NAMES IN THE NEWS

ASC Veteran Passes Away

JULY 31, 2024

Brent W. Lambert, MD, died on July 24, 2024; he was 85.

Lambert was a former chair and Board member of ASCA, then the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association (FASA), and the principal of Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America (ASCOA). He was an ophthalmologist who owned Lambert Eye Center Inc. in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Lambert, along with Tom Bombardier, MD, and George Violin, MD, founded ASCOA in 1997. The organization develops and manages ASCs throughout the US and has developed, acquired or turned around more than 70 ASCs since 1997. The founding physician-owners, all experts in ASC operations, invested their personal funds to start ASCOA. Today ASCOA operates 14 facilities across the US.

“Dr. Lambert was a friend, mentor and a leader in our industry,” says Gary Richberg, RN, CASC, vice president of ASCA’s Board and chief executive officer of Bellingham Urology Group in Bellingham, Washington. “I could always get his honest insight on ASC-related issues with true candor and humor. I had the pleasure of working with Brent on multiple projects and was inspired by his drive and vision. He will always be remembered as a giant in our industry.”

Lambert received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in American history from Harvard College and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He did his medical internship at the University of California Medical School at San Francisco and the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. He was a teaching fellow at Harvard Medical School and lectured postgraduate courses.

He served as chief of ophthalmology at Keesler Air Force Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, for two years, authored many papers, and went to Kenya as a medical missionary.

Lambert is survived by his wife Christie Whitehead Lambert (m. 2005); children with his wife Katherine Merrill Lambert (m. 1962, d. 2004) Erika Finlayson (Sam), Luke Lambert (Rebecca), Kristin Westergard (Rob), and Rebecca Lambert (Jon Sonne); and Christie Lambert’s children Jeffrey Péo (Delise), Jennifer Powell, Christian Péo (Mandi), and Shannon Sandberg (Sandy); as well as 34 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his brother Richard Lambert (Mary) and numerous nephews, a niece, cousins and their families.

Funeral services will be held at noon on August 8, 2024, in the Chapel at 110 Social Hall Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights, Utah; for those interested in joining remotely: https://zoom.us/j/97041294713. Visitation hours will be at 110 Social Hall Avenue from 6–8 pm on August 7 and again on August 8 from 10:30–noon.