Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community

The Nap Gary Legacy Award is presented to a current or former Ambulatory Surgery Center Association member for outstanding lifetime contributions to the industry. In recognition of longevity and unwavering dedication to ambulatory surgery, the Legacy Award is given in honor of Nap Gary, who exemplified the qualities of integrity, dedication, mentorship, leadership, loyalty, and high ethical and moral standards, all dedicated to the success of the ASC community, that the award recognizes.

Beall D. “Nap” Gary Jr. proposed the award while serving as past president of the ASCA and ASCA Foundation Boards of Directors. As he was preparing to take part in ASCA’s annual meeting in 2015, he suffered a fatal heart attack on his weekly early-morning, 13-mile run at his home in White Hall, Virginia. The other Board members who served with Gary elected to name the award in his honor.

In addition to long years of service on the ASCA and the ASCA Foundation’s Boards of Directors, Gary was instrumental in leading the organization’s ASCA’’s early advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

Nap Gary

Nap Gary

Award Criteria

A current or former ASCA member may nominate themself or another member of the ASC community for this award. The nominee must be an active or prior member of ASCA or a member of the ASC community who has served ASCA and the ASC community in significant ways. A state ASC association may also nominate an individual.

The nominee must have been actively working in the ASC industry for at least 15 years and an ASCA member or someone who has supported ASCA’s mission in a significant way for at least 10 years preceding their nomination. During that time, the nominee will have served as an active leader making sustained contributions, either in the local, state or national outpatient surgery communities, as an advocate for, and to the betterment of, the ASC industry.

Submit a Nomination

Any current or former member of ASCA or a state ASC association may nominate someone for the award by submitting a completed nomination form available from ASCA, the nominee’s curriculum vitae and up to three letters of support by email to Dee Bellfield-Ross at dbellfield@ascassociation.org. Letters of support are greatly encouraged and are at the discretion of the nominator. Additionally, a nominee should have only one nomination letter whether from an individual or organization.

All entries must be submitted for consideration by the ASCA Governance Committee no later than October 1 of the year preceding the year the award will be presented. Receipt of each nomination will be confirmed by email. Please follow up with Ms. Bellfield-Ross if you do not receive confirmation or have additional questions.

Winners

Kathy Wilson, RN

Kathy Wilson, RN
Kathy Wilson receives the Nap Gary award from David Shapiro, MD, at the ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo in Denver, Colorado, May 2, 2025.

On May 2, 2025, ASCA awarded the ninth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community to Kathy Wilson, RN, former executive director of the ASC Quality Collaboration (ASCQC). Wilson led ASCQC from 2021–2025. She played a pivotal role in shaping ASCQC’s impact and left behind a strong legacy. She oversaw all operations, functions and activities of the organization that promotes safety and quality care delivery in ASCs; worked with federal agencies on measure development projects; and educated ASC stakeholders regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ASC Quality Reporting Program.

Before ASCQC, Wilson worked as the vice president of quality at Amsurg from 2010–2019 and was instrumental in developing a quality and risk management program to support more than 260 surgery centers. She also established a data repository for quality, risk, accreditation and regulatory survey reports, and created a system for reporting quality indicators to CMS.

Prior to Amsurg, Wilson worked for HCA Healthcare from 1999–2010 in different roles, ending her career with the company as assistant vice president of clinical services.

Kathy Bryant, JD

On May 19, 2023, ASCA recognized Kathy Bryant, JD, as the recipient of the eighth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. Ms. Bryant led ASCA from 1998 to 2010. Under her stewardship, the association navigated a critical period in its history, transitioning from an organization with little recognition in Washington, DC, to an organization that is, today, the recognized advocate and voice for surgery centers across the country and the number one resource for ASCs on regulatory policy and ASC-specific education. During Ms. Bryant’s tenure, many ASCA members started participating in ASC advocacy efforts for the first time.

Under Ms. Bryant’s leadership, ASCA supported the introduction of ASC payment reform legislation in 2005 and met with then-President George W. Bush in 2006 to discuss ways ASCs could help fulfill Bush’s national healthcare priorities. The organization also developed National ASC Open House Day—which has since expanded to become National ASC Month—established the Certified Administrator Surgery Center credential in 2002 and convinced the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to continue to allow ASCs to provide recovery care to non-Medicare patients.

Kathy Bryant receives the Nap Gary award from David Shapiro, MD, at the ASCA 2023 Conference & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, May 19, 2023.

Tom Deas Jr., MD

On April 27, 2022, ASCA recognized Dr. Tom Deas as the co-recipient of the seventh annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. In addition to serving 20 years in the US Air Force and retiring as a colonel, Dr. Deas held multiple leadership positions at the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), including a term as president. Dr. Deas is a former ASCA Board member and board certified in both internal medicine and gastroenterology. He retired as vice president of physician engagement at North Texas Specialty Physicians. Currently, Dr. Deas uses his passion for healthcare and the ASC industry to serve as a physician development coach at TCU School of Medicine.

Tom Deas Jr., MD receives the Nap Gary award at the ASCA 2022 Conference & Expo on April 27, 2022.

