United Surgical Partners International

United Surgical Partners International (USPI) operates as a significant owner and operator of ambulatory surgical facilities in the United States. The company was established in 1998 by Donald E. Steen, a pioneer in the outpatient surgery center sector, in partnership with the private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Steen's extensive background in the healthcare industry, including founding Medical Care International and serving as President of the International Group for Columbia/HCA, shaped USPI's strategic direction. His vision was to create a network of high-quality, lower-cost surgical centers.

USPI's business model is centered on a distinctive three-way partnership structure, creating joint ventures between local physicians, not-for-profit health systems, and USPI itself. This collaborative approach allows the company to develop and manage a broad network of facilities that are clinically and economically aligned with its partners. Revenue is generated through the surgical services provided at these centers. The company operates a vast network of over 535 facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and surgical hospitals. These facilities serve a wide range of patients, with over two million procedures performed annually.

The company's services cover a comprehensive range of surgical specialties tailored to community needs, such as orthopedics, spine, pain management, gastroenterology, and ophthalmology. A key milestone in USPI's history was the 2015 joint venture with Tenet Healthcare, which created one of the largest ambulatory surgery platforms in the nation. This transaction eventually led to Tenet acquiring a majority ownership stake, which now stands at 95%, making USPI a subsidiary of the diversified healthcare services company. This relationship provides USPI with substantial resources and a larger support system, further solidifying its market position. The company continues to expand its footprint through strategic acquisitions, such as the 2021 purchase of SurgCenter Development, which added numerous ASCs to its portfolio.

Keywords: ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient surgical facilities, short-stay surgery, surgical hospitals, healthcare partnerships, physician joint ventures, health system collaboration, orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, pain management, gastroenterology services, Tenet Healthcare subsidiary, ASC network, surgical care, clinical outcomes, patient experience, healthcare acquisitions, ambulatory care platform, outpatient services, Donald E. Steen