Ascension buys ambulatory surgery centers in deal reportedly worth $3.9B
Two weeks after a Bloomberg report claimed Ascension Health was set to buy Amsurg, an ambulatory surgery company, from its private equity owners, the deal has now been confirmed.
Ascension said on June 17 it had entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Amsurg outright, with the deal expected to be finalized later this year. While no specifics on cost were provided, Bloomberg had reported the deal was likely to be worth $3.9 billion.
With the acquisition, Ascension—one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S.—adds roughly 250 ambulatory surgery centers across 34 states under its umbrella, expanding its outpatient care offerings.
“The healthcare landscape is changing rapidly, and Ascension is leading the way in adapting to that change,” Eduardo Conrado, President of Ascension, said in a statement. “The shift from inpatient to outpatient care is accelerating nationwide. By investing in Amsurg’s strong ambulatory surgery center network, we are proactively responding to this transformation.”
Ascension believes the acquisition will allow it to better care for patients in-house by reducing the number of referrals outside the network. The company said this will allow it to focus more on community-based local care, with the acquired surgery centers supporting Ascension hospitals and other clinics in various markets.
“We are investing in a platform to support independent physician groups and health care systems alike, and, most crucially, we are ensuring that patients have access to the care they need in convenient, trusted and community-based environments,” Conrado added.
Ascension expands beyond hospital walls
The Catholic-based nonprofit’s existing portfolio is largely focused on hospitals, as it operates facilities in 19 states, plus Washington, D.C. In total, the group runs 94 hospitals and holds a financial stake in 27 others, according to its website.
Those numbers are smaller than they used to be. At its peak in 2021, Ascension operated 142 hospitals nationwide, along with 40 long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. The latter remain part of the network; however, the organization has notably divested from hospitals in multiple states as part of an ongoing restructuring.
In 2024, Ascension posted a loss of $1.1 billion. However, financial reports in 2025 show that the decline is waning. By purchasing Amsurg, it opens up a new revenue stream.
To acquire the ambulatory surgery company, Ascension had to navigate multiple buyers. Amsurg was owned by at least three private equity firms—Pacific Investment Management, King Street Capital Management, and Partners Group—all of which held substantial stakes.
The company will become wholly owned by Ascension once the transaction closes in late 2025.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.