Shannon Blake is a dedicated professional who is deeply immersed in the world of medical spas. As the director of medical spa partnerships at Podium, she brings a wealth of experience and a fervent passion for the industry to her role. Blake's primary focus lies in empowering local medical spas to excel in today's competitive market. With a keen eye for innovation, she specializes in assisting spas in modernizing their operations and harnessing the power of AI capabilities for accelerated growth and enhanced client satisfaction.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a dynamic force in the world of aesthetic medicine. As the vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and the founder of My Aesthetic Training, she seamlessly marries the expertise of a practitioner of medicine with that of a multi-site business operator. Siemens's journey into aesthetic medicine commenced as an operating room nurse specializing in facial plastic surgery. Through her diverse patient interactions, Taylor has honed a profound understanding of the aging process, fueling her skillset in crafting comprehensive, multi-modality treatment solutions that align seamlessly with patients' aesthetic objectives.

A small-town native, Midwesterner Elizabeth Ackerson, ARNP, MSN, FNP-C, opened her business during a worldwide pandemic, nurtured it from a one-woman show to a team of eight, and scaled to seven figures within three short years. Ackerson combines 13 years of medical experience with a passion for using aesthetic medicine to help individuals step into their own power. She feels strongly that we are all at our best when we work together as a community and strives to assist with this wherever she goes.

Christal Parker, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than 11 years of experience in the ER. She followed her passion and opened Savvy Beauty and Wellness to provide aesthetic services to all. She works beside patients to fulfill their beauty wants and desires. Her goal is to make them feel beautiful inside and out. Savvy Beauty and Wellness promotes a fun-loving environment to make everyone feel comfortable.

Hillary Jewell, MSN-FNPc, MIPH, APRN, a board-certified nurse practitioner, has 20 years of experience working at Mark Jewell Plastic Surgery as a clinical research coordinator, clinical nurse manager and provider. Beginning in January 2024, she is the owner of the new Jewell Aesthetic Medspa. Using her experience presenting clinical research to plastic surgeons, Jewell is now focusing on educating fellow nurse practitioners on clinical requirements and workflows and discussing the trials and tribulations faced by today's medical spa owners.

Lisa Lickstein is a co-owner and the chief operating officer of Lickstein Plastic Surgery. She is highly involved in mentorship opportunities for women in the community. Lickstein is a founding member of Impact the Palm Beaches and proudly sponsors the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Council’s Mentorship Academy and, as a board member, chairs its major fundraiser. Lickstein takes pride in the growth of the practice and creating staff development opportunities, growing ROI by investing in retaining their staff.

Beverly Duke is an award-winning licensed aesthetician, medical assistant and aesthetic clinical director with Lickstein Plastic Surgery in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. With more than two decades of experience providing care to patients of every age and skin type, she is sought-after both by patients as a provider and by new aestheticians as an educator, trainer and mentor. Duke's vast knowledge of state-of-the-art skin care coupled with her warmth and welcoming demeanor put patients and colleagues immediately at ease. Duke's role at Lickstein Plastic Surgery includes both clinical care and supervision and training of younger aestheticians.

Nicci Levy is a renowned entrepreneur and founder of Alchemy 43. Her journey started as a makeup artist for brands such as Benefit, MAC, and ck Calvin Klein, where she honed her skills and grew her love of beauty and cosmetics. Inspired by her own experiences and driven by a desire to make aesthetic services more accessible, Levy created Alchemy 43, an aesthetics brand specializing in microtreatments. With locations in California, New York, and Texas, and more planned, Alchemy 43 distinguishes itself with an accessible and convenient option in the aesthetics space.

Terri Ross brings more than 20 years of sales and management experience to the medical aesthetics field, having worked with leading-edge medical device companies such as Zeltiq, Medicis, EMD Serono, Merck Schering Plough, and Indigo Medical, a surgical division of Johnson & Johnson. Ross's knowledge and experience as a sales director managing successful teams and upwards of $20 million in revenue has allowed her to become a renowned consultant helping aesthetic practices thrive. To optimize revenues and business performance, Ross's practice management consulting services help physicians evaluate practice processes, including overall operating efficiencies, staff skill assessment, customer service, and operating efficiency strategies.

Izhak Musli has more than 15 years of extensive leadership and management experience across multiple industries and is an expert in business processes, operational excellence and using technology as a tool to improve business efficiencies. He has a deep understanding of practice management, having worked with aesthetic practices since 2015. Musli founded and developed two software solutions for the aesthetic industry, both of which have since been acquired. In 2019, Musli joined Symplast as chief revenue officer. In September 2021, Musli joined APX Platform as co-CEO to spearhead the company’s future vision, growth strategy, and global expansion.

With a proven track record in SBA and commercial lending, Marie Askew brings extensive experience, drive, and enthusiasm to Live Oak Bank and her customers. By cultivating strong relationships with her clients and network, she has garnered a robust understanding of merger and acquisition, owner-occupied real estate, and ground-up construction. During her career, she has successfully navigated complex loans and has been responsible for increasing SBA production nationwide. Through a passion for learning new environments and exploring diverse cultures, she spent eight years abroad, where she became fluent in Spanish and earned a B.A. in Global Studies.

Christin Trujillo is a financial consultant at Maven Financial Partners who helps aesthetic practices understand their businesses from the inside out. Whether navigating growth, planning the next 10 years, budgeting another location, or simply maintaining “business as usual,” Trujillo helps owners make sense of their financials by encouraging tactical habits, preaching forward momentum to objectives and inspiring solutions to overcome obstacles. Specializing in multiple healthcare verticals, her extensive knowledge and network give clients insights into industry benchmarks, resources and key partners to ensure they each meet their unique goals.

