. In addition, Ms. Rocque has extensive experience in
initial development and start-up operations in various healthcare markets
including senior living facilities, managed healthcare, and group practice
management. She received her nursing degree from Brevard Community College and
is an active member in various healthcare and professional organizations.
Stacey K. Taylor, RN, BSN, CASC
staylor@ascoa.com
Ms. Taylor is a Senior Vice President of Operations with over 15 years of
experience in all aspects of the healthcare field. Prior to joining the company,
Ms. Taylor was the Regional Administrator of four multi-specialty surgery
centers and was recognized for resourceful management skills and the exceptional
ability to lead projects. She earned her BSN in 1996 from Shepherd College in
West Virginia and received her CASC in May, 2006.
Kim Albert, RN, CGRN, CASC
kalbert@ascoa.com
Ms. Albert is a Vice President of Operations with over 20 years of experience in
all aspects of the healthcare field, including 8 years in the ASC setting. Prior
to joining the company she assisted in the development of a single specialty ASC
from the design stage. Ms. Albert had oversight of operations and served as the
Administrator. She is a registered nurse and received her CASC in May 2005.
Charles S. Cohen
ccohen@ascoa.com
Mr. Cohen is a Vice President of Operations with over 20 years of experience
in healthcare management and operations. Mr. Cohen worked most recently as an
independent consultant specializing in physician-owned outpatient facilities.
Mr. Cohen has served in a “C” level capacity at Deployed Medical Solutions, Inc.
and SurgiCare Inc., where he was involved in the development, acquisition, and
management of physician-owned outpatient surgical facilities. He also has
extensive experience in the design and construction and daily operations of
surgical centers. Mr. Cohen was educated at the University of Missouri and
Maryville University.
Marlene Bell, RN, MN, CASC, CNOR
mbell@ascoa.com
Ms. Bell is a Vice President of Operations with over 30 years experience
working in healthcare. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms. Bell spent five years as a
nurse practitioner, 16 years in inpatient perioperative services and, most
recently, 11 years in the ASC industry. She has worked as an ASC Administrator
and as an Operations Consultant for ASCs and hospital perioperative departments.
Ms. Bell received her CASC in 2005.
Varlene M. Hamilton, RN, MBA, CNOR, LHRM, CASC
vhamilton@ascoa.com
Ms. Hamilton is a Vice President of Operations with over 22 years
experience in the perioperative setting. She began her career as a surgical
technologist advancing to the roles of Director of Nursing, Administrator and
Risk Manager. She has also served as a consultant to several ASCs with
experience in the startup and licensure of multi and single specialty ASCs. Ms.
Hamilton earned her BSN from Florida Atlantic University and her MBA from Barry
University, Florida.
Sharon Benson, RN, MSN, MBA, CASC
sbenson@ascoa.com
Ms. Benson is a Vice President of Operations with over 25 years of
management and healthcare experience. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms. Benson
worked for 8 years with AmSurg Corp in all aspects of ASC operations. Most
recently she worked as Associate Vice President of Operations for the
Multi-Specialty Division of AmSurg Corp. Ms. Benson is a registered nurse
who received her CASC in September 2006. She has been an active member of
healthcare organizations and is currently a member of the American College
Healthcare Executives (ACHE). She completed her MSN at Wesley College in
Delaware and MBA at the University of Arizona.
Margaret Chappell, RN, MS, CASC
mchappell@ascoa.com
Ms. Chappell is a Vice President of Operations with more than 25 years
of experience in all aspects of ambulatory surgery center administration,
including risk management, chief operating officer and administrator of two
multi-specialty surgery centers. She has also consulted in the development,
remodel and expansion of three surgery centers.
Lara Jordan, RN, BA, CNOR, CASC
ljordan@ascoa.com
Ms. Jordan is a Vice President of Operations with over 20 years of
experience in perioperative management. Most recently, Ms. Jordan worked for 5
years as the Administrator at the Center for Specialized Surgery in
Pennsylvania, a former ASCOA facility. She earned her nursing diploma from St.
