A new chapter begins: AdventHealth Avista opens its on-campus surgery center

With gratitude, excitement, and a sense of homecoming, AdventHealth Avista proudly celebrated the opening of its newly relocated surgery center - now on the Avista campus. This milestone marks a meaningful new chapter for a team whose history stretches back more than two decades.

Originally opened in Boulder in 2003 as Flatirons Surgery Center, the ambulatory surgery center has long served patients with exceptional care and expertise. Several team members who were present on the very first day in 2003 still serve within the center today or made a special trip back to celebrate the ribbon-cutting and honor the legacy they helped build.

On November 13, the team completed its final day in the former building, a space that had begun to show its age. And in just a few short weeks, they packed, relocated, and prepared the new center for an opening effort that required extraordinary teamwork, coordination, and commitment.

A celebration of collaboration

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, CEO Mark Smith expressed his deep appreciation for the individuals and departments whose hard work made this move possible.

“My hat is off to all of you — when I look around, I’m reminded that it truly takes a village,” he said. “I want to thank everyone in this room for your hard work in getting this surgery center open.”

He went on to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of:

• Facilities
• Biomed
• Supply Chain
• IT
• Surgery center team members
• EVS
• Lab
• Emergency response partners
• Quality team
• SPD
• Finance team

Mark also recognized five individuals for their exceptional dedication and leadership throughout the transition:

Emily Berg, Stephanie Kirmaier, Marta Clements, Amber Wood, and Calvin Smith.

“Avista truly is our family”

Surgery Center Manager Stephanie Kirmaier shared heartfelt remarks, expressing gratitude to every team member involved and to Avista leadership for empowering the center to make the move smoothly and thoughtfully.

“The ASC is the best team I’ve ever had the privilege of working with,” she shared. “I’m confident our community will receive such great service from our team and what we can provide at Avista. Avista truly is our family - we’re back home, and I’m so grateful.”

A bright future for patient care

Now fully integrated into the Avista campus, the surgery center is poised to enhance the patient experience with improved workflow, proximity to hospital resources, and a warm, healing environment. The team looks forward to delivering compassionate, whole-person care to surgery patients in their beautiful new space, built on a foundation of teamwork, legacy, and love for the community.

This opening represents more than a new location, it celebrates dedication, resilience, and a family of caregivers continuing a mission that began more than 20 years ago.