On the Brink

About On the Brink

The podcast helping physicians shape their ASC journey with clarity and confidence.

Publisher

NexCore Group

Category

business · business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Nov 2025

Latest episode

10 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Feb 2026

   On the Brink of a Business Plan

   As we wrap up the first season of the podcast, it’s worth reflecting on the ground we’ve covered. We’ve dug into the forces reshaping surgical practice—how patient expectations are evolving alongside the push toward outpatient care, and what that means for how surgeons deliver services. We’ve also tackled the harder conversations about reimbursement pressures and provider burnout, issues that threaten the long-term sustainability of healthcare in communities across the country. Today we’re looking forward. Our guest is Greg Venn, CEO of Nexcore, who has spent more than 25 years working in healthcare real estate. He’s seen firsthand how the physical infrastructure of healthcare has evolved and has a clear perspective on where things are headed. His experience spans the development and investment side of the industry, giving him a unique vantage point on the decisions that will shape surgical practices for years to come. In this conversation, we’re focused on giving surgeons the insight they need to navigate what’s next—particularly when it comes to ambulatory surgical centers. As ASCs continue to grow in importance, understanding the real estate and investment landscape behind them becomes essential. Greg’s perspective will help connect the dots between infrastructure trends and the practical realities of running a surgical practice in the decade ahead.

2. 

   26 Jan 2026

   On the Brink of the Future of ASCs

   Declining reimbursements and rising costs have left many surgeons searching for strategies to secure their practice’s future. In this episode, we explore why real estate investment has become an essential component of financial planning for surgical practices, not a peripheral consideration. Dr. David Mack, an orthopedic surgeon with decades of experience in both medicine and real estate, shares his journey from small practice to thriving multi-physician establishment. He offers candid insights on what it takes to move from tenant to owner, including developing a clear vision that goes beyond aesthetics to encompass clinical workflows and long-term goals. He also addresses the real challenge of building consensus among physician partners. The through-line: surgeons possess expertise that translates well to evaluating real estate opportunities. With trusted advisors and a proactive mindset, physicians can move beyond perpetual rental arrangements toward ownership models that strengthen their finances and their ability to deliver exceptional care.

3. 

   12 Jan 2026

   On the Brink of Belief

   Dr. Eric Haas has spent his career at the forefront of colon and rectal surgery, but his ambitions extend beyond the operating room. As founder and president of the Houston Colon and Rectal Surgical Group, he recognized that leasing clinical space came with limitations—for his practice and his patients. That realization sparked a journey into healthcare real estate development that would reshape how he delivers care. In this episode, Dr. Haas walks Carolyn through building a purpose-built facility designed to bring specialists together under one roof. His vision centers on collaboration: surgical and gastroenterological services working in concert, creating a seamless experience for patients who often navigate fragmented care. It’s an approach reflecting a broader shift in healthcare, where integration is producing better outcomes. But vision alone doesn’t build buildings. Dr. Haas opens up about the practical realities: finding the right land, aligning with partners who understand healthcare development, and navigating a process most clinicians never encounter. His story is inspiration and instruction for any physician considering a similar path.

4. 

   16 Dec 2025

   On The Brink of Designing Your ASC

   Episode 6: On The Brink of Designing your ASC Guest: Drew Garst, Principal & National Healthcare Leader of ASCs, Boulder Associates Drew has designed 400+ surgery centers across the country. He's seen what works—and what tanks a project before construction even starts. Your architect choice matters more than you think. ASC design is its own animal, and getting it wrong costs you time, money, and headaches. Most surgeons overestimate their OR size. Drew shares how mockups saved one project 120 square feet per room—with zero loss of functionality. We also dig into the equipment trap: delay those decisions and you'll pay the price in change orders and construction delays. Smart developers build in "soft spaces" from day one—strategically positioned areas that can expand naturally as your practice grows. And if you're thinking any healthcare architect will do, think again. Hospital design and ASC design are fundamentally different disciplines, and the nuances matter. The bottom line: start with vision, not square footage. The right partner asks what outcomes you want before drawing a single line.

5. 