Loretta Nguyen Zanetti, ARNP, is the founder and owner of Erasable Inc. Med Spa. She has eight years of aesthetic medicine experience specializing in laser and energy-based devices. She serves as a key opinion leader for Cutera and Sciton and is a speaker for numerous aesthetic medicine conferences. She has published articles on laser-based treatments in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetics and Dermatology and authored a chapter on laser tattoo removal in the Concise Textbook in Aesthetic Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery. Zanetti has served 18 years in the U.S. Army as a medical officer and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Michael Zanetti is a limited partner and strategic advisor to Erasable Inc. Medical Spa and Aesthetics Institute. An international leader in medical aesthetics, Erasable MedSpa delivers high-quality patient experiences while developing the next generation of leaders in the aesthetics industry. Previously, Zanetti spent nearly a decade serving as an officer in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of major and deploying around the globe. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Annie Robertson Hockey is the President and Head of Consulting at Skytale Group. As a former management consultant, entrepreneur, and business owner, Hockey supports her clients and team through her unique combination of operational and strategic insight. She joined Skytale after founding and serving as Co-CEO of Column N.A., a nationally chartered, technology-focused bank based in the Bay Area where she currently serves as an Advisor and Board Member. Previously, she worked at Bain & Co., and Goldman Sachs, and was an early employee at various Silicon Valley startups. She graduated with honors from both Stanford University and Stanford's Graduate School of Business, where she was an Arjay Miller Scholar.

Bryan Durocher is the author of Wake Up… Live the Life You Love… in Beauty, and is the founder of Essentials Spa Consulting and Durocher Enterprises. Durocher was named one of the “Top 20 People to Know in the Beauty Industry” by Global Cosmetic Industry magazine and provides coaching, consulting, global industry trends and marketing solutions for medical spa, spa and industry professionals internationally. Durocher Enterprises has been published in many articles and has provided business education internationally at a variety of national and international industry events.

As a successful medical spa director, Amanda Hopper exercises her background in operational and organizational management and has more than 15 years of experience working closely with Fortune 500 companies. She is focused on redefining the concept of “guest services” and operational efficiency within the medical aesthetics space. Hopper's knowledge spans many specialties, including building custom systems and protocols, implementing growth strategies, and producing revenue-driven results. Hopper's strategies for building and empowering any service-driven role are proven to increase retention and increase revenue. Her proprietary "AH Method" has propelled the growth and development of many young professionals.

Cathy Christensen is the President and chief operating officer of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) and has been with the company since its infancy, joining as director of operations in 2013. Prior to this, she worked in the publishing industry, where she began as an editorial assistant and transitioned into her second career in operations of AmSpa after climbing the ladder to become the editor-in-chief of Skin Inc. magazine and the conference director of the Face & Body events. Christensen has contributed to AmSpa’s significant growth since 2013, and oversees team members who specialize in marketing, membership, sales, events, legal, and content. She prides herself in her ability to embrace challenges and persevere, and even have a little fun while doing i.

Sheila Barbarino, MD, FAAO, FAACS, FACS, is an award-winning, board-certified oculofacial plastics and full body cosmetic surgeon. She is best known for her comprehensive, natural results approach to both non-surgical and surgical procedures for all body and skin types. Additionally, Dr. Barbarino is known within the aesthetic industry for her extensive, artful expertise and mastery of non-surgical modalities with fillers, threads and laser technology to help patients achieve pleasing, natural-looking facial and body rejuvenation. She is a renowned lecturer, teacher, and trainer at medical symposiums who focuses on cutting edge technology and new innovative techniques.

Neekan Rivera, PA-C, is founder of Aère Aesthetics + Education, an aesthetics practice with a strong focus on education and an aesthetic training center with locations in both Beverly Hills, California, and Denver. She has been an Allergan Trainer for more than five years and is also a MINT PDO Threads trainer. She hosts private training courses under Aère Academy, all of which have sold out. Rivera is constantly advancing her own skills by seeking the best training programs in the world to ensure that she always delivers high-quality and effective treatments.

Silvia Tuthill, DNP, ANP-C, is an accomplished and dedicated professional in the field of nursing practice. Recognizing the growing demand for aesthetic and wellness services, she decided to open Tenth Avenue Aesthetics with her business partner.
With her extensive knowledge and skills in nursing practice and program development, Tuthill seamlessly transitioned into the role of a successful entrepreneur. Their medical spa quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality of care, cutting-edge treatments and personalized approach to each patient's unique needs. She is opening a medical spa in her native county on the island of Antigua in Fall 2024.

Jeremy Chidester, MD, affectionately known as "Dr. Chiddy," is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a specialization in aesthetic breast and body. His skills are highlighted by his development of the "SoMē" method, a trademarked technique helping to revolutionize elective breast surgery. He also co-created the "SoMē Bra," a post-surgical bra line, and founded a software company focused on advancing aesthetic medicine through patient-centered solutions. In April 2021, Dr. Chiddy expanded his impact in the aesthetic field by launching "The Spa at The Plastics Clinic," a full-service medical spa designed to offer a complete spectrum of aesthetic treatments.

As a Strategic Advisor of Aesthetics for Skytale Group, Judy Kozlicki’s extensive experience gives her a deep understanding of the aesthetic space. She gets to know each client’s practice individually, identifies the opportunities for growth, adapts best practices and works alongside owners to bring their vision to fruition. Kozlicki was a senior consultant at KZA & Associates before joining Skytale Group. Prior to that, she served as the president of Pinnacle Cosmetic and COO/CCO of Omni Cosmetic, where she played an active role in guiding the strategic vision and rapid growth. Kozlicki also served as the executive director for two private plastic and cosmetic surgery practices; during her time, she helped the owners rebuild their teams and introduced new service lines and technology, which refueled revenue production resulting in increased stability and profitability for the practices. From 2010 to 2015, Kozlicki led the national expansion of LifeTime Fitness’ medical spa business. While serving as the national manager of skin care and medical aesthetics, she opened 33 medical spa locations in 20 states.

