Joint Ventures

ASCOA Team

Founders/Executive Management
Operations
Finance

George A Violin, MD, FACS

Dr. Violin is a board-certified ophthalmologist, and a founding principal 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

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.

Monica M. Ziegler, MSN

Ms. Ziegler joined ASCOA in September 2021 as the Chief Operating Officer.  Ms. Ziegler has an extensive background in hospital and ASC management, ranging from start up’s to multi-surgery center administration in single and multi-specialty centers.  Ms. Ziegler has a BSN from Bloomsburg University and an MSN from Villanova University and was CASC certified in 2008.   Ms. Ziegler served the Pennsylvania State ASC Association in VP and Presidential roles for over 10 years.   She is well known in the ASC industry for her “vision and implementation” of cost efficiency and efficacy strategies and mentoring of developing administrators.

Michael Chwalek, Jr.

Mr. Chwalek serves as Senior 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. Mr. Chwalek received his MBA from Johns Hopkins’ Carey School of Business, with a dual specialization in Health Care Administration and Financial Management.