Peter Daly, MD

On April 27, 2022, ASCA recognized Dr. Peter Daly as the co-recipient of the seventh annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. Dr. Daly is an orthopedic surgeon and specializes in shoulder, hip and knee surgery at Summit Orthopedics in Lakeville, Minnesota. In 2008, Dr. Daly and his wife Lulu, a pediatric nurse, created the Holy Family Surgery Center in Honduras. In 2017, they merged with Surgical Care Affiliates Medical Missions to form One World Surgery, where Dr. Daly remains co-founder and chief medical officer.

Peter Daley, MD receives the Nap Gary award at the ASCA 2022 Conference & Expo on April 27, 2022.

Ann Shimek, RN, CASC

On May 21, 2021, ASCA recognized Ann Shimek as the recipient of the sixth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. Ms. Shimek began her career as a nurse in Texas for eight years until becoming the clinical director of the Dallas Day Surgery Center. After five years in that role, she joined United Surgical Partners International (USPI) where she held various positions. Ms. Shimek was employed as the senior vice president and chief clinical officer at Surgery Partners and, briefly, as the executive director of the ASC Quality Collaboration, immediately before her passing in November 2020.

Ann Shimek

Randy Leffler

In July 2020, ASCA recognized Randy Leffler as the co-recipient of the fifth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. He was the executive director of the Ohio Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (OAASC) before his passing in December 2019. Mr. Leffler joined OAASC in 2007. He also led ASCA’s State Affairs Committee and served on ASCA’s Government Affairs Committee. In addition to the critical leadership he provided to the ASC community, Mr. Leffler was equally known for his remarkable kindness and strong leadership qualities.

Randy Leffler

Bill Wilcox

In July 2020, ASCA recognized Bill Wilcox as the co-recipient of the fifth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. He served as president and chief executive officer of United Dental Care, Inc. from 1996 until joining Tenet Healthcare Corporation in 1998. It was then that he served as president and director of United Surgical Partners International (USPI). In 2004, Mr. Wilcox began serving as chief executive officer of USPI, a position he held until his retirement. Mr. Wilcox was instrumental in unifying the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, as well as in developing the ASC Quality Collaboration, which continues to promote top-quality patient care in ASCs today.

Bill Wilcox

Donna Slosburg, RN, CASC

On May 16, 2019, ASCA recognized Donna Slosburg as the recipient of the fourth annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. Her commitment to the ASC industry led her to collaborate with various organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Ms. Slosburg also served on the board of directors for the Florida Society of Ambulatory Surgery Centers and the editorial board for the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses.

Donna Slosburg receives the Nap Gary award from Larry Taylor at the ASCA 2019 Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, May 16, 2019.

Joel Gordon

On April 16, 2018, ASCA recognized Joel Gordon as the co-recipient of the third annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. In addition to being a veteran of the US Air Force and the torchbearer in Nashville’s 1996 Olympics, Joel Gordon had an impressive career, which included serving as a co-founder of Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA).

Joel Gordon

Milla Perry Jones

On April 16, 2018, ASCA recognized Milla Perry Jones as the co-recipient of the third annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. Ms. Perry Jones played a role in organizing hundreds of facility tours for policymakers and helped inspire the creation of a national network of elected officials who support ASCs. Ms. Perry Jones was also the Texas ASC association's longest-serving board member and chair of the association's legislative affairs and political action committees. She also had a strong impact at ASCA, where she served as a member of the State Affairs Committee, Government Affairs Committee and ASC State Task Force for many years. She retired as vice president of government relations at United Surgical Partners International (USPI) in 2017.

Milla Perry Jones

Alsie Sydness-Fitzgerald, RN, CASC

On May 8, 2017, ASCA recognized Alsie Sydness-Fitzgerald as the recipient of the second annual Nap Gary Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement in the ASC Community. During her career, Sydness-Fitzgerald helped get state approval for her first freestanding ASC, stayed on as a regional director of Medical 21 (which later became Medical Care International), and served as the director of clinical operations for HCA’s ambulatory surgery division. Though she “retired” in 2005, Sydness-Fitzgerald continued to serve as an accreditation surveyor for many years afterward. Sydness-Fitzgerald also served as president of ASCA’s Board of Directors, president of the ASCA Foundation’s Board of Directors and a member of the BASC Board of Directors.

Alsie Sydness-Fitzgerald, RN, CASC, receives the Nap Gary award at the ASCA 2017 Conference & Expo on May 8, 2017.

Nap Gary, JD

Nap Gary, the first recipient of ASCA’s lifetime achievement award, which is named in his honor, received the award in 2016. After graduating from Duke University law school, Mr. Gary began his career as an associate and then as a partner at the Birmingham law firm of Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker. He later joined HealthSouth Corporation in Birmingham as lead counsel for the company’s network of more than 125 surgery centers and president and supervisory principal of the company’s National Association of Securities Dealers-registered broker-dealer subsidiary. He went on to become HealthSouth’s senior vice president of corporate development, heading up the department responsible for acquisitions and de novo development of all the company’s inpatient rehabilitation facilities and surgery centers. From there, he joined Regent Surgical Health as president and chief operating officer. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Regent Surgical Health and Revenue Cycle Management.