Jason Guagenti Joins Central Ohio Urology Group as Chief Operating Officer

Jason Guagenti has been named Chief Operating Officer of Central Ohio Urology Group, the region’s leading provider of comprehensive urological services, including general urology, men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced cancer treatment and radiation oncology.

With more than two decades of experience managing healthcare provider organizations, Guagenti will lead the operations of Central Ohio Urology Group’s growing clinical network of 15 offices which offers more than 50 specialties and subspecialties. Facilities in the Columbus area include the Advanced Prostate Cancer Clinic and the recently announced Robotic Surgery Institute at Central Ohio Urology Surgery Center, one of the first ambulatory surgery centers in the nation to provide robotic surgery.

Corina Tracy, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Urology Partners, the parent company of Central Ohio Urology Group, stated, “We are delighted that Jason Guagenti is bringing his extensive experience in operations and focus on patient satisfaction to Central Ohio Urology Group. His skillset and knowledge will further elevate the patient experience while enhancing the workplace environment for our talented team.”

“I am honored to join the Central Ohio Urology Group team, which is renowned in the region for its advanced level of technology and care,” said Jason Guagenti, Chief Operating Officer of Central Ohio Urology Group. “The convenient locations and compassionate, understanding staff have made the practice a valuable resource for patients who are dealing with urological issues. When you combine that with the commitment the organization has made to invest in advanced treatments and technologies and conduct world-class research, it’s no wonder that Central Ohio Urology Group is increasingly recognized as an innovative leader in the field of urology.”

To learn more about Jason Guagenti or to schedule an appointment with the Central Ohio Urology Group care team, please visit www.centralohiourology.com or call (614) 396-2684.

About Jason Guagenti

During his 20 years of healthcare industry leadership, Jason Guagenti was most recently with Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates as practice leader for a group of more than 120 radiologists serving 35 hospital and 100 non-hospital organizations throughout Ohio and Iowa. His background includes years of experience in the OhioHealth system, most recently at OhioHealth Corporate as Senior System Director of Food and Nutrition, with responsibility for all 10 OhioHealth hospitals and many of the ancillary food and nutrition locations throughout the system.

During his tenure at OhioHealth, Guagenti was part of select group invited to participate in EXCEL, a leadership development program for rising executives. Guagenti previously served as Senior Director of Operations at Dublin Methodist Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital where he had direct leadership responsibility for Surgical Services and Endoscopy, and indirect leadership of all of the Support Services at these two campuses. Guagenti created an Innovation Pathway for associates and physicians at both hospitals to bring forth creative ideas and develop them. He was also previously the Director of Radiology at Riverside Methodist Hospital and chaired the OhioHealth Radiation Safety and Quality Committee focused on standardizing and improving quality in radiology throughout the system. He also served on the steering committee for the Neuroscience Center addition at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Guagenti began his career as a radiologic technologist at Riverside Methodist Hospital and held various management positions there before being promoted to Director at Grady Memorial Hospital, also part of the OhioHealth system. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Guagenti received a bachelor’s degree in Allied Medicine. Guagenti also earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University. He is a member in the American Society of Radiology Technologists and Association for Medical Imaging Management. Guagenti is a featured speaker at national conferences on topics such as influencing people and process improvement centered on associate and patient satisfaction.

About Central Ohio Urology Group

Central Ohio Urology Group is one of the nation’s leading providers of urological services with a network of 15 offices in the region. Headquartered just outside of Columbus in Gahanna, Ohio, Central Ohio Urology Group provides comprehensive services, including general urology, men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced cancer treatment and radiation oncology. Facilities in the Columbus area include an Advanced Prostate Cancer Clinic, as well as the state-of-the-art Central Ohio Urology Surgery Center that is one of the first ambulatory surgery centers in the country to offer robotic surgery. Central Ohio Urology Group’s experienced care team provides more than 50 urological specialties and subspecialties. Central Ohio Urology Group is an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners, one of the largest independent providers of urological and related specialty services in the nation, which is backed by NMS Capital. For more information, visit www.centralohiourology.com and www.us-uro.com.

U.S. Urology Partners Names Corina Tracy as Chief Executive Officer

U.S. Urology Partners, one of the nation’s largest independent providers of urology and related specialty services, today announced that Corina Tracy will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2022.

U.S. Urology Partners was formed in 2018 to support urology practices with an experienced team of healthcare executives and resources, and is backed by NMS Capital. The rapidly growing U.S. Urology Partners clinical network consists of 24 offices in Ohio and Upstate New York through partner practices Central Ohio Urology Group and Associated Medical Professionals of NY.

