Walker Surgical Center Joins Great Lakes Management Services Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Rapids, Mich., November 20, 2017 – Great Lakes Management Services Organization (MSO) is pleased to announce the addition of Walker Surgical Center, located on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, to its growing commitment to providing patients unsurpassed surgical care. Walker Surgical Center began in 2007 and employs 40 full- and part-time staff. There are three operating rooms where nearly 5,000 surgical procedures are performed every year by the 23 surgeons who utilize the facility.

“The quality of the surgical care and the outstanding customer service provided at Walker Surgical Center were the key things that made us want to pursue partnership,” said Bill Hughson, CEO of Great Lakes MSO. “Outpatient surgical centers offer many benefits to patients, including convenience, accessibility, and quality of care.”

Walker Surgical Center is fully accredited by both AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care) and CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and fully licensed by the state of Michigan. Walker Surgical Center serves pediatrics and adults with eye, plastic, hand, and upper and lower extremity surgical procedures. There are nine board-certified foot and ankle surgeons; six board-certified orthopaedic and plastic surgeons who perform hand, upper, and lower extremity surgical procedures; seven ophthalmic surgeons who perform procedures such as oculoplastics, eye muscle and glaucoma surgery; and one credentialed specialist performing vein surgery.

“We have been involved with Walker Surgical Center from the beginning 11 years ago,” said Dr. Patrick Meyer of Foot & Ankle Specialists and Walker Surgical Center’s Medical Director. “It is the premier location for lower extremity surgery in the West Michigan area. Offering safe, cost-effective surgical treatment for our patients. My partners and I welcome this new relationship with Great Lakes MSO to assist us in providing the highest level of care to our patients.”

About Great Lakes Management Services Organization
Sterling Partners formed Great Lakes Management Services Organization (MSO) in February 2017 as a practice management services organization. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology partnered with the MSO to pursue growth opportunities, evolve clinical capabilities to better serve its patients, and to form strategic partnerships within industries related to eye care. If you are interested in learning more about a partnership with Great Lakes MSO, contact Dan Hosler at dhosler@seeitclear.com.

About Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Founded in 1982, Grand Rapids Ophthalmology (GRO) is the largest fully-integrated eye care medical group in West Michigan. It offers a full suite of eye care services from routine eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, to the most advanced medical and surgical treatments such as LASIK, cataract, cornea, retina, glaucoma, oculoplastics, pediatric, and both cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery. GRO employs the largest number of eye care specialists and professionals in the region: 11 ophthalmologists, 19 optometrists, and 40 certified opticians. GRO has a total of 400 employees at 12 locations throughout West Michigan. For more information, visit: www.seeitclear.com.

About Foot & Ankle Specialists of West Michigan
Since our formation in 1999, we have worked to make a difference in the lives of our patients and in the field of podiatry. Foot and Ankle Specialists provide excellent podiatric services to patients of any age. We believe in the importance of delivering expert medical and surgical care with integrity and compassion. Each of our patients is highly valued, receiving the professional, personalized care they need. Our physicians diagnose and treat all foot and ankle diseases and injuries. They perform multiple surgical procedures at Walker Surgical Center and at the various hospitals in the West Michigan area. For more information, visit: www.footandankledoctors.com.

About Sterling Partners
Sterling Partners is a private equity firm with a distinct point of view on how to build great companies. Founded in 1983, Sterling is guided by its stated purpose, INSPIRED GROWTH®, which describes Sterling’s approach to investing in differentiated businesses and growing them in inspired ways. Sterling focuses on investing growth capital in middle-market companies in the healthcare services and business services industries. Sterling provides valuable support to the management teams of the companies in which the firm invests through a deep and dedicated team of professionals, including a strong network of outside directors and advisors. The people at Sterling believe in ideas and ideals, in people and in partnerships that drive long-term success. For more information, visit: www.sterlingpartners.com.