09/10/2025
CASA Annual Business Meeting Highlights Leadership, Legacy, and a Vision for the Future
Meet Your CASA Board
Tersa Lech, Beth LaBouyer, Karen Reiter, Carrie Millsap, Oren Shill
The Annual CASA Business Meeting took place on September 4, 2024, bringing together key leaders to reflect on the past year and chart a course for the future. President Oren Shill, President-Elect Carrie Millsap, Treasurer Tersa Lech, Executive Director Beth LaBouyer, and Incoming Executive Director Karen Reiter led the discussion, covering CASA’s membership, financial health, and organizational activities.
A heartfelt moment came as Beth LaBouyer was honored for her remarkable 20 years of service as Executive Director. As she prepares for retirement, Beth shared reflections on her journey, expressing deep pride in her role and the ASC community she’s helped shape. “It’s been an incredible privilege to be part of this journey,” she said, “and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
Stepping into the role, Karen Reiter outlined her strategic priorities with clarity and passion:
- Advocacy: Strengthening CASA’s position as the trusted voice for ASCs, ensuring policymakers recognize the value and impact of our field.
- Community: Deepening member engagement by creating more opportunities to connect, learn, and share best practices.
- Visibility: Elevating public awareness of the essential role ASCs play in healthcare—making sure our story is heard not only in Sacramento, but in every community we serve.
Beth closed the session with a call to action for members: “This is the perfect time to re-engage. Whether it’s joining a committee, mentoring someone new, or simply making a connection with someone you haven’t met yet—those relationships are the heartbeat of CASA. This association has always been about collaboration, and I’m confident that with Karen and the Board’s guidance—and your energy—we’re going to keep building momentum.”
As CASA moves forward, the meeting served as a powerful reminder of the strength of our community and the exciting path ahead.
Mary Whitmore, Chris Taylor, Stephanie McIntosh, Brad Heaton
The Board elections were also held, and we are pleased to announce your newly elected CASA Board Members.
Brad Heaton, MHA, CASC
Brad Heaton is Chief Executive Officer for Sutter Health’s Surgery Center Division. He began his ASC career in 2010 as administrator of a busy endoscopy center in Northern California, later advancing to administrator of Fort Sutter Surgery Center—one of California’s largest multi-specialty centers, performing nearly 14,000 cases annually. His proven leadership led to his current role overseeing the entire Sutter Surgery Center Division. A former CASA President, Brad brings valuable historical perspective and organizational knowledge to the CASA Board, helping guide the association through recent leadership transitions and toward continued success.
Mary Whitmore, CASC
Mary Whitmore serves as Director, RCM Integrations for Tenet/United Surgical Partners International (USPI), where she oversees due diligence and integration activities for new ASC acquisitions. Previously, she was a Regional Administrator for USPI, responsible for two ASCs in Northern California. Under her leadership, one of these centers earned the inaugural CASA ASC of the Year Award. Mary has been an active CASA member for many years, particularly in grassroots advocacy. She has led multiple ASC tours for state and congressional representatives and has participated in ASC DC fly-ins, encouraging physicians to engage in these vital events. Mary has been a committed Board member and contributes her expertise as a valued member of the CASA Conference Committee.
Stephanie McIntosh, MSN, RN, CAIP, CPHQ
Stephanie McIntosh is the Group Director, Clinical Quality for SCA Health and brings 19 years of diverse ASC experience. Her career has included roles such as Operating Room Nurse, Infection Preventionist, Director of Nursing, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Quality Leader, and Director of Clinical Quality. A Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, she is also a frequent and well-regarded CASA speaker. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Stephanie served as an Army Medic and Combat Lifesaver Instructor. She now channels her commitment to service into advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as chair of the CASA Veterans Committee. Drawing on her extensive frontline ASC experience and passion for education, Stephanie continues to bring valuable insight as a CASA Board member, helping to strengthen the ASC community across California.
Christopher Taylor, CMPE
Christopher Taylor is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 24 years of progressive leadership in medical practice management, ambulatory surgery center operations, and multi-specialty practice administration. He currently serves as Director of Operations for AMSURG surgery centers, overseeing multiple ASCs in Northern California. Before joining AMSURG, Chris held several key physician practice management roles with John Muir Health in Walnut Creek, California. His contributions to CASA include leadership roles on both the Conference Committee and Veterans Committee. Chris looks forward to making an even greater impact for California ASCs as a dedicated CASA Board member.
CASA Award for ASC Excellence
Congratulations again to the 15 ASCs who received the CASA Award for ASC Excellence. Would you like your center to be included among the award winners next year? Now is the perfect time to prepare and begin organizing. Let CASA know your intent to be part of this journey by emailing CASA Executive Director Karen Reiter at kreiter@casurgery.org. Get a head start by watching the ASC Excellence video. We look forward to honoring your center and staff’s incredible work next year