February 16, 2021 - Waco, TX - Join us in congratulating Fish-Pond on a big January!

Dr. Nolan Malthesen completed the first outpatient joint replacements in the center and Dr. Bruce Hamilton completed the first spine surgery cases in the center.

These cases represent the beginning of something new for McLennan County residents. For the right patients, these surgeries can now be completed safely and effectively in our outpatient surgery center. The surgeons, anesthesiologists, and center staff deserve big credit for putting in the work to make these programs a reality for Waco area residents.

January 19, 2021—Waco, TX—Missty Pearson, Fish Pond Surgery Center (FPSC), awarded the 2020 Beth Derby STAR Award. 

S.T.A.R. stands for service, teamwork, accountability, and respect. Annually, Compass presents this award to the ASC Administrator who most fully embodies these values.

From mid-2019 through the end of 2020, Missty Pearson not only managed her center through pandemic hardships, she also led boldly through an ASC management transition and additions of complex service lines at the center. Known by her peers, staff, and center partners as a hard-working and authentic, Pearson can always be found alongside her staff. She leads her team by demonstrating and modeling values through her actions and communication.

Fish Pond’s Dr. Donnie Stewart and Compass' Beth Derby, Sean Rambo, and Stacy Danahy presented the award to Pearson in a small ceremony in early January 2021, as Pearson’s staff cheered enthusiastically.

January 18, 2021 - Raleigh, N.C. – Compass Surgical Partners has expanded its operations team and hired Riley Orr as Market President. Riley will be based in Raleigh and oversee partnerships throughout the State as well as many Compass strategic partnerships in other markets.

Sean Rambo, Compass COO and President, said, “Riley will expand our ability to strategically manage and grow our partnerships, bringing immense value to our operations team. His expertise combined with his character will prove indispensable to the continued health of our existing partnerships and the evolution of our new partnerships. We are truly excited he is joining our leadership team.”

An accomplished surgery center operator, Orr spent several years with United Surgical Partners (USPI). As one of their key operators in the Dallas market he oversaw as many as 11 centers, including a key component of their joint venture with Baylor Health System.

Insights from an ASC Expert
Scott Bacon

January 19, 2021 - As I interact with surgeons across the country regarding their involvement in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), I continue to hear certain questions. Answers to these questions tend to be ‘common sense’ for someone who develops ASCs, but I realized this guidance is not always readily available to surgeons and industry partners.

Based on this, I am rolling out ‘Insights from an ASC Expert.’ This column will provide ASC development expertise to surgeons interested in learning more about this growing healthcare niche. If you have a topic or question you would like answered in a future ‘Insights’ column, feel free to email me directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And without further ado, I welcome you to the inaugural ‘Insights from an ASC Expert’ column:

How many surgeon partners do I need to form a new ASC partnership?

December 2, 2020 - Raleigh, N.C. – Dialysis provider executive Marissa Freedman joins Compass Surgical Partners as new Chief Financial Officer.

Driven by joint and spine surgeons, Compass’ unique market approach has led to significant growth. Freedman will provide direct finance leadership to support that growth. Additionally, Freedman will have broad strategic authority as a member of the Compass executive team.

“World class surgeons deserve world class resources,” says Compass CEO DJ Hill. “As we seek to further advance our ability to provide stellar services to our partners, we are thrilled to have someone of Marissa’s caliber join our team.”

Freedman will oversee a broad array of finance and key services that enable Compass to deliver industry leading results on behalf of its partnerships. She joins Compass after successful executive roles at DaVita Kidney Care that spanned finance, operations, and strategy across the South-East, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-West.