At Regent, our Executive Leadership Team plays a vital role in shaping our strategy, culture, and future. Through our Team Spotlight series, we’re proud to introduce the leaders who guide our mission and drive operational excellence across the organization.
Meet Riley Orr, Regent’s Chief Operating Officer. With a background in healthcare administration and years of experience in ambulatory surgery center operations, Riley brings a people-first leadership style and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale operational excellence across a growing network.
How did you get started in ASCs, and what brought you to Regent?
I graduated from a small school out in West Texas called Abilene Christian University with a degree in Biology — Go Wildcats! I knew I wanted to be a part of the medical field, but was unsure of the role I wanted to play in the continuum of care. As I researched different aspects of the industry, I was drawn to healthcare administration, where patient care converged with a team-first approach to making a difference in the lives of people in need.
I was lucky enough to land an internship with a surgery center management company and fell in love with ASC operations. Running an ASC reminds me a lot of managing a sports team — a group of talented individuals, each specialized in their area of expertise, contributing their skills and talents to achieve something great.
In 2022, I was presented with the opportunity to join Regent at a pivotal point in our company’s journey. It was a chance to bring my experience and skillset to an organization that was looking to redefine surgical care. Over the last four years, I am proud of our progress and wake up every morning excited by the challenge to be the best partner possible for our staff, physicians, and health-system partners.
What’s one trend in ambulatory surgery you’re watching closely?
One trend I’m watching closely is the continued migration of high-acuity procedures to the outpatient setting. While this highlights an immense growth opportunity for our industry, it also introduces rising cost pressures that must be managed appropriately to ensure the long-term success and vitality of ASC partnerships. As our country’s population continues to age, cost of care will grow at a faster rate than reimbursement. The best surgery center management companies will view this challenge as an opportunity to truly set themselves apart as the best operators and partners in the industry
How do you ensure consistency and quality across multiple centers?
Consistency at scale starts with people, not systems. We invest heavily in our operational leadership structure and the tools they need — financial visibility, clinical quality data, peer benchmarking — so that every ASC leader can make informed decisions in real time.
AI and analytic capabilities will grow in prevalence and improve our ability to support our centers at scale, but those solutions will only provide part of the answer. Clinical care will always be rooted in a culture of care and compassion, and our ability to empower the people closest to the patient is what will ultimately define Regent’s quality at any size.
What advice would you give to someone entering this field?
In a world full of reports and data, it’s easy to get lost at your computer, in your office, and in your inbox. At its heart, the business of healthcare is relationship-driven. Your ability to connect with individuals — regardless of position, experience, or background — is a leading indicator of your future success in this industry.
Patients, staff, and physicians value authenticity, transparency, and integrity. That doesn’t mean you always get to tell people what they want to hear, but possessing a high level of emotional intelligence and thoughtfulness in your approach to tough conversations will build stronger bonds than you could ever anticipate. When in doubt, put down the phone or computer and meet your teammates where they are, face to face.
Who or what has influenced your leadership style the most?
I’ve been lucky to have a network of leaders and mentors in my life who showed me the value of servant leadership and gave me growth opportunities I didn’t know I was ready for. I’ve always enjoyed learning about successful leaders’ professional and personal journeys — how they got to where they are, and what shaped them along the way.
My advice is to look for people you admire and don’t be afraid to reach out and build a relationship. People love to support those who show initiative and a genuine interest in bettering themselves. There is nothing more satisfying than getting to play a role in developing others.