Mary Smiley Ford, CRNA, RN, MSN, is the owner and founder of Smiley Aesthetics. She began her aesthetics career in early 2019 while working as an anesthesiologist. In February 2022, along with her identical twin sister, Carla, she launched Smiley Aesthetics as a two-person mobile toxin and collagen business in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee. In just over a year, Smiley Aesthetics has started five brick and mortar locations and nearly 100 mobile injectors in nine states, a number that grows weekly. Ford has been trained by some of the top providers in the country and continues to receive training.

Carla Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN, is an experienced injector who has been in the medical field for more than 12 years. She worked in a variety of critical care and trauma settings before entering into nursing leadership roles. She is a published author in the American Nurse Journal on business systems and processes, proving her expertise in the operations of business. Her passion is helping people grow and empowering nurses to have a better understanding of the business and professional opportunities that are out there beyond the acute care setting, as well as training nurses to safely and compliantly perform beautiful aesthetics.

Bree Black has an extensive background in sales, sales leadership and business development. She started her career in aesthetics with Allergan working as a business development manager in the Seattle and Beverly Hills markets. In 2019, Black co-founded Job Snob with then-colleague Kipper Doughty. Job Snob provides nationwide concierge recruiting, an industry-specific job board and acquisition matchmaking for medical aesthetic practices.

Kipper Doughty Hudek is one of the founders of Job Snob, a dedicated resource to assist medical aesthetic practices in the hiring process. In 2007, she began her career in aesthetics with Allergan. As an executive business development manager, she worked in both the Dallas and Beverly Hills, California, markets, where she recognized the strong need for a staffing solution in the industry. In 2019, Doughty co-founded Job Snob with her former colleague and friend, Bree Black. Job Snob currently works with medical spas as well as cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery practices, providing concierge recruiting, an industry-specific job board and practice acquisition services throughout the nation.

Together with her husband, Katie Ehlis embarked on an extraordinary journey of entrepreneurship in the medical aesthetic industry despite their limited expertise in the field. They fearlessly embraced the challenge of starting The Vanity Bar in Fargo, North Dakota, opening its doors at the height of COVID-related closures. With a shared vision and unwavering belief in their abilities, they immersed themselves in a relentless pursuit of learning, attending workshops and seeking guidance from industry experts. Today, after only three years of being open, The Vanity Bar is a seven-figure practice with continued, steady growth.

Yvonne Dellos, FNP-BC, is an experienced injector, national speaker and trainer, and is obsessed with educating providers entering the medical aesthetics space. She entered medical aesthetics in January 2014. In 2018, she launched her training school, Medical Aesthetic Art Institute. In 2019 she launched Aesthetic ER, a complication course and kit that is now in more than 150 medical spas. She opened Aesthetic Co. in St. George, Utah, in 2020. In August 2022, she started the MAAI Annual Summit, a conference for injectors that takes place in Park City, Utah. She is a KOL and board member for numerous companies.

Lily Nizam, PA-C, CPCP, has been practicing in surgical subspecialties since 2012, with training from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. Nizam focuses on high attention to detail and immaculate precision while recognizing the importance of facial anatomy to deliver the highest quality of care to her patients. She prides herself on developing long-lasting relationships with her patients based on trust. Nizam enjoys educating her patients at Alabama Surgical Arts on the available treatments that would most benefit them based on their aesthetic goals. She loves helping her patients develop more confidence by enhancing their natural beauty.

Tiphany Hall, PhD, serves as the chief growth officer at Aesthetic Record, an all-in-one EMR and practice management solution that powers more than 3,000 U.S. clinics and serves more than 1.5 million patients. In addition to supporting the core Aesthetic Record platform, in 2021, Hall led the full-scale launch of the Aesthetic Record Marketplace, a multi-vendor e-commerce platform devoted specifically to the practice needs of the aesthetics industry.

Audra Ford, MD, MHS, has worked in a variety of settings—as a primary doctor for active duty and retired military and their spouses, in private practice, and as a medical director at Kaiser and several Concentra Urgent Care facilities. She is now a medical director and the owner of her own medical spa, Vitality Boost Wellness, in Los Angeles. She has been on the speaking circuit for more than 10 years and is also a certified life and health coach. Ford has been in various leadership positions, has been published and has attained numerous awards during her tenure in medicine.

Shannon King, BSN, BHA, RN, is the owner of Le Meilleur Beauty And Wellness in Norco, California. She recognizes her journey as a black woman in the world of aesthetics is a road not often traveled and looks forward to working with others to pave the way to improve outcomes for clients and providers of color. Her goal is to leave a lasting positive imprint on the world of aesthetics, improving diversity, equality and inclusion. In addition to growing her own medical spa, King offers coaching and consulting to other small business owners in need of assistance with “the B side”—business operations, business systems and compliance.

Marisa Amechi, RN, CANS, has been an aesthetic nurse for 10 years. She currently works in a private dermatology practice and is a clinical application specialist with Lumenis. She also is an aesthetic trainer, medical spa consultant, podcaster, published author and speaker. She is co-founder of Skin of Color Aesthetics, an initiative and online community dedicated to providing education regarding safe and effective aesthetic treatments for skin of color. She has a podcast for clinicians who are new to the aesthetic industry titled Illuminating the Path.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a dynamic force in the world of aesthetic medicine. As the vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and the founder of My Aesthetic Training, she seamlessly marries the expertise of a practitioner of medicine with that of a multi-site business operator. Siemens's journey into aesthetic medicine commenced as an operating room nurse specializing in facial plastic surgery. Through her diverse patient interactions, Taylor has honed a profound understanding of the aging process, fueling her skillset in crafting comprehensive, multi-modality treatment solutions that align seamlessly with patients' aesthetic objectives.