Corina Tracy’s background includes nearly two decades with post-acute provider Compassus, where she was integral in growing the business from 20 locations to nearly 200 locations in 30 states. Tracy joined U.S. Urology Partners in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer. Mark Cherney, who has been serving as Chief Executive Officer since the founding of U.S. Urology Partners, will remain actively involved as Executive Chairman.

Mark Cherney, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Urology Partners, stated, “It has been both a privilege and honor to serve as the founding CEO of U.S. Urology Partners. During the past four years, we have experienced many positive changes in both our Central Ohio and Upstate New York operations. As Executive Chairman, I will primarily be involved in strategy and development with a focus in support of Corina Tracy’s vision for growth in an ever-changing urology market. I couldn’t be more pleased to support Corina as the future generation leader and innovator for years to come.”

Corina Tracy  stated, “It has been a pleasure to work with the U.S. Urology Partners team, and I look forward to fulfilling our mission of supporting urology practices in providing optimal care to their patients. The ability to share best practices and optimize operations through the involvement of a partner like U.S. Urology Partners is a tremendous advantage during this time of increasingly complex healthcare regulations, rapidly advancing technologies and heightened consumer expectations.”

During her almost 20-year tenure at Compassus, Tracy held several leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and President, Hospice & Palliative Care. She most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Quality, Innovation and Integration Officer, leading Compassus’ focus on clinical and organizational excellence. Her efforts helped guide Compassus’ 6,000 team members who provide quality care and manage patients’ advanced illnesses in partnership with health systems and long-term care partners.

A certified hospice and palliative nurse and end-of-life nursing educator for many years, Tracy’s experience informs her leadership and unwavering focus on providing an optimal experience for patients and their families. She has served on the Board of Directors of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and been a member of the Legislative Affairs Committee and Regulatory Committee. Tracy is a member of Leadership Health Care, an initiative of the Nashville Health Care Council, and the Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation (WBL). Tracy received her nursing degree from Scott College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Upper Iowa University. She was named by Nashville Medical News to Women to Watch, an honor recognizing the top women healthcare leaders in the region.

About U.S. Urology Partners

U.S. Urology Partners is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of urology and related specialty services, including general urology, surgical procedures, advanced cancer treatment and other ancillary services. Through Central Ohio Urology Group and Associated Medical Professionals of NY, the U.S. Urology Partners practice consists of a network of 24 offices throughout Ohio and Upstate New York. U.S. Urology Partners was formed to support urology practices through an experienced team of healthcare executives and resources, while serving as a platform upon which NMS Capital intends to build a leading provider of urological services through an acquisition strategy. The U.S. Urology Partners corporate office is in Nolensville, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. For additional information about U.S. Urology Partners, please visit the company’s website at www.us-uro.com.

U.S. Urology Partners Names Healthcare Visionary Raoul S. Concepcion, M.D., as Chief Science Officer

Raoul S. Concepcion, M.D., F.A.C.S., has joined U.S. Urology Partners in the newly formed role of Chief Science Officer. One of the nation’s largest independent providers of urological and related specialty services, U.S. Urology Partners provides general urology, surgical procedures, advanced cancer treatment for prostate, bladder and kidney cancers, and other ancillary services.

Dr. Concepcion will lead scientific operations of the rapidly growing U.S. Urology Partners clinical network, which now includes 24 locations through partners Central Ohio Urology Group and Associated Medical Professionals of NY. Dr. Concepcion has decades of experience as a pioneer and clinician at the forefront of the urology industry, including serving as a founding board member and former President of LUGPA, the premier nonprofit association and advocate for independent urology practices.

Mark Cherney, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Urology Partners, stated, “We are excited that Dr. Raoul Concepcion has joined U.S. Urology Partners as Chief Science Officer. His longstanding experience in urological clinical research programs and analytics will assist U.S. Urology Partners and its partner practices in providing optimal care for patients. Dr. Concepcion will be particularly helpful in advancing our precision medicine program, including genomics, genetic testing and counseling.”

As urology practices seek an alternative to hospital acquisition that will allow them to focus on the practice of medicine rather than business matters, they are turning to U.S. Urology Partners. Formed in 2018, U.S. Urology Partners supports urology practices through an experienced team of healthcare executives and resources and is funded by NMS Capital.

