Laid up some weeks back with a wicked head cold that turned into debilitating pneumonia, I could do little but rest and reflect. My thoughts did turn, I admit, to the notion of legacy and what mine would be if the pneumonia had its way with me, which, fortunately, it did not.

The idea of building something to last possessed me, and possesses me still. They say the average person is remembered only about 60 years after death — the approximate time it takes for the last person who knew him (or her) to pass on.

How do we build something that will truly outlast us?

We invest in our families, our relationships, and our communities. As ophthalmologists and ophthalmic surgeons, we’ve had opportunities to help so many people by preventing blindness. We’ve mentored and taught. Even so, our accomplishments are ephemeral.

How long will the practices and ASCs that we’ve so painstakingly built last?

Some of us are thinking of retirement, so succession planning is on our minds (see “Succession Is Inevitable,” page 22). Some of us are considering investments from private equity firms (See “Private Equity Acquisition and ASCs, Part 1,” page 26). Some of us are strategizing about how to position our centers to weather changes in reimbursement, regulations, and requirements.

It occurred to me that one of the best ways we can build something to last is by investing in something bigger than ourselves. For the ophthalmic ASC, that something is OOSS — the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society.

OOSS exists to support the ophthalmic ASC industry by representing its interests in Washington, working with CMS on regulation and reimbursement, and by ensuring the rights of physicians to own surgical facilities. There is strength in numbers; by investing in OOSS, we’re investing in the future of outpatient ophthalmic surgery.

The other side of the OOSS coin is that OOSS invests in us by providing the tools, resources, and expert advice that help us build and grow our own surgery centers.

Invest in OOSS to ensure a brighter future for the ophthalmic ASC industry, and take advantage of OOSS member benefits to ensure that you’re doing all you can to build your own ASC to last. That’s pretty straightforward — and enough to set my fevered mind at ease, at least for the moment.

In this issue, along with articles on succession planning and private equity, you’ll find helpful information on how to make smart hiring decisions (page 12) and find the right EMR system for your center (page 16), and learn about the latest advances in cataract surgery technology (page 7). We hope you’ll enjoy this issue and find some bricks to use as you build your practice or ASC to last. ■