About
First Hill Surgery Center (FHSC) is an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operated as a joint venture between The Polyclinic, dba Optum Care Washington, and Swedish Medical Center and managed by The Polyclinic. Our mission is to foster healing in a safe environment that respects the important role of caregivers, family, and friends while providing exceptional service and value for patients.
For patients, the dedicated outpatient facility represents a lower-cost option for ambulatory surgery services in an easily accessible location. Lower overall facility fees means lower out-of-pocket costs for most patients compared to a typical hospital-based facility. For surgeons, the center's 12 operating rooms and 32 postoperative rooms with dedicated surgery staff allow for more efficient scheduling of patients and less down time between cases.
FHSC, located at 1101 Madison Street, Suite 200, in Seattle, features 12 fully-equipped, state-of-the-art operating rooms and recovery rooms with comprehensive imaging, laboratory, and pharmacy services. The 36,000-square-foot facility provides access for surgeons across the Puget Sound region, including The Polyclinic and Swedish Medical Center, to perform outpatient procedures in a highly efficient and cost effective manner.
Leadership
Steven F. Counter, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Dr. Steven Counter is a board-certified surgeon with extensive surgical experience. As medical director of First Hill Surgery Center, Dr. Counter oversees the development and implementation of the facility, strategic plan deployment, staff recruitment, accreditation, and other regulatory functions. He also guides the overall policies and medical guidelines, ensuring high-quality, patient-centered care, physician coordination, and compliance. Dr. Counter is a general surgeon and serves as the chief of surgery at The Polyclinic.
Cynthia Bess
RN, BSN, CNOR, LNC
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cynthia Bess has been a Registered Nurse Leader in Surgical Services for over 19 years. As Executive Director of First Hill Surgery Center (FHSC) she has oversight and accountability for all front-line operations, and quality and safety for all patients and staff. She oversees the business financial components to assure the business is run in the most efficient way possible, keeping the cost of patient care as affordable as possible for our patients. She works together with the Medical Director to provide seamless day-to- day compliance with regulatory standards and the highest of quality care which the patients have come to expect and appreciate at FHSC.