Vineet Sathe, MSN-RN, has more than six years of experience in the medical aesthetics space. In this time, "Nurse Vinny" has grown into a provocative and influential provider. After spending a year at the bedside in acute care, he quickly focused his career towards his passion, medical aesthetics, and began his career at Vitahl Medical Aesthetics. Here, he acquired his initial training in injectables, laser and RF modalities, body contouring and medical skin care under Tahl N. Humes, DO. He joined the SkinSpirit team in 2022 as a founding medical provider at SkinSpirit's first Colorado location in Denver.

Kimberly Evans, MD, FACOG, is an OB/GYN with 20 years of experience in feminine health. She has revolutionized her practice to specialize in treating women with sexual dysfunction, low libido and other feminine wellness issues. She offers surgical and non-surgical options to address common issues experienced by many women throughout the world. Dr. Evans looks forward to introducing new technology that has revolutionized women's health care and maximizing how they work together to get the best effect. She looks forward to everyday improving their lives and feminine function.

Timothy Hlavinka, MD, began his higher education at Texas A&M, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977. He graduated from medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch in 1984. He completed a Urology residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1991. His impressive training provided him with expertise and skills in reconstructive surgery and complex urological problems. His later focus is on innovative approaches to health care for men and women in a truly integrative fashion, drawing on the knowledge of multiple experts to solve complex health issues.

Daisy Ayim, MD, FAACS, FACOG, is triple board certified in facial and general body cosmetic surgery, as well as in OBGYN. She is the founder and owner of her solo private practice, Ayim Surgical Arts, based in Houston. Dr Ayim is an award-winning body contour expert and a key opinion leader in women’s health, wellness and beauty. She promotes sustainable cosmetic results through her holistic approach of addressing hormones, nutrition and exercise as cornerstones to client consultation during their cosmetic journey. Dr Ayim is a talented cosmetic surgeon and is highly sought-after, both domestically and internationally.

Steven Sorr, NMD, embodies the mind of a doctor and the heart of a healer. His meticulous approach to science and detailed account for biochemistry and anatomy merge with a patient-centered physician giving a unique experience to his medical spa, Source Of Health. After graduating from college in 2014, he dove into regenerative and functional medicine using PRP and stem cells for orthopedics using ultrasound-guided injection techniques. In 2016, he adapted regenerative medicine into aesthetics and his passion ignited, blending all his skills, talents and personality. Dr. Sorr is a national speaker, GAIN trainer and KOL for ultrasound-guided aesthetics and regenerative medicine.

Alex Thiersch, JD, is the Founder and CEO of the American Med Spa Association, and he is also a partner at the business, healthcare, and aesthetic law firm of ByrdAdatto. He has extensive experience representing industry professionals before state medical boards, and is one of the most sought after speakers in the country regarding matters of practice management and medical aesthetic law including conferences for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Global Aesthetics Conference, Vegas Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, The Medical Spa Show, and others.

Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, moved to Texas for high school and attended Baylor University, where she earned her BSN. She went straight to work at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, where she initially settled into vascular and trauma surgery. Deuber then went back to school at UCLA and got her CRNFA degree. She finally transitioned into plastic and reconstructive surgery and started working for a plastic surgeon who mentored her. Shortly thereafter, she met her husband, Mark Deuber, MD. Today, Cary works with Mark at their growing practice, Lemmon Avenue, which now has three locations.

Gretchen Frieling (“Dr. G”), MD, is an internationally recognized, Harvard-trained, triple board-certified dermatopathologist, with more than 18 years of experience in medicine, dermatopathology and aesthetics. She is the founder and owner of GFaceMD, a multimillion dollar medical aesthetic practice with locations in Boston and Cape Cod. She is also the founder of GFace Academy, The Soyier Skin Collection, and FACEit Virtual/Live. She is a global educator and trainer for many pharmaceutical companies, including GAIN/Galderma, Merz, Skinstylus, and Benev. She has been featured on numerous media outlets, including Yahoo, Oprah Magazine, Elle, Real Self, Bustle, MSN, Shape, NBC News and various radio stations.

With more than two decades of experience in aesthetics, Rana Kennelly, BSN, BCS, a certified aesthetic nurse specialist, brings a wealth of expertise to the field. In 2013, Kennelly founded The Confidence Lab, a hub dedicated to providing top-tier aesthetic training, which furnishes the next generation of aesthetic providers with candid, comprehensive and motivating education. The addition of The Confidence Bar, an exquisite boutique medical spa in Chicago, came in 2020; this is where Kennelly and her proficient team celebrate natural beauty through safe and experienced facial injectables. She is a speaker trainer for Allergan, Galderma, Revance, and PALETTE Resources.

Kiss Aesthetics founder, Medical Director and CEO, Kim Burke, APN, FNP-C, is no stranger to the aesthetic care field. She has trained and learned from the best in the aesthetic and plastic surgery industry; she also trains new injectors at Kiss Academy, her own private injectable training program. Burke has completed several professional training courses for assessments and consultations, dermal fillers, Sculptra and PDO thread lifts. In addition, she is a national trainer for the Galderma Aesthetic Injector Network (GAIN); she also trains for Revance and Prollenium.

Grace McLaurin, DMSc, PA-C, has a background is in general surgery, ER and women's health. While working in women's health, she became aware of the importance of being and looking healthy. In 2000, she began delving into aesthetic medicine with lasers, sclerotherapy and collagen. In 2006, she founded Vitality Anti-Aging Center, combining integrative health and aesthetics. She is a trainer and key thought leader for several companies. She founded Aesthetic Consulting & Training in 2010 and has focused on quality hands-on education. She not only trains, but also brings in master injectors from across the globe to teach small expert courses.

