Mentors share real-world experience and help participants build the skills and confidence needed to succeed, while also strengthening their own leadership abilities and expanding their professional networks. Mentees gain valuable insights, learn best practices and connect with administrators from across the country.
ASC Focus talked to a few mentees about their experiences with the program and below is an excerpt from an interview with Michael DeGuire, administrative director of Southwest Surgical Center in Byron Center, Michigan, who was part of the spring 2025 cohort.
Q
Why did you decide to join the ASC Administrator Development Program?
Michael DeGuire (MD): One of my mentors, who has spent over 30 years in ASC leadership, recommended the program as an excellent way to quickly build a well-rounded understanding of the many hats an administrator must wear to effectively lead an organization. After reviewing the agenda, I was confident the content justified the time commitment — and I’m glad I made the investment.
Q
What did you get from the program?
MD: Professionally, I received an accelerated program that deepened my understanding on topics such as governance, federal regulations, credentialing and so much more. Even in the areas I considered myself competent, I was able to pick up some tips and tricks, such as how to improve case-costing accuracy for financial analysis. Going through this program also introduced me to tools and resources that I had not made use of before. Personally, it exposed me to leaders with a wealth of knowledge whom I still reach out to when unique scenarios arise. The ASC world is quite collaborative and folks are always willing to share their experience.
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Q
How do you plan to use what you learned from the program?
MD: I have already put many of the program elements into practice. For example, I applied the best practices from the credentialing module to our current credentialing and privileging workflows to ensure alignment with industry standards. Similarly, I benchmarked our board reports against the guidance from the governance section and made meaningful improvements to increase engagement and ensure we are meeting expectations. I plan to continue revisiting the materials as our organization grows.
Q
Tell me about yourself.
MD: I earned an undergraduate degree in healthcare administration from Saint Louis University and a graduate degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. My career began on the inpatient side of healthcare operations following the completion of an administrative fellowship, and I was fortunate to move into a business and strategy role supporting surgical services at Advocate Health in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and I knew I wanted to eventually land in a leadership role where I could drive positive change — delivering an exceptional patient experience while building a strong, sustainable organization. When the opportunity came up to join Southwest Surgical Center, it felt like the perfect fit. The staff and surgeons here are truly top-notch, and we take a great deal of pride in the work we do. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of it.
Q
Is there anything else you’d like to add about the program?
MD: The program is likely best suited for newer administrators, but I believe anyone in the role could benefit, even as a refresher on foundational topics. One highlight for me was the monthly discussions with an experienced mentor, which created a great venue for working through both the coursework and whatever was top of mind in the day-to-day.