
USACS NEWS
USACS shares news and information that keep you informed and demonstrate our commitment to efficiency and improved patient care and outcomes. A USACS representative is available for media inquiries.
Press Release
Mar 5, 2021

US Acute Care Solutions Physician-Owners Complete Transaction to Buy Out Private Equity Partner
CANTON, OHIO, March 5, 2021 - US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today announced its physician-owners have closed on the transaction to fully buy out minority capital partner Welsh, Carson, Anderson Stowe (WCAS). “Physician ownership matters,” said USACS Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dominic J. Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM. “WCAS was a strong and reliable partner that helped build the platform upon which we intend to continue growing. And this next chapter of our history, in which our physician colleagues and our health system partners have full ownership, promises to be one marked by extraordinary opportunity for growth, innovation and industry leadership. We’re the perfect home for any physician who values what we value: long-term physician ownership and a singular focus on patient care.” James Frary, USACS Chief Executive Officer, said, “This is a major accomplishment for the physicians, APPs and non-clinical employees of USACS. Prior to and throughout the pandemic, our group has continuously improved our operations and demonstrated resilience. To have emerged stronger culturally, financially and strategically in 2021 is a testament to each and every member of the group focusing on our mission:To care for patients. This physician buy-out gives me great confidence in our ability to meet any challenge and reflects our ambitious plans for the future.” About USACS Founded by 15 emergency medicine and hospitalist physician groups across the country, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and critical care services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 6 million patients annually across more than 260 programs and is aligned with leading health systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Dec 15, 2020

USACS Expands National Clinical Governance Board; Elects Drs. Jennifer Bradstreet and Michael Roshon
CANTON, Ohio, December 15, 2020 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today announced its physician shareholders have elected Jennifer Bradstreet, MD, FACEP and Michael Roshon, MD to serve a term as directors on the USACS National Clinical Governance Board (NCGB). The USACS NCGB is unique in the acute unscheduled healthcare industry. The NCGB is chartered by the group’s board of directors to be independent and autonomous of the company’s board, is comprised solely of physicians and is tasked with all clinical governance issues facing the group including establishing evidence-based guidelines for patient care at all hospitals served by USACS. The NCGB is comprised of regional physician representatives and was recently expanded to include national, at-large positions. Drs. Bradstreet and Roshon were elected to the national directorships. Joan Kolodzik, MD, FACEP, who will serve as NCBG Chair beginning in January 2021, said, “There are few things so sacred to physicians than the opportunity to practice in a group that places its clinical mission at the center of all its decisions. The NCGB is an obvious example of that commitment at USACS, and Drs. Bradstreet and Roshon completely embody that mission.” Dr. Bradstreet said, “It’s an honor to be elected by my peers to represent the national interests of USACS physicians on the NCBG. A physician’s instinct is made stronger and better by providing evidence-based guidelines developed by our Board, and it remains my mission to ever-improve these tools.” Dr. Bradstreet is a Vice President in the USACS South Region, and she practices clinically at hospitals in the Baptist Health System in San Antonio. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology from New York University and attended Temple University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at Drexel University and is a graduate of the USACS Scholars Program. Dr. Roshon said, “As a quality director, I know reducing variability in care is a critical step in improving safety, and ultimately outcomes, for our patients. I am humbled by the support of my colleagues to continue this work on a national level.” Dr. Roshon is the Quality Director at Penrose-St. Francis Health System in Colorado Springs. He earned his MD and PhD Degrees from Vanderbilt University, and completed his residency in emergency medicine at Carolinas Medical Center. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine physician groups in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Ohio and Texas, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist, critical care and observation services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 6 million patients annually at more than 220 locations and is aligned with leading hospital systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Oct 29, 2020

Dr. Arvind Venkat Elected To Board of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP
The American College of Emergency Physicians elected four new members to its national board of directors on Sunday, including Arvind Venkat, MD, FACEP, national director of research for US Acute Care Solutions. He begins serving his first board term today. Dr. Venkat also is the vice chair for research and faculty academic affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) in Pittsburgh, as well as professor of emergency medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania chapter of ACEP and past chair of the ACEP Ethics Committee. He earned his medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine/University Hospital. As the immediate past president of the Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians, Dr. Venkat represented both that organization and AHN as a spokesperson to media outlets throughout the greater Pittsburgh area and beyond to educate the public about the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking of his election, Dr. Venkat said, “I am truly honored to be elected to the ACEP Board of Directors. In these extraordinary times, when our nearly 40,000 member emergency physicians are on the frontlines of the pandemic, I will try to be worthy of their everyday heroism and an effective voice for our members and patients.” About USACS Founded by emergency medicine physician groups in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Ohio and Texas, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and observation services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 6 million patients annually at more than 220 locations and is aligned with leading hospital systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Oct 13, 2020