Jessica Henderson Rhee, PA-C, also known on Instagram as @jessicathelipqueen, is an international speaker, trainer and key opinion leader. She is the CEO and founder of Red Rabbit Aesthetics, a multimillion-dollar aesthetic practice located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Rhee was one of the first physician assistant injectors in New Jersey and has more than 15 years of experience in aesthetics. Rhee, also referred to as “The Lip Queen,” is one of the most sought-after injectors in New Jersey. She is known for her virtually painless injection technique, natural artistic ability, drive and dedication to her patients.

Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, CANS, is a family nurse practitioner who began her medical aesthetics career in 1999 when she founded Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics. She has a special interest in teaching safe injection techniques—she is a faculty speaker for Palette Resources, is a speaker/trainer for Allergan Medical Institute, and sits on Allergan, Galderma and Revance’s advisory boards. Kaplan is a published author for several medical journal articles and speaks at various international conventions. She also provides individual injection training workshops through her company, JBK Aesthetics.

With more than 18 years of plastic and reconstructive surgery experience, Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, is a top national aesthetic specialist. She is known for her non-surgical precision with laser treatments, advanced neuromodulator injections and facial mapping with a wide array of soft-tissue facial fillers. Safa has trained more than 5,000 aesthetic medical providers on advanced injection techniques and business development. For more than 17 years, Safa has served as a top trainer for Allergan's National Speaker's Bureau, in addition to serving as faculty for the Academy for Injection Anatomy, Revance Therapeutics, MTF Biologics, and Sciton Inc. She is the founder of Refined Aesthetics.

Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT, began working in the aesthetic field in 1999, supporting plastic surgeon Jerome Lamb, MD, in his surgery center and medical spa. Her passion for safe patient care combined with her talented aesthetic eye allowed her to develop expertise with aesthetic injections. In 2005, she joined a dermatology practice, treating patients in in the Kansas City area. This transition allowed her to add laser and skin care treatments to her menu of services. A trainer for Allergan since 2009, she also trains nationally for Aesthetic Advancements Institute. In October 2019, Cirese partnered with her daughter, Mary Katelyn Cirese, and opened Georgous Aesthetic Bar, Kansas City’s first aesthetic bar.

Owner of Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics, Bobbi Bullock, NP-C, has more than 27 years of experience. She is a top national trainer and speaker for Allergan Medical Institute (AMI) and is a key opinion leader, advisory board member and regular podium speaker at national aesthetic conferences. Bullock is the lead investigator for her clinical trial, “Predictability in Facial Asymmetry,” and she is currently patenting the unique findings. Additionally, she has a patent-pending lip injection technique called the Perfectly Predictable Pout that teaches injectors how to create a beautiful lip each time through a systematic process.

Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, has been in nursing since 1974, with an advanced practice degree since 1980. She is an educational/clinical GAIN trainer for Galderma, is a PALETTE faculty member, is co-faculty for the Academy of Injection Anatomy with Chris Surek, DO, FACS, and has maintained a clinical practice in the non-surgical cosmetic subspecialty field since 2004. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau since 1979 and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society since 2013.

Mark A. Deuber, MD is a husband, father, chef, businessman, entrepreneur and extremely experienced and talented plastic surgeon whose keen eye for design translates throughout his life passions including his work. He can look at a patient and know what is going to work to make him or her look amazing. Dr. Deuber loves to operate—being in the operating room is like his second home. Dr. Deuber’s aesthetic is classic. This is important, because it helps ensure a natural-looking result that will stand the test of time.

Steven F. Weiner, MD, is a board-certified head, neck and facial plastic surgeon. He interned and spent his residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he became an instructor for two years. In mid-2005, he laid down his scalpel and began concentrating his efforts in non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, creating The Aesthetic Clinique. Dr. Weiner divides his time between his practice, physician trainings and lectures. He has served on multiple advisory boards, participated in FDA trials and authored several clinical papers. He is world-renowned for his filler techniques using cannulas and his reJAWvenation procedure, which he performed on The Doctors.

George Baxter-Holder, ARNP, DNP, CANS, ISPAN-F has first-hand knowledge of how beauty-obsessed today’s Hollywood actors are. As a child actor in Hollywood he played the role of a genetically perfect boy on Star Trek: The Next Generation. His “bad boy” character made all around him start to age prematurely. In real life, George plays the “good guy” role. Trained as a board certified Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice, he helps patients reverse the signs of aging at SkinSpirit Medical Spa in Austin TX. Additionally, he is the most utilized trainer with Galderma Aesthetis and is also one of three faculty at Academy for Injection Anatomy with Chris Surek, MD. He holds a Doctorate from Duke University and a Masters from the University of Washington. And while he is no longer, “genetically perfect” he is working on aging well.

Linette Rivera, MD, is a double board-certified physician in internal medicine, as well as endocrinology and metabolism. She offers expert guidance in bioidentical hormone therapy and aesthetic medicine at her practice. She was one of the founders of Bella Mia Medical Aesthetics and Laser Institute in Tampa, Florida, and is now opening her new location, Glanz Aesthetics, in Miami. She believes each patient is unique and deserves a comprehensive, customized treatment plan that suits their needs and concerns. Being Hispanic, she has passionately learned about the different ethnic skin tones and how to treat them safely and effectively with different laser modalities.

Josie L. Tenore, MD, is a board-certified family physician who became interested in aesthetics during medical school. As a result, most of her electives focused on dermatology and plastic surgery. She began her practice with family medicine because she enjoyed the challenge of delivering comprehensive health and well-being to people of all ages. This unique combination led her to advocate a program of eating well, exercising and aesthetics for her patients. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the National Society of Cosmetic Physicians.