Raoul S. Concepcion, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Science Officer, stated, “U.S. Urology Partners is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art care for the urologic patient by providing needed operational support and attempting to standardize care across their providers. As Chief Science Officer, I will be working alongside key physicians from the member practices to establish a precision medicine cancer management model for affiliated groups that will incorporate evidence based treatment guidelines, establish a clinical genomic medicine service and build a central clinical trials initiative. The goal is to enhance patient care and advance science, which in turn provides added value to partner practices.”

He added, “Establishing a precision medicine platform will enable the team at U.S. Urology Partners and its affiliated urology groups to deliver the correct treatment to the correct patient. The past 10 years has seen the emergence of incorporating advanced cancer management into urology practices. Now, this also mandates the understanding of genetic and genomic testing to optimize care for these patients, very much akin to the standard of care associated with breast and colorectal tumors. Thus, staying current and abreast of the rapidly evolving data presents operational challenges for the busy clinician that will be supported by U.S. Urology Partners and its Medical Advisory Team, which I am proud to be a part of.“

A native of central Ohio, Dr. Concepcion has been a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine. He was a General Surgery and Urology Resident from 1984 to 1989 and served as Chief Urology Resident from 1989 to 1990. Additionally, he was a research fellow in the Light Laboratories at Vanderbilt. More recently, he has completed The City of Hope Intensive Course on Cancer Risk Assessment for hereditary cancer and genomic testing. He has been in practice since 1990, with his major clinical interest being Urologic Oncology, specializing in advanced prostate and bladder cancer and lower urinary tract reconstruction, as well as the role of genomics and genetic testing in GU tumors. He is Board Certified by the American Urological Association (AUA) and is a member of that organization, as well as the Southeastern Section of the AUA, Society of Urologic Oncology, American College of Surgeons and the Nashville Surgical Society.

From a research perspective, Dr. Concepcion has been actively involved in basic science and clinical research since his days at Vanderbilt. Dr. Concepcion has been either the principal investigator (PI) or Co-PI on many clinical trials since the 1990s. The focus as of recent has been in advanced prostate cancer, as well as biomarker development. He co-founded CUSP, a urology specific clinical trials management company that specializes in site and patient accrual for the pharmaceutical and biolab industries. From an industry perspective, Dr. Concepcion serves as an advisor, consultant or speaker for many companies involved in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. He is developing a precision medicine comprehensive prostate cancer program for U.S. Urology Partners and affiliated groups, centered on genomic testing, pathway development, data aggregation and clinical trial work.

About U.S. Urology Partners

U.S. Urology Partners is one of the nation’s largest independent providers of urology and related specialty services, including general urology, surgical procedures, advanced cancer treatment, and other ancillary services. Through Central Ohio Urology Group and Associated Medical Professionals of NY, the U.S. Urology Partners clinical network now consists of 24 offices, including a state-of-the-art, urology-specific ambulatory surgery center that is one of the first in the country to offer robotic surgery. U.S. Urology Partners was formed to support urology practices through an experienced team of healthcare executives and resources, while serving as a platform upon which NMS Capital intends to build a leading provider of urological services through an acquisition strategy. The U.S. Urology Partners corporate offices are in Nolensville, Tennessee, and Gahanna, Ohio, just outside of Nashville and Columbus. For additional information about U.S. Urology Partners, please visit the company’s website at www.us-uro.com.

Dr. Jonathan J. Corbett Joins Central Ohio Urology Group

Central Ohio Urology Group (COUG) is pleased to announce that Jonathan J. Corbett, M.D., has joined the practice. Through a network of 15 offices in the region, Central Ohio Urology Group is one of the nation’s leading providers of comprehensive urological services, including men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced treatment options for prostate and bladder cancer, and radiation oncology. COUG’s facilities include a urology-specific surgery center, as well as an Advanced Prostate Cancer Clinic. Central Ohio Urology Group is an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners, which supports urology practices and is backed by NMS Capital.

Mark Cherney, CEO of Central Ohio Urology Group and U.S. Urology Partners, stated, “I am excited to welcome Dr. Corbett to our practice. He provides a great blend of top-notch clinical education and knowledge with a strong passion for providing community-based care. He takes particular interest in co-managing urological conditions with his primary care partners: kidney stones, prostate cancer, general urology, robotics and endourology, to name a few. I also expect that he will be an active member of the community, and that will be evident over the course of the months and years to come.”

Dr. Corbett was born and raised in Cincinnati. He attended The Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology. Dr. Corbett went on to attend Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine for his medical degree, where he graduated as a member of both the Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Societies. He completed a residency in Urology at the University of Cincinnati.

