Dear IASCA Board and Members,

As we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, ASC leaders are facing challenges we have never encountered before.  I would like to take a moment and share with you how IASCA is here to help you navigate the new environment we find ourselves in.

The first step was our conference, where we had a wonderful showing from Idaho ambulatory surgery centers.  It was great to be able to meet in person, receive important updates, and to see so many IASCA faces. We had several new members, and it was wonderful to meet you. Thank you so much for joining us.

We would like to thank those who completed their conference survey and provided great feedback. After reviewing the results from the survey, we see many opportunities for us as an organization to pursue and improve upon.

Over these next two years I hope to accomplish the following tasks:

1. More communication: IASCA will continue to ensure that members are kept up to date on important and relevant topics related to ASC’s as well as day to day operations through the use a variety of platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and our website. We will also send periodic emails and letters with important information.
2. Networking opportunities: We have created a Facebook group where we can share survey results, do polls, Q&A sessions and provide information. You will be receiving an email with an invitation to join our Facebook group. I encourage everyone to participate so we can support one another, discuss essential topics, and keep us all up to date. For example, if someone has just completed their survey, please share the valuable information you learned with those who have surveys coming up.
3. Provide access to some of Idaho’s great ASC leaders: Did you know that the current IASCA board has over 100+ years of experience in direct care and management of ASC’s? We are here to help you! You can contact the board through the Facebook group or by emailing iasca.executivedirector@gmail.com.
4. Advocate for Idaho ASC’s: IASCA is the primary advocate for ambulatory surgery centers in Idaho, so we want to encourage and provide ASC leaders the opportunity to meet with house and senate representatives. Our association educates Idaho’s congressional leaders about ASC’s and the benefits offered to our patients. In 2023, we will have several new leaders in the house and senate so let’s educate our state leaders about our ASC environment.
5. Collaboration with Vendors who provide services in Idaho: Did you know that AIE, Armada, HST Pathways, McKesson, Medvantage, and SIS are corporate members of IASCA? Not only do they provide Idaho ASC’s with equipment/supplies they need, they also support our organization financially which in turn helps you.
6. Build a strong ASC community: I would encourage all of us to engage new Administrators, Director of Nursing members etc. to join so we can help support them in their new success of the ASC environment. If you have a new center in your area, please go and introduce yourself and share what IASCA is all about. IASCA is about networking and offering support to one another. We become stronger when we have a network of individuals who share their experience.
7. Provide a valuable resource to ASC’s leaders and their facilities: At our board meeting in May, the IASCA board voted on a new fee structure that we hope is amicable and fair to all ASC’s. Our new fee structure will be explained with your membership invoice that will be sent out shortly.
8. Increase attendance at our annual conference: As a board, we feel that meeting together is a great opportunity to network, learn, and share valuable information. We would like to see more members attend so part of our fee structure change is to provide IASCA members with one complimentary attendee at our upcoming conference.
9. Save the date: We are already working on our 2023 conference. Due to space availability, our 2023 conference will be September 21-22, 2023. More details to come later!

I am excited about the upcoming next few years and look forward to seeing you again.

Thank you again for all you do to provide excellent care to your patients!

All my best,

Lonna Welch, BSBM