   1 Dec 2025

   On the Brink of a Blueprint

   Planning a medical facility or ambulatory surgery center isn’t just about picking a floor plan—it’s about orchestrating a complex collaboration between healthcare providers, architects, and contractors to avoid costly mistakes down the road. In this episode, we’re joined by Steve Christoff, Senior Vice President of Design and Innovation at Nexcore, who brings decades of experience designing outpatient centers that actually work for the people using them. Steve breaks down why the most successful medical facilities start with a clear understanding of desired outcomes. What are you really trying to achieve? Once you answer that question, everything else—from layout to workflow to technology integration—falls into place. But here’s the catch: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Steve explains why cookie-cutter designs often miss the mark, and how tailoring facilities to the unique needs of each healthcare provider and patient population leads to better outcomes and greater efficiency. We also explore the importance of thinking ahead. Healthcare is rapidly shifting from inpatient to outpatient settings, and your facility needs to evolve with it. Steve discusses how smart design creates flexible spaces that can adapt to future clinical innovations without requiring expensive renovations. Throughout the conversation, we dive into key performance indicators that separate truly effective facilities from those that just look good on paper. If you’re planning a medical facility or simply want to understand what separates great healthcare spaces from mediocre ones, this episode reveals the strategic thinking that drives real results.

6. 

   17 Nov 2025

   On the Brink of Funding

   Host Carolyn Wilson sits down with Michael Ray, Chief Investment Officer at Nexcore, to break down the financial side of investing in medical real estate and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). Being an exceptional surgeon doesn’t make you a funding expert—and that’s okay. Michael translates complex financial concepts into actionable insights, helping healthcare providers understand their capital options, from outright ownership to investment syndicates. The key takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and you have more choices than you think. But securing funding isn’t just about numbers—investors want to hear your story, vision, and the impact your project will have. Collaborate with financial experts, explore your options, and think long-term. This episode gives clinicians the confidence to turn financial complexity into strategic opportunity.

7. 

   3 Nov 2025

   On the Brink of a Movement

   What really matters to patients when they’re choosing where to have surgery? In our inaugural episode, host Carolyn Wilson sits down with patient Ashley Davidson to explore this crucial question that every surgeon should be asking. Ashley shares her firsthand experience navigating surgical decisions, revealing how trust, personal connections, and facility environment shaped her choices. Her story highlights a truth that many surgeons overlook: clinical excellence isn’t enough. Patients need facilities that feel clean, safe, and reassuring—expectations that have only intensified since COVID. This conversation is a wake-up call for the surgical community. Carolyn and Ashley discuss why understanding the patient perspective is essential for building trust, improving outcomes, and creating spaces where patients feel confident in their care. If you’re a surgeon looking to strengthen your practice or simply curious about what patients really think when facing surgery, this episode offers eye-opening insights you can act on.

8. 

   3 Nov 2025

   On the Brink of a Big Decision

   Should surgeons be thinking like investors? In this episode, we tackle the financial realities reshaping surgical practice—and why physician ownership might be your best survival strategy. Reimbursement rates are under pressure, costs are climbing, and traditional practice models are struggling. Our guest (NexCore President Jarrod Daddis) breaks down what surgeons need to know about entering real estate and ASC investments, from understanding market dynamics to building reliable referral patterns. The key insight? Third-party developers can bridge the gap between physicians and health systems, creating alignment that benefits everyone—better economics, improved sustainability, and better patient care. This episode challenges surgeons to move beyond clinical excellence and embrace a proactive investment mindset. Your expertise in healthcare delivery is valuable—here’s how to leverage it to build a more resilient financial foundation. If you’re feeling the squeeze of changing healthcare economics or curious about physician ownership models, this conversation offers practical guidance for taking control of your practice’s future.

9. 

   3 Nov 2025

   On the Brink of a Macroeconomic Shift

   Why are so many healthcare providers reaching their breaking point? This episode confronts three critical forces reshaping medical practice today: provider burnout, the rapid rise of AI and technology, and the growing challenge of workforce engagement. NexCore VP of Investment Research Jeremy Allen unpacks how these trends are interconnected, threatening the sustainability of healthcare delivery. Provider burnout is creating a shortage crisis that affects entire communities. Meanwhile, technological advances are transforming patient expectations and operational demands faster than many practices can adapt. So how do healthcare professionals survive and thrive in this new landscape? This conversation moves beyond simply recognizing these challenges to exploring actionable strategies for maintaining well-being and professional fulfillment. If you’re feeling the strain of modern healthcare delivery or want to understand where the industry is heading, this episode offers crucial insights for navigating what’s next.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

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