“My goal is to manage patients’ urologic issues with as little disruption to their normal lives as possible,” said Dr. Corbett. “Shared decision making is a cornerstone of my practice and important to help patients make the best decisions based on their individual condition and goals. I firmly believe that collaboration between providers on our patients’ healthcare is key to providing the best possible care.”

“My wife and I met during medical school, and we are excited to return to her hometown of Columbus. I share Central Ohio Urology Group’s commitment to serve the community and am honored to join such an outstanding team of caring professionals,” added Dr. Corbett.

Dr. Corbett is now accepting patients and will primarily be working from the group’s offices at 350 W. Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, OH 43085 and the Central Ohio Urology Surgery Center at 701 Tech Center Drive, Gahanna, OH 43230. Please contact (614) 396-2684 to make an appointment or for additional information.

About Central Ohio Urology Group

Central Ohio Urology Group (COUG) is one of the nation’s leading providers of urological services with a network of 15 offices in the region. Headquartered just outside of Columbus in Gahanna, Ohio, COUG provides comprehensive services, including men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced treatment options for prostate and bladder cancer, and radiation oncology. Central Ohio Urology Group is an affiliate of U.S. Urology Partners, which has plans to support urology practices nationally and is backed by NMS Capital. For more information, visit www.centralohiourology.com and www.us-uro.com.

Central Ohio Urology Group and U.S. Urology Partners Adds Physician Recruitment Expert Audrey Barker

Central Ohio Urology Group (COUG) and U.S. Urology Partners have expanded their executive teams with the addition of Audrey Barker, MBA, Vice President of Physician Recruitment.

Through a network of 15 locations in the region, COUG is a leading provider of comprehensive urological services, including men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced treatment options for prostate and bladder cancer, and radiation oncology. U.S. Urology Partners is an affiliate of Central Ohio Urology Group and NMS Capital, with plans to support urology practices nationally.

“We are very excited to welcome Audrey to the COUG and U.S. Urology Partners teams,” said Mark Cherney, CEO. “She’s a thought leader and author in the recruitment industry with a highly successful track record. We look forward to leveraging her expertise to grow our urology practices both within Central Ohio and in additional practices supported by U.S. Urology Partners.”

Barker has an extensive background in physician recruitment and business development, most recently leading the recruitment efforts of 9 hospitals, 7 freestanding emergency departments and over 120 outpatient facilities for Kettering Health Network in Dayton, Ohio, while providing direct contractual and relational support to more than 500 employed physicians. During her time at Kettering, she successfully placed more than 225 physicians in the region and served practices of multiple sizes and affiliations, including hospital employed positions, multi-specialty private groups and independent practitioners, as well as research and academically focused clinicians. Barker published The Physician Recruiting Standard – The Delta Companies in 2018, which discusses strategies for physician retention and preventing burnout.   

“Recruiting for Central Ohio Urology Group and U.S. Urology Partners offers the ability to have laser focus on urological and oncological specialties with a goal to provide expert service to physicians. I am excited to partner with the leadership in developing key processes for growth and strategic alliances across medical and commercial enterprises,”  said Barker. “Central Ohio Urology Group is an impressive regional organization with a vision for growth and service to the greater Columbus area. I am thrilled to be on board and eager to get started,” said Barker.

“I take great pride in serving physicians – facilitating for them and their families in helping to shape their future. My approach is personal and relational in communication style, as I find this critical in establishing strong partnerships. I feel honored to play an integral role in finding the perfect fit for a physician’s unique skills and interests both personally and professionally,” stated Barker.

About Central Ohio Urology Group

Central Ohio Urology Group (COUG) is a leading provider of urological services with a network of 15 locations in the region. Headquartered just outside of Columbus in Gahanna, Ohio, COUG provides a comprehensive suite of services, including men’s health, women’s health, cancer care, advanced treatment options for prostate and bladder cancer, and radiation oncology. For more information, visit www.centralohiourology.com.

About U.S. Urology Partners

U.S. Urology Partners offers an alternative to hospital acquisition, allowing urology practices to retain their independence while benefiting from operational support, management expertise and deep financial resources of a partner. The strength and experience of U.S. Urology Partners enables practices to concentrate on what they do best – delivering the highest level of care to patients. U.S. Urology Partners is an affiliate of Central Ohio Urology Group and NMS Capital with plans to expand nationally. For more information, visit www.us-uro.com.

U.S. Urology Partners Supports Growth of Independent Practices; Urology Practices Under Pressure from Increasing Economic Demands, Hospital Consolidation

Like other medical professionals, urology practices face a number of operating challenges that strain their resources and reduce profitability. These include shrinking reimbursement rates, burdensome overhead and administrative costs, and an ever-changing regulatory environment.

