Jax Surgery Center Taps into Outpatient Care Revolution

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – March 10, 2026 – A new strategic partnership is set to significantly advance the delivery of surgical care in Northeast Florida, reflecting a nationwide shift toward more accessible and efficient outpatient procedures. Health system giant Baptist Health, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) specialist Compass Surgical Partners, and multispecialty group Coastal Health have officially joined forces with 15 local physicians to operate the Middleburg Surgery Center in Jacksonville.

Located near Baptist Medical Center Clay, the 5,500-square-foot facility with two operating rooms is poised to meet the growing demand for high-quality surgical services outside of a traditional hospital setting. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the region, combining the institutional strength of a major health system with the specialized expertise of an ASC developer and the clinical leadership of practicing surgeons.

The Shifting Landscape of Surgical Care

The opening of the Middleburg Surgery Center is not an isolated event but a prime example of a powerful trend reshaping American healthcare. The migration of surgical procedures from hospital inpatient settings to ambulatory surgery centers has accelerated dramatically, driven by advancements in medical technology, improved anesthesia techniques, and a growing demand for cost-effective, patient-centric care.

Industry data shows that ASCs now handle more than half of all outpatient surgeries in the United States, with procedure volumes projected to climb by 20% or more over the next decade. This shift is fueled by the model's inherent efficiencies. ASCs are specialized facilities designed exclusively for outpatient procedures, allowing for streamlined operations, predictable scheduling, and a more controlled environment. For patients, this often translates into lower infection rates and a more comfortable, less intimidating experience compared to a large, bustling hospital.

"Middleburg Surgery Center exemplifies our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality care throughout the communities we serve," said Eric Fletcher, FACHE, Chief Strategy Officer at Baptist Health. "This center brings together surgeons from multiple specialties, creating opportunities for collaboration and efficiency that benefit both physicians and patients."

A Strategic Alliance for Northeast Florida

This new venture is a calculated move within Baptist Health's broader strategy to expand its outpatient surgical footprint across the region. The health system has been actively developing a network of facilities, branded as Horizon Surgery Center, through its partnership with Compass Surgical Partners. This initiative involves both acquiring existing centers and upgrading outpatient facilities already owned by the health system, preserving hospital capacity for more complex, higher-acuity cases.

Compass Surgical Partners brings to the table a proven track record of developing and managing over 250 ASCs, providing the operational framework and management expertise essential for success. The company's model focuses on creating joint ventures that align the interests of health systems and physicians.

"Opening this multi-specialty ASC in partnership with Baptist Health marks an important milestone in our mission to expand access to specialized surgical care in northwest Florida," said Scott Bacon, CFP®, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Compass Surgical Partners. "We're building a network of ASCs that advances continuity of care and benefits patients who deserve high-quality ambulatory surgical care close to home."

The center's location in Clay County is particularly strategic. The area has experienced explosive population growth, creating a pressing need for healthcare services that are close to home. The Middleburg facility will offer procedures across a range of specialties, including orthopedics, urology, otolaryngology, pain management, and general surgery.

Enhancing the Patient Experience and Lowering Costs

For patients, the most significant impact of the ASC model is the dual benefit of an improved experience and substantial cost savings. Because ASCs have lower overhead and more focused operations than full-service hospitals, they can offer the same procedures at a fraction of the price. Research shows that orthopedic procedures can be up to 40% cheaper in an ASC, while common procedures like colonoscopies can see savings of over 60% compared to hospital outpatient departments.

These savings extend to patients through lower out-of-pocket costs and co-pays. Beyond the financial benefits, the patient experience is often cited as a key advantage. ASCs typically offer easier parking, faster check-in processes, shorter wait times, and the convenience of recovering in the comfort of one's own home on the same day as the procedure. The smaller scale fosters a more personalized, less clinical atmosphere, which many patients find reassuring.

The Middleburg Surgery Center, which is fully licensed and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), is designed to deliver on this promise of a superior patient journey from start to finish.

Empowering Physicians to Elevate Quality

At the core of the Middleburg Surgery Center's model is its foundation of physician leadership. The partnership includes 15 practicing surgeons from prominent local groups, including Baptist Health, North Florida Surgeons, McIver Urology, and Coastal Health. This physician-led approach is critical to the ASC's success, fostering an environment of clinical excellence and innovation.

"This partnership represents an important evolution in how we deliver surgical care in our community," explained Dr. Michael Greene, an interventional spine and pain specialist and a partner in the center. "We're bringing together physicians... to create a collaborative, patient-centered environment. The efficiency and personalized attention possible in an ASC allow us to deliver the same exceptional surgical results our patients expect in a personalized, lower-cost, more convenient setting."

For physicians, ASC joint ventures offer increased clinical autonomy and control. They can influence scheduling, assemble specialized surgical teams, and select the specific equipment and tools best suited for their techniques—a level of control often unattainable in a large hospital system. This empowerment not only improves professional satisfaction but also directly contributes to quality improvement, as physician-owners are deeply invested in the center's performance and patient outcomes.

This collaborative model also serves as a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top medical talent in the region. As demand for services continues to grow, the partnership is already evaluating expansion opportunities, confident that its physician-led, patient-focused approach is the future of surgical care in Northeast Florida.