NAMES IN THE NEWS

Avanza Appoints Executive in Residence

JANUARY 2024

Mark Garvin

Avanza Healthcare Strategies of Westchester, Illinois, a national advisory firm helping hospitals and health systems to develop, execute and oversee their ambulatory and outpatient initiatives, has appointed Mark Garvin as the company's executive in residence, according to a release.

Garvin has more than 25 years of experience planning, developing and operating ASCs and managing ambulatory care partnerships. He retired from United Surgical Partners International (USPI) in 2020 after 24 years of service in various leadership positions, including chief operating officer. In this role, he managed one of the largest portfolios of ASCs in the country, according to the release. He led the organization through 350-plus ASC transactions, including more than 60 health system partnerships and equity joint ventures with more than 8,000 physician partners.

"We are thrilled to have Mark join our organization as we continue to develop a comprehensive portfolio of advisory and administrative services that empower our clients in executing their strategies," said Erik Miller, president of Avanza and its parent organization, MedHQ, in the release.

As executive in residence, Garvin will work with Avanza's clients on strategic and operational planning as they develop their ASC and ambulatory strategies.

"Mark is undeniably one of the leading experts in the ASC market, but, moreover, his experience in a wide variety of healthcare settings and board-level experience will be invaluable to our clients," said Joan Dentler, founder of Avanza, in the release.

Garvin also has held leadership and board positions in national organizations including US Anesthesia Partners, Prospira PainCare (now partnered with National Spine & Pain Centers), OrthoLink Physicians Corp. and SCA Health.

"I am thrilled to join Avanza and the MedHQ team at this stage of their growth journey," Garvin said in the release. "Avanza has an exceptional track record of advising some of the country's leading healthcare organizations. Its core advisory services, in combination with MedHQ, provide significant scale and the expertise to advise on and deliver the essential functions required to operate an ASC portfolio effectively. The business model is applicable across a wide range of operating strategies."