USACS Now Sole System Solution for Adventist HealthCare MD as GWEP joins USACS
USACS NOW SOLE SYSTEM SOLUTION FOR ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE MARYLAND AS GWEP JOINS USACS CANTON, Ohio, October 13, 2020 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) announced today that the Greater Washington Emergency Physicians (GWEP) physicians, who provide emergency services at Adventist HealthCare (AHC) Fort Washington Medical Center, have elected to join USACS. Additionally, beginning in November, USACS will begin providing hospitalist andcritical care servicesat AHC Fort Washington Medical Center, thus becoming the sole Integrated Acute Care (IAC) system solution to all three AHC hospitals in Maryland. “We’re proud to partner with Adventist HealthCare and Fort Washington Medical Center to deliver top tier healthcare throughout the region,” said President of USACS East, Dr. Aaron Snyder, MD, FACEP. “We’ve been a system partner for 24 years and it’s an honor to continue serving the greater Washington D.C. and Maryland communities.” Adventist HealthCare, established in 1907, has a mission of working together each day to improve the health and well-being of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental, and spiritual healing. “We at AHC are pleased to have USACS join the medical staff at Fort Washington Medical Center,” said John Sackett, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Adventist HealthCare. “They are bringing their commitment to world class quality and service to FWMC just as they have done for our other two hospitals.” “As the newest entity of the Adventist HealthCare system, we [Fort Washington Medical Center] are undergoing rapid expansion,” added Eunmee Shim, President of AHC Fort Washington Medical Center and AHC Ambulatory Networks. “Adoption of this integrated acute care model is critical to refining our services to meet the healthcare needs of our patients. We are excited to continue our journey of providing high-quality, compassionate care to every patient, every time.” The USACS model of Integrated Acute Care builds on the USACS commitment to physician ownership by creating a single, accountable team of physician leaders responsible for continual improvement of patient care throughout the patient's stay, from entrance into theemergencydepartment until discharge, and even beyond. The model has led to improvements in key quality metrics, particularly thoserelated to patient experience. Karen Dixon, MD, is a new medical director for USACS, but she has served Fort Washington Medical Center for 15 years. “I’m thrilled to start a new chapter of growth and expansion of care for my Fort Washington community,” said Dr. Dixon.“And we’re especially excited to partner with the largest physician-owned group in the country. Physician ownership matters, and allows us to do the right thing for our patients.” About USACS Founded by emergency medicine physician groups in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Ohio and Texas, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and observation services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 6 million patients annually at more than 220 locations and is aligned with leading hospital systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
Press Release
Sep 10, 2020

Dr. Joan Kolodzik Named Chair-Elect of USACS National Clinical Governance Board
CANTON, Ohio, September 10, 2020 – US Acute Care Solutions (USACS) today announced it has named Joan Kolodzik MD, FACEP, Chair-Elect of its National Clinical Governance Board. Dr. Kolodzik’s term as Chair will begin January 1, 2021. The USACS National Clinical Governance Board (NCGB) is unique in the acute unscheduled healthcare industry. The USACS NCGB is chartered by the group’s board of directors to be independent and autonomous of the company’s board, is comprised solely of physicians and is tasked with all clinical governance issues facing the group. Led by James Augustine MD, FACEP, since its inception in 2015, the NCGB established evidence-based guidelines for patient care at all hospitals served by USACS. Dominic J. Bagnoli, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, Executive Chair of the USACS Board of Directors said, “Because USACS is owned by its physicians, we had the opportunity to structure ourselves with our mission to care for patients at the center of all our decisions. The NCGB is the most obvious example of our commitment to keep clinical decisions separate from business decisions. “Dr. Augustine was the perfect physician leader to form the NCGB in its early years by bringing together the best minds from different independent groups into a coherent and effective board. Dr. Kolodzik will undoubtedly prove to be the right physician leader to further refine and enhance the evidence-based guidelines under which all USACS clinicians practice.” Dr. Augustine said, “There was a time two patients could have completely different care experiences at different hospitals despite presenting with the same complaints and risk factors. Reducing that variability with evidence-based guidelines, developed by the brightest and most dedicated physicians with whom I’ve ever worked, will be a highlight of my career.” Dr. Kolodzik said, “As leaders in a physician-owned practice, we can shape the delivery of care by building the tools to reduce variability, raise quality and reduce risk. In the middle of all those intersecting priorities is better patient care and patient experience. I am humbled and excited to lead the USACS NCGB to support my clinician colleagues and their patients.” Dr. Kolodzik practices clinically at Mercy Health Anderson Hospital in Cincinnati. She is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, and also serves as clinical faculty for the Ohio University Medical School. Dr. Kolodzik earned a master's degree in human anatomy and her medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine, where she also completed her emergency medicine residency. About USACS Founded by emergency medicine physician groups in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Ohio and Texas, USACS is the national leader in physician-owned integrated acute care, including emergency medicine, hospitalist and observation services. USACS provides high-quality care to approximately 6 million patients annually at more than 220 locations and is aligned with leading hospital systems across the country. Visitusacs.comto learn more. ### Media Contact Marty Richmond Corporate Communications Department US Acute Care Solutions 330.493.4443 x1406 [email protected]
General News
Aug 26, 2020