Julia Thorne, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC is a doctor of nursing practice, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and a legal nurse consultant, amassing nearly two decades of experience in the nursing domain. Her career has centered around regenerative, aesthetic and holistic nursing care. As a co-founder of the Beauty Barn in Canton, Georgia, Thorne has helped establish a highly successful practice. Her extensive nursing background, combined with her unwavering commitment to integrative health care, emphasizes her dedication to delivering top-notch, compassionate medical services that prioritize holistic well-being.

Lauren Olson, PA-C, is the owner and founder of Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness, Body by Radiance and Salon at Radiance in The Woodlands, Texas. She holds a B.S. in biomedical science from Texas A&M and a B.S. in medicine from the Baylor College of Medicine, and she is board certified by the NCCPA. Olson has practiced medicine since 1982 in the fields of internal medicine, endocrinology and family practice. In 1995, she began practicing clinical skin care and has expanded her practice to include advanced aesthetic skin care, anti-aging and functional medicine. Olson is a sought-after speaker and educator on health, wellness and medical aesthetics. She was honored by the Houston Federation of Professional Women in 2012 as a “Woman of Excellence” and has served as president of the Women’s Business Forum, president of the Women Former Students’ network at Texas A&M, and Chairman of the Board of the Cypress Symphony. She has served on the advisory board for Allergan Medical Aesthetics and is currently an Allergan Medical Institute national trainer.

Francine Young, RN, MEP-C, is an aesthetic nurse with a remarkable medical background and intuitive artistic eye. She provides cutting-edge aesthetic treatments that yield age-defying results without surgery. She specialized in non-invasive rejuvenating treatments to the face and body, such as PDO thread lifts, Botox, dermal fillers, lasers and skin enhancement treatments. With more than 15 years of aesthetic experience, she has treated thousands of patients worldwide. Skilled in meeting the full range of skin type, ethnicity and lifestyle needs, she mixes and matches technologies to bring out the natural beauty in each of her patients.

Lynn Nieman, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, and is the founder of Blossom Medical Aesthetics, PC, in Northern Virginia. Dr. Nieman trains new injectors who travel to her spa for education and enjoys teaching and sharing her years of patient care with those wanting to transition to aesthetic medicine. She is committed to enhancing and improving patient safety and safety standards, particularly in the areas of comfort measures, nerve blocks, numbing and topicals.

With more than 20 years of experience as a multi-specialty trained aesthetic physician, W. Christopher Croley, MD, FCCP, is a trusted name in the industry. He is the owner and operator of an esteemed aesthetic practice in Northern Florida, where he continues to provide top-notch care to his patients. Dr. Croley’s trained at the prestigious Rush and Northwestern Universities in Chicago. He is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, and, during his fellowship, he developed a keen eye for detail and a passion for educating adult learners in all aspects of medical care.

Amanda Holden, MD, is double board-certified in emergency medicine and medical aesthetics. She is the founder and CEO of Holden Timeless Beauty, a multi-location medical aesthetics practice in Southern California. She also co-founded the HTB Aesthetics Academy, which trains injectors in the art of minimally invasive injectables. She speaks as a faculty educator at medical aesthetics conferences nationally and tours nationally as the keynote speaker for the global device company BTL. In 2022, she joined the Galderma GAIN Business team to teach best practices to aesthetics practice owners nationwide. She has been featured on multiple podcasts, and has her own podcast titled Reveal the Appeal.

Ken Winnard, MD, is an internal medicine-trained physician with a background working as a hospitalist. After years of seeing patients with chronic illnesses that could have been prevented with early detection, he decided to form his own preventative medicine and aesthetics practice, OneLife Health & Performance. Dr. Winnard has mastered the art of age management from the inside out. He combines health and lifestyle intervention with customized aesthetic care plans to keep patients looking and feeling like their youngest, most confident selves.

LaTasha Walker, BSN, RN, is the founder of La-Mon'e Aesthetics, with Glenn Rosen, MD, serving as medical director. Walker started her career as a cosmetologist focusing on hair care and skin care. After nine years, she returned to school to pursue her nursing degree. Walker has been a registered nurse for more than 10 years. She has worked in various fields, from pediatrics to the operating room. Walker strives to bring education and safe aesthetics treatments to all skin types.

Bradford E. Adatto is a partner at ByrdAdatto, a national business and health care boutique law firm with offices in Dallas and Chicago. His background is in regulatory, transactional and securities law. Having worked in health care law his entire career, he has an in-depth knowledge of the “dos and don’ts” of this heavily regulated industry. Brad has worked with physicians, physician groups, and other medical service providers in developing ambulatory surgical centers, in-office and freestanding ancillary service facilities, and other medical joint ventures.

Michael S. Byrd, JD, is a leading advocate for doctors and dentists throughout the United States. He routinely lectures at continuing medical education seminars on the various business and legal issues that medical professionals face. Outside of health care, Byrd has used these same skills to handle sensitive and complicated business matters for entrepreneurs, business owners, attorneys, CPAs, high-net-worth individuals and public figures. With his background as both a litigator and transactional attorney, Byrd brings a comprehensive perspective to business and healthcare issues.

Jay D. Reyero grew up playing team sports and sees himself as an integral part of his client’s team when they engage him. He truly respects those with whom he works, and he always gives maximum effort for the benefit of the team. As a member of the firm, he is responsive and respectful, striving to make sure each client receives the full attention they deserve. Jay enjoys solving problems, and is adept at listening and asking the right questions. He can communicate complex issues effectively, helping clients understand and feel comfortable with the course of action required. He has a background as both a litigator and transactional attorney, bringing a unique and balanced perspective to the firm’s clients.

Jay’s practice focuses on the representation of business clients, with health care being the core of his practice. His health care and regulatory expertise involves the counseling and advising of physicians, physician groups, other medical service providers and non-professionals. Specific areas of expertise include Federal and State health care regulations and how they impact investments, transactions and various contractual arrangements, particularly in the areas of Federal and State anti-referral, anti-kickback and HIPAA compliance.

