Celebrating the Surgery Centers and Leaders Paving the Path to Excellence
Each year, the HST Pathways Client Awards honor ambulatory surgery centers and leaders that embody excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact across the ASC community. Winners are selected from both nominations and data-driven evaluations, with a cross-functional panel of HST employees reviewing submissions to determine the winners. We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s honorees.
Administrator of the Year
Heidi Rillstone
Connecticut Orthopaedic Surgery Center
This award honors an ASC administrator whose leadership, vision, and commitment to people set a standard for the entire community.
This year’s honoree, Heidi Rillstone, is celebrated by her team for her exceptional ability to align operations, clinical excellence, and culture at Connecticut Orthopaedic Surgery Center. She has elevated communication, strengthened compliance and policy frameworks, and championed a workplace where staff feel supported, heard, and empowered to do their best work. Colleagues describe her as a leader who leads from the front — equally at ease in strategic discussions and day-to-day problem-solving. Heidi’s impact is felt in every corner of the center, from patient experience to team morale.
Superior Operational Excellence
OrthoSouth Surgery Center Germantown
This award recognizes a surgery center that demonstrates superior operational efficiency — excelling in managing resources, optimizing schedules, and keeping every aspect of the operation running smoothly to support better patient experiences and outcomes.
OrthoSouth Surgery Center Germantown rose to the top based on 12 months of HST Practice Management and HST eChart data, including weighted metrics such as OR block utilization, case cancellation rate, claim denial rate, deposit collection rate, and days to bill. Their performance reflects a meticulous, data-driven approach to both clinical and revenue cycle operations. The OrthoSouth Germantown team consistently turns complex workflows into a seamless experience for patients, surgeons, and staff. This award celebrates their ability to pair outstanding efficiency with high-quality care.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Ortho Rhode Island Orthopedic Surgery Center
This award recognizes a surgery center that actively engages with HST University, the HST Community Portal, and our educational webinars to stay at the forefront of industry knowledge and continuously enhance operations and patient care.
Ortho Rhode Island Orthopedic Surgery Center stood out based on 12 months of education and engagement activity, demonstrating consistent participation across product training, community resources, and live or on-demand education. Their team doesn’t just attend sessions — they apply what they learn to refine workflows, strengthen communication, and elevate the patient experience. This center exemplifies a true learning culture, where curiosity and continuous improvement are woven into daily operations.
Innovator of the Year
Airway Outpatient Surgical Center
This award recognizes an ASC that embraces cutting-edge practices and technology to redefine what’s possible in outpatient care.
Airway Outpatient Surgical Center is a technology-forward, fully integrated HST facility built from the ground up to deliver next-generation surgical care. Led by Dr. David Alfi, the center pairs advanced digital workflows with highly specialized orthognathic jaw and airway procedures, including a refined, life-changing airway surgery that can be completed in approximately one hour. Their model showcases how thoughtful design, data, and innovation can expand access while maintaining extraordinary precision and quality. Airway is a standout example of where the ASC industry is headed.
Positive Community Impact
Pacific Vision Surgery Center
This award honors a surgery center that creates meaningful, lasting benefits for its community through outreach, access, and service.
Pacific Vision Surgery Center is recognized for its deep commitment to improving health equity in eye care. Guided by the belief that vision is a basic human right, the center collaborates with physicians, resident programs, and community partners to provide exceptional care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Their work breaks down financial and access barriers, bringing sight-saving procedures to patients who might otherwise go without. The impact of their mission extends far beyond the OR, touching individuals, families, and the community at large.
Together, these winners reflect the best of what’s possible in the ASC community: data-driven excellence, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to patients and teams. We’re grateful to partner with organizations and leaders doing this level of work every day, often behind the scenes. Congratulations again to all of our 2025 HST Client Award recipients — and to every center that submitted a nomination — for all you do to move our industry forward.