The physicians of North Atlanta Surgical Associates (NASA) recently announced the opening of the first single-specialty general surgery center in Georgia at the Center Pointe Medical Office complex adjacent to Northside and St. Joseph’s hospitals.

The new 7,764-square foot Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) includes two operating rooms, one minor procedure room, three pre-op bays, and six recovery rooms bays. Prior to opening, the ASC earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory care organizations.

ASCs are health care facilities that offer patients the opportunity to have selected surgical and procedural services performed outside the hospital setting. The goal of ASCs is to provide a high-quality, cost-effective alternative to outpatient hospital care for surgical services.

Until recently, general surgery was not considered a single specialty, making this facility the first of its kind in the state.

Dr. Iqbal Garcha, director of the NASA Surgery Center, said that the surgery center allows surgeons to schedule procedures more conveniently, assemble teams of specially-trained and highly skilled staff, and ensure the equipment and supplies being used are best suited to their technique. The doctors worked closely with architects to design the center to meet the needs of their patients.

The following NASA physicians are majority owners in the surgery center: Drs. C. Richard Cummings, Jr., George Shaak, Michael Hoffman, Jeffrey Hoadley, Mark Wilkiemeyer, Gary Ludi, Alexander Park, J. Dewayne Colquitt, John P. Daly, David M. Ruben, J. Patrick Luke, and Iqbal Garcha. Minority owners of the center are Drs. J. Clay Copher, M.D., Jeff G. Tucker, Louis A Goehring, Arnold Rosen, Russell A. Wilson, L. Thomas Winger, IV, George Daneker, and David D. Park.