Francis Medical Center School of Nursing in 1987. Ms. Jordan also earned a BS in
Business Administration from Muhlenburg College in 1999, and is pursuing her MBA
at DeSales University. She received her CNOR in 2001 and was CASC certified in
2008.
Laura Hofma Butrick, MBA, RHIA, CASC
lbutrick@ascoa.com
Ms. Butrick is a Vice President of Operations with over 25 years of
healthcare management experience, including 22 years in ASC operations. Prior to
joining ASCOA, Ms. Butrick worked in all aspects of ASC business operations
including facility development and acquisitions, physician relations, and
regulatory and accreditation compliance as a Regional Director and ASC
Administrator for United Surgical Partners. Ms. Butrick has also worked
with physicians in privately owned ASCs. She earned her BS in Health
Information Management from the University of Central Florida, her MBA from
Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and received her CASC credential in
2003.
Maureen Hartley, MS, RN, CASC
mhartley@ascoa.com
Ms. Hartley is a Vice President of Operations with more than 20 years
of experience in financial and operations management at a variety of
organizations, including Sallie Mae, Capital One and USP. Ms. Hartley
received her nursing degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in
Richmond, Virginia and also holds a BS in Business Management from Frostburg
State University and a Masters degree in Financial Management from Johns Hopkins
University. Prior to her current role, Ms. Hartley served as the
Administrator at an ASCOA facility in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Deborah Comerford, RN, BSN, CNOR, CASC, LHRM
dcomerford@ascoa.com
Ms. Comerford is a Vice President of Operations with over 30 years of
experience in perioperative nursing and management, including 12 years in the
ASC setting. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Comerford was the Vice President
of Clinical Operations for 13 multi-specialty surgery
centers. She has extensive experience in the design, construction, and daily
operation of surgery centers. She earned her BSN from Rutgers University,
obtained her CNOR in 2000 and CASC credential in 2007.
Terry Hawes, RN, BS
thawes@ascoa.com
Ms. Hawes is a Vice President of Operations with over 30 years
experience in the ASC industry, including positions as staff nurse, clinical
manager, Hospital Director and Administrator/Executive Director. Prior to
joining ASCOA, Ms. Hawes was Vice President for National Surgical Care where she
was responsible for both the development and management of freestanding ASCs,
hospital outpatient departments and an HOPD conversion to a physician/ hospital
joint venture. Ms. Hawes is a past president of both the California Ambulatory
Surgery Association (CASA) and the Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center
Association (WASCA) and is currently an active member of the WASCA Board. Ms.
Hawes is a registered nurse and has a BS in Health Services Administration from
St. Mary’s College in Orinda, CA.
Tyler Merrill
tmerrill@ascoa.com
Mr. Merrill is a Vice President of Operational Development. Prior to
joining ASCOA he worked as a sales representative for Pfizer
Pharmaceuticals. In addition to traditional sales training, Mr. Merrill has
experience developing business strategy for online start-ups as well as
storefront ventures. He holds a BA in Anthropology from Dickinson College.
Mr. Merrill is also an accredited tennis pro, and an avid skier.
Richard N. Christie, MD
rchristie@ascoa.com
Dr. Christie is a Vice President of Operational Development. Dr.
Christie is a board-certified Obstetrician/ Gynecologist and owned a private
practice in Newport Beach, CA for 15 years. As an investor and physician
at The Newport Beach Surgery Center, he has extensive personal knowledge of the
ASC industry. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Christie was also
involved in real estate development in Newport Beach and Palm Springs, CA. Dr.
Christie is a graduate of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX and
completed his residency in San Diego, CA.