Jay has been selected as a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers, a Best Lawyer in Dallas in health care by D Magazine, and a Best Lawyer.

Jeffrey J. Segal, MD, JD, was a neurosurgeon in private practice before beginning the second phase of his career as a serial entrepreneur in the health care field. He then founded or co-founded four separate health care startups. He lives and breathes health care and understands it viscerally. Dr. Segal founded Medical Justice, which touched on so many medico-legal issues, and also runs eMerit, which helps doctors control their online reputation through patient feedback. 

Ben Hernandez is a partner at Skytale Group who specializes in strategic management consulting for various service industries. He also offers his clients corporate-level financial analysis and guidance. As a co-founder of Skytale Group, Ben is passionate about leading an organization that people are proud to work with. He serves his clients not only with years of experience and service industry expertise, but also through upholding the Skytale core values of integrity, excellence, teamwork, and fun. He loves to help small business owners achieve their dreams, aspirations, and visions. Previously, Ben has worked with an international investment banking group, a financial services and advisory institution, a hedge fund, and CPA and advisory firms.

Jessica Nunn founded Maven Financial Partners with a vision to make strategic financial advice accessible to every small business owner. She provides clients with financial solutions that can change their business for the better, which can change their lives. Throughout Nunn's years of experience, she has focused on building meaningful relationships with clients. At Maven, she serves small business owners in many sectors. She commits to learning a business as well as the owner does, mapping a plan to help a business perform at its full potential, and building a team at Maven who can serve clients in the same way.

Laura Alvarez began her professional marketing career working for ad agencies in Utah and Brazil. She was introduced to medical aesthetics in 2016 when she helped a medical spa client plan their annual open house. Watching the live demos, the presentation and the innovative treatments intrigued her. Today, Alvarez has seven years of experience in medical aesthetics. As the marketing manager at Aesthetica, she leads a team of three and is responsible for lead generation for 12 providers. Alvarez has her finger on the pulse of market changes, Google updates and new trending treatments.

Ryan McElwain is a digital marketing veteran with more than 11 years of experience. While he launched his career with a focus in automotive, McElwain has since made a name for himself helping healthcare providers and medical spa owners across the U.S. grow their businesses through online tactics. While always emphasizing the importance of SEO and PPC, he now runs a multi-disciplinary search and social experts team at DoctorLogic.

Katlin Cauffman is a strategic consultant and the founder of Diamond Accelerator. She has been deep in the medical aesthetics industry implementing systems-driven marketing and sales strategies for more than a decade. She understands not only the psychology behind the target patient, but also the medical aesthetic practice owners themselves and their teams. Her data-driven approach and proven results help medical aesthetic practices across the country increase their brand visibility, patients and profits, as well as create the lifestyle freedom they desire.

Jared Rohrer is the CEO of Aesthetic Conversion, a web agency that specializes in serving the medical spa and plastic surgery community. With seven years of experience in the industry, Rohrer has become a recognized thought leader in the field, regularly speaking at conferences. He is also a key opinion leader for Galderma and Revision Skincare, companies known for their innovative and effective aesthetic products.

Adam Fichman, the owner and founder of Lifted Logic and a serial entrepreneur, has been working with computers since floppies were floppy and data was on tapes. His day-to-day consists of growing business for Lifted Logic, which specializes in all things digital media, design, development and marketing for the web. To date, Lifted Logic has designed hundreds of websites in the Kansas City area and worked with thousands of clients. Fichman is a keynote speaker at conferences all across the world. His stage presence is memorable and his passion for educating the audience is impactful.

Michelle Balbi, CRNP, has been practicing as an aesthetic nurse specialist for 17 years. Her clinical background includes acute and critical care nursing. Her career in cosmetic surgery has given her a strong foundation to practice as an expert aesthetic specialist. During that time, she has worked alongside many of the leaders in the aesthetic field. Balbi has experience in the cutting edge of advancements in the ever-changing aesthetic world. She is skilled in providing non-surgical alternatives to restore a refreshed, younger appearance.

Christopher Balbi has been thriving and surviving in the medical spa market for 15 years. He opened Meesha Aesthetics with one injector, one esthetician, one room and 125 followers on instagram. Nowadays, he manages five locations and 56 employees (24 providers) and has more than 27,000 Followers on Instagram (@BotoxByMeesha) and 72,000 on TikTok, but his real bread and butter is the cultivated community of 19,000 clients who receive his emails and text messages (with RepeatMD's help).

Megan Cheatham, FNP-C, APRN, has a love for skin care that was established in her school-age years during her annual dermatologist visits. From then on, she understood the importance of skin maintenance. Along with her love of dermatology, Cheatham has always had a natural inclination to the arts. Her favorite treatment combinations include Botox with cheek and lip filler, along with Sculptra and lasers, which she says are foundational to youthfulness.

Haley Rome, FNP-C, APRN, is an expert in facial balancing. With a focus on providing the best treatment mix to achieve facial harmony—including toxin and filler treatments—she strives to help others feel more confident and ready to take on the day.

Maneeha Mahmood has more than four years of medical spa experience in the competitive, saturated market of Northern New Jersey. Previously, she spent a decade in corporate banking at Bank of America, where she analyzed the financial health and solvency of her portfolio companies, giving her a unique perspective on business operations. Thereafter, she joined Ernst & Young in New York, where she served in the business development group of the consulting arm. In 2016, Mahmood obtained her MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, with a concentration in strategy.

Courtney Anderson is the host of The Glow Boss Podcast, an inspiring mentor, and the founder/CEO of Spa Trouvé, a full-service medical spa with five locations in Utah. She discovered her passion for the medical spa industry when she started her practice back in 2011, and she's been able to expand her brand across the state. Her goal is to take her brand nationwide and to influence as many people as possible for the better. Anderson believes that the things you are passionate about are not random, but your calling.