Dr. James Augustine Recognized for Service to International Association of Fire Chiefs
Canton, Ohio, August 26, 2020 –US Acute Care Solutions today announced that The International Association of Fire Chiefs President Gary Ludwig selected Dr. James Augustine as one of this year’s recipients of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ President’s Recognition Award, recognizing him as one who has contributed in a significant way during the president’s term. “I am very blessed to spend my career in a specialty designed around patient needs, and lucky to be a part of transforming that care throughout my lifetime,” said Dr. Augustine, who has been working with fire and EMS services since medical school. “I’m honored to receive this award.” James Augustine, MD, FACEP, chairs the USACS National Clinical Governance Board. He is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a fellow in the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). He recently concluded his second term on the ACEP Board of Directors, where he was honored for his work at the 2019 conference for his lifetime of service. In addition, he has been a member of national groups and organizations overseeing emergency medical services, emergency service quality improvement, benchmarking and best practices and disaster preparation. Dr. Augustine earned his bachelor’s degree with cum laude honors from The Ohio State University, and his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine. He performed an integrated residency in emergency medicine at Wright State University School of Medicine. He continues to serve as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wright State University. He has been married to Linda Augustine, a critical care nurse, for more than 30 years, and they have three grown children. Dr. Augustine is a medical director for Fire EMS agencies in Atlanta, Georgia; Naples, Florida and Dayton, Ohio. The International Association of Fire Chiefs represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide; their members are the world’s most leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety policy.
Press Release
Jul 1, 2020

Managing Pediatric Hospitalist Services at Adventist Health White Memorial
Concord, CA (July 1, 2020)– VEP Healthcare Inc., (Operating as US Acute Care Solutions as of June 2021) a national leader in hospital-based management services, will provide pediatric hospitalist staffing and management services at Adventist Health White Memorial (AHWM) beginning July 1. Pediatric hospitalist services are an addition to the current emergency department management services at AHWM. The expanded partnership furthers the shared goal to provide high-quality health care to the East Los Angeles community. Pediatric hospitalist programs ensure that hospitalized children have a seamless inpatient and outpatient care journey. They will collaborate closely with AHWM to deliver coordinated pediatric patient care. The group's pediatric hospitalist services leverage multispecialty teams to enable timely and thorough communication between hospitalist physicians and outpatient physicians such as primary care physicians and any involved subspecialists. “We’re honored to expand our partnership with VEP as an integral part of our ongoing mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality health care services to the East Los Angeles community,” said John Raffoul, president of Adventist Health White Memorial. “Pediatric care is an integral part of our mission to deliver quality care to those in need,” states Steven Maron, MD, President of USACS West Region. “The group offers unparalleled expertise when it comes to pediatric hospitalist program management. We are pleased to bring our pediatric care resources and experience to AHWM and the Los Angeles community.” About Adventist Health White Memorial Adventist Health White Memorial (AHWM) is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. Our workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees, nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians, and 4,350 volunteers. AHWM is the only private, nonprofit hospital providing comprehensive care for the federally designated medically underserved area of Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. AHWM is also a teaching hospital that is widely recognized for producing a culturally competent, diverse workforce in the primary care disciplines of family medicine, internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology, as well as nursing, pharmacy, and podiatry.