Timothy J. Dyches, MD, FACS
tdyches@ascoa.com
Dr. Dyches is a Vice President of Operational Development. As a
board-certified otolaryngologist, Dr. Dyches owned a private practice in
Reno, NV for 23 years, with emphasis in pediatrics, FESS, facial plastic and
reconstructive surgery. Dr. Dyches was also a surgeon and partner in an
ambulatory surgery center for 11 years, where he served on the Board and in
medical and quality assurance positions. In addition to his medical
practice, Dr. Dyches was a Clinical Professor and the Otolaryngology
Craniofacial Clinic Director at the University of Nevada – Reno School of
Medicine. Dr. Dyches is a graduate of Brigham Young University, and
Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, where he also completed
his residency.
Finance:
Catherine Meredith, RN, BS, CASC
cmeredith@ascoa.com
Ms. Meredith is a Vice President of Finance. She has been managing surgery
departments since 1979 and has extensive experience in all phases and aspects of
inpatient and outpatient surgery management and development. Her ambulatory
systems expertise extends to physician offices where she has set up office-based
operation rooms, endoscopy suites, and pulmonary function and cardiac testing
labs. Prior to joining ASCOA, Ms. Meredith worked primarily in the development
of ambulatory surgery centers while with Woodrum/ASD. She earned her diploma in
nursing from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee and her
BS in Healthcare Administration from St. Joseph College in Windham, ME.
Sue McAllaster
smcallaster@ascoa.com
Ms. McAllaster serves as a Director of Finance for the company. She has
worked for over 20 years in physician healthcare management, with experience in
practice administration, medical billing management, and hospital consulting for
physician practices. Ms. McAllaster received an MBA from the University of Maine
at Orono.
Pamela B. Smalley
psmalley@ascoa.com
Ms. Smalley serves as a Director of Finance for the company. She has
over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field. Her experience is in
management and medical billing in the ambulatory surgery setting as well as
physician offices. Ms. Smalley received her degree in Business Management
and Accounting from Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC.
Reid Van Gorder, CFA
rvangorder@ascoa.com
Mr. Van Gorder is a Vice President of Finance for the company. He
graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Quantitative Economics. Prior
to joining ASCOA, Mr. Van Gorder served as the Investment Operations Associate
for Mintz Levin Financial Advisors and worked briefly as a Merchant Mariner on
Boston Harbor. Mr. Van Gorder remains an avid sailor.
Richard Clark
rclark@ascoa.com
Mr. Clark serves as a Director of Finance for the company. Prior to
joining ASCOA, Mr. Clark worked for over 14 years as the Director of Acquisition
and Analysis with NovaMed, Inc., which is now Surgery Partners. Mr. Clark also
has a background in commercial banking and graduated from the University of
Illinois with a BS in Finance.
Cody Harward
charward@ascoa.com
Mr. Harward serves as Senior Financial Analyst for the company. He
graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Nazarene College with a BS in Business
Administration. Prior to joining ASCOA, Mr. Harward worked in the
healthcare industry at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and also has a background in
sales.
Michael Chwalek, Jr.
mchwalek@ascoa.com
Mr. Chwalek serves as a Financial Analyst for the company. Prior
to joining ASCOA in 2007, Mr. Chwalek’s work experience included positions in
the financial services, software development and construction industries. He
graduated magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and a
Minor in Economics.
Gretchen Curtis
gcurtis@ascoa.com
Ms. Curtis serves as a Financial Analyst for the company. She
graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Economics. Prior to joining
ASCOA, Ms. Curtis worked for US SAILING, the national governing body of the
sport of sailing. She is a competitive sailor in her spare time.
Naomi D. Fisher
nfisher@ascoa.com
Ms. Fisher serves as a Financial Analyst for the company. Prior to
joining ASCOA, she worked for 6 years as a business analyst in the tradeshow
industry, with a focus on financial analysis, budgeting, and labor management.
Ms. Fisher holds a BS in Biology from Boston College, with a concentration in
pre-medical studies. She is an avid tennis player and also competes in local
triathlons.