Seeking to escape these pressures, some practices have joined a hospital or health system. However, once acquired by a hospital, physicians become hospital employees with little independence or ability to profit from their performance and productivity. Their contracts can also be terminated at any time.

For practices seeking an alternative to hospital acquisition, partnering with a group like U.S. Urology Partners can help support the business aspects of the practice while freeing urologists to focus on patient care.

“We see partnering with U.S. Urology Partners as a great opportunity for urologists who wish to retain clinical independence but also want greater management support and financial strength,” said Mark Cherney, CEO, U.S. Urology Partners. “The healthcare environment continues to become more complex and demanding for physicians. Our goal is to allow physicians to focus on clinical care while our skilled experts optimize other business aspects of the practice.”

U.S. Urology Partners has compiled Cherney’s answers to some of the most common questions from practices considering partnership opportunities. U.S. Urology is focused on supporting urology practices through operational expertise, management skills and deep financial resources. The firm’s physician partners retain their independence, avoid hospital employment, and drive clinical leadership and patient care. The Q&A can be found at www.us-uro.com/questions-answers/

Among the questions are:

  • How do practices benefit operationally?
  • What are the financial benefits?
  • How will it help physicians close to retirement?
  • What will be the outcome for middle-aged and younger physicians?

For more information, contact Mark Cherney, Chief Executive Officer, at (614) 944-4834 or mcherney@us-uro.com.

About U.S. Urology Partners

U.S. Urology Partners offers an alternative to hospital acquisition, allowing urology practices to retain their independence while benefiting from operational support, management expertise and deep financial resources of a partner. The strength and experience of U.S. Urology Partners enables practices to concentrate on what they do best – delivering the highest level of care to patients. U.S. Urology Partners is an affiliate of Central Ohio Urology Group and NMS Capital with plans to expand nationally. www.us-uro.com  

U.S. Urology Partners Expands Senior Management Team; New CFO, CDO Have Extensive Healthcare Backgrounds

U.S. Urology Partners has added two highly experienced healthcare experts to its executive team. Anthony Bond, CPA, has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer, and Chad Baldwin will serve as Chief Development Officer.

U.S. Urology Partners offers an alternative to hospital acquisition, allowing urology practices to retain their independence while benefitting from operational support, management expertise and deep financial resources. Physician partners retain their independence, avoid hospital employment, and drive clinical leadership and patient care.

“We are very pleased to add Anthony and Chad to the U.S. Urology Partners team,” said Mark Cherney, CEO, U.S. Urology Partners. “It’s a testament to the strength of our company as well as our vision for the future that they chose to align with us. They understand and embrace our goal: to enable urologists to focus on clinical care while our skilled experts help optimize other business aspects of the practices.”

Anthony Bond, CPA, is a seasoned financial executive with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare service sector. Most recently as CFO of IMAC Holdings, a provider of regenerative services as an alternative to surgery, he led the company from cash-based operations through an IPO, taking the company public on the NASDAQ. He previously ran Bond Consulting Group, providing a variety of strategic financial services to organizations while arranging for financing, starting, managing and ultimately selling three businesses. Mr. Bond’s experience includes serving as Group CFO and Vice President for Symbion, an owner of more than 60 ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals; Vice President of Financial Operations for Inspiris, Inc.; and Vice President of National Accounts for Passport Health Communications.

Chad Baldwin is a senior executive with nearly two decades of healthcare services experience in finance, operations and business development. His background includes serving as Vice President of Hospital Operations for Surgery Partners, Inc., an integrated outpatient healthcare company with 180 facilities in 32 states. Mr. Baldwin’s focus was on development and acquisition efforts aimed at surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, physician practices and urgent care. During his decade with Surgery Partners, Mr. Baldwin served as Vice President of Acquisitions and Development as well as interim Chief Executive Officer of Lubbock Heart and Surgical Hospital. Previously, Mr. Baldwin was a Senior Accountant with Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. as well as Ernst and Young, LLP.

About U.S. Urology Partners

U.S. Urology Partners offers an alternative to hospital acquisition, allowing urology practices to retain their independence while benefitting from operational support, management expertise and deep financial resources of a partner. The strength and experience of U.S. Urology Partners enables practices to concentrate on what they do best – delivering the highest level of care to patients. U.S. Urology Partners is an affiliate of Central Ohio Urology Group and NMS Capital with plans to expand nationally. Learn more at www.us-uro.com.