The partnership brings together Fairview’s clinical leadership and community presence with Atlas’ expertise in ambulatory surgery center development and operations
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Fairview and Atlas Healthcare Partners (Atlas) today announced the formation of a new joint venture with the goal of developing and operating a network of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across Minnesota and surrounding regions.
The partnership is designed to address the rapidly growing demand for outpatient care. ASCs are specialized facilities where common surgeries and other outpatient procedures are safely performed without an overnight hospital stay – offering patients a high quality, convenient, cost-effective option with easier scheduling and shorter wait times. As more care moves to outpatient settings, ASCs are an increasingly important part of how health systems deliver accessible, high-quality services close to where patients live.
By combining Fairview’s clinical leadership and deep roots as a Minnesota-based, nonprofit health system with Atlas’ specialized experience in ASC development and operations, the joint venture will strengthen physician alignment, expand patient access, increase capacity and support sustainable growth. Together, the partners are well positioned to respond to the accelerated shift of surgical procedures from inpatient to outpatient settings, while maintaining clinical excellence and operational efficiencies.
Atlas partners with nonprofit health systems to design, develop, and operate coordinated ambulatory surgery center networks by providing the experience, expertise and resources to expand outpatient capacity, strengthen physician alignment, and deliver high-quality, affordable care.
“We are excited to partner with Fairview and physicians to deliver high quality ASC care to the people of Minnesota and neighboring areas. Atlas’ mission is to provide exceptional care and outstanding customer service to every patient and every physician, which supports and complements Fairview’s mission to heal, discover and educate for longer, healthier lives,” said Aric Burke, President and CEO of Atlas.
As a community-based, nonprofit health system, Fairview serves people across the full continuum of care and at every stage of life. This integrated care model creates a deep understanding of how to serve patients as their health needs evolve. Ambulatory care is a critical part of that continuum, and this new partnership paves the way for Fairview and its partners to grow these services across the region.
“Getting patients the right care, in the right place, at the right time has always been at the center of what we do. Ambulatory surgery centers are an increasingly important part of how we make that happen,” said James Hereford, President and CEO of Fairview. We want Fairview to be the place patients choose for their care – and where physicians and advanced practice providers want to practice. Atlas shares that commitment, and together we are able to advance exceptional care and strong ambulatory operations across Minnesota and surrounding regions.”
About Fairview Health Services
Fairview Health Services (fairview.org) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit health system driven to heal, discover and educate for longer, healthier lives. Founded in 1906, Fairview provides exceptional care to patients and communities as one of the most comprehensive and geographically accessible systems in Minnesota. Fairview has enjoyed a long partnership with the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Physicians, now represented in the M Health Fairview brand. Together, we offer access to breakthrough medical research and specialty expertise as part of a continuum of care that reaches all ages and health needs.
About Atlas Healthcare Partners
Atlas was founded in 2019 to partner with nonprofit health systems and physicians to develop and operate ASCs that provide high-quality, convenient, and affordable care to their communities. Atlas is the exclusive JV ASC partner of Banner Health, MultiCare, Corewell Health, ChristianaCare, Prisma Health, and Fairview Health Services. Through its health system partnerships, Atlas has grown quickly, from zero to 50 ASCs in seven years with ASCs performing over 120,000 annual cases and $500M in annual ASC revenue with over 1,400 employees. Atlas is co-owned by its health system partners and plans to continue forming joint venture partnerships with leading nonprofit health systems across the US to develop and operate a network of ASCs to support their missions in their communities. Additionally, Atlas formed MedAtlas, a joint venture with MedAxiom, to develop and operate cardiovascular ASCs in partnership with health system partners and cardiologists. For more information, visit Atlashp.com, or follow on LinkedIn.
Media Contact for Fairview Health Services
Jill Fischer, Media Relations Manager
Media Contact for Atlas Healthcare Partners
Kyle Scheuring, Communications Program Manager