The process of bringing House of Preservation to life was a combined effort of lifelong friends Brittany Ricketts and Rylie Bland. They embarked on their journey by enrolling in aesthetician and laser school, where they launched their blog, House of Preservation, as a platform to educate like-minded skin care junkies. In 2019, Ricketts and Bland made the leap from the digital-scape to the real world with their first brick-and-mortar location in Dallas and expanded with an Austin, Texas, location in spring 2023.

The process of bringing the House of Preservation to life was a combined effort of lifelong friends Brittany Ricketts and Rylie Bland. They embarked on their journey by enrolling in aesthetician and laser school, where they launched their blog, House of Preservation, as a platform to educate like-minded skincare junkies. In 2019, Ricketts and Bland made the leap from the digital scape to the real world with their first brick-and-mortar location in Dallas and expanded with an Austin, Texas, location in spring 2023.

Jessica Cipriano, RN, is founder of the Institute for Aesthetic Excellence and an aesthetic RN and former clinical director of McKinzie Aesthetics Center. She began her career as an aesthetic nurse in 2017, providing both injectable services and laser device treatments to patients. Her love for women and for education allowed her to gain notoriety in the industry within her first year. In 2019, she assumed the role of clinical director at McKinzie Aesthetics Center in Edmond, Oklahoma. In 2022, Cipriano began training new and intermediate level injectors and aesthetic providers on best practices in aesthetic medicine, specifically focusing on neurotoxin, filler, IPL, radiofrequency microneedling, lasers, vaginal treatments and surgical skin tightening devices. In 2023, Jessica founded the Institute for Aesthetic Excellence in pursuit of creating a space under which providers would be trained under the pillars of ethics, quality, and safety.

Taylor Siemens, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner recognized by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is a dynamic force in the world of aesthetic medicine. As the vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and the founder of My Aesthetic Training, she seamlessly marries the expertise of a practitioner of medicine with that of a multi-site business operator. Siemens's journey into aesthetic medicine commenced as an operating room nurse specializing in facial plastic surgery. Through her diverse patient interactions, Taylor has honed a profound understanding of the aging process, fueling her skillset in crafting comprehensive, multi-modality treatment solutions that align seamlessly with patients' aesthetic objectives.

Sahar Saghezchi is the founder of Cupertino Dental & Facial Esthetics, a Bay Area medical spa specializing in all aspects of non-surgical medical aesthetics, intimacy wellness, and overall beauty and wellness. She started in plastic surgery as a patient care coordinator working with some of the top plastic surgeons in the Bay Area. She moved into consulting, assisting medical spas' growth and expansion. Her passion for aesthetics and her background in practice growth led her to help expand her father’s cosmetic dental practice with the addition of the medical aesthetics side, Cupertino Facial Esthetics. Saghezchi also recently completed a nursing program.

Alex Thiersch, JD, is the Founder and CEO of the American Med Spa Association, and he is also a partner at the business, healthcare, and aesthetic law firm of ByrdAdatto. He has extensive experience representing industry professionals before state medical boards, and is one of the most sought after speakers in the country regarding matters of practice management and medical aesthetic law including conferences for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Global Aesthetics Conference, Vegas Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, The Medical Spa Show, and others.

Bryan Durocher is the author of Wake Up… Live the Life You Love… in Beauty, and is the founder of Essentials Spa Consulting and Durocher Enterprises. Durocher was named one of the “Top 20 People to Know in the Beauty Industry” by Global Cosmetic Industry magazine and provides coaching, consulting, global industry trends and marketing solutions for medical spa, spa and industry professionals internationally. Durocher Enterprises has been published in many articles and has provided business education internationally at a variety of national and international industry events.

George Baxter-Holder, ARNP, DNP, CANS, ISPAN-F has first-hand knowledge of how beauty-obsessed today’s Hollywood actors are. As a child actor in Hollywood he played the role of a genetically perfect boy on Star Trek: The Next Generation. His “bad boy” character made all around him start to age prematurely. In real life, George plays the “good guy” role. Trained as a board certified Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice, he helps patients reverse the signs of aging at SkinSpirit Medical Spa in Austin TX. Additionally, he is the most utilized trainer with Galderma Aesthetis and is also one of three faculty at Academy for Injection Anatomy with Chris Surek, MD. He holds a Doctorate from Duke University and a Masters from the University of Washington. And while he is no longer, “genetically perfect” he is working on aging well.

Bradford E. Adatto is a partner at ByrdAdatto, a national business and health care boutique law firm with offices in Dallas and Chicago. His background is in regulatory, transactional and securities law. Having worked in health care law his entire career, he has an in-depth knowledge of the “dos and don’ts” of this heavily regulated industry. Brad has worked with physicians, physician groups, and other medical service providers in developing ambulatory surgical centers, in-office and freestanding ancillary service facilities, and other medical joint ventures.

As a Strategic Advisor of Aesthetics for Skytale Group, Judy Kozlicki’s extensive experience gives her a deep understanding of the aesthetic space. She gets to know each client’s practice individually, identifies the opportunities for growth, adapts best practices and works alongside owners to bring their vision to fruition. Kozlicki was a senior consultant at KZA & Associates before joining Skytale Group. Prior to that, she served as the president of Pinnacle Cosmetic and COO/CCO of Omni Cosmetic, where she played an active role in guiding the strategic vision and rapid growth. Kozlicki also served as the executive director for two private plastic and cosmetic surgery practices; during her time, she helped the owners rebuild their teams and introduced new service lines and technology, which refueled revenue production resulting in increased stability and profitability for the practices. From 2010 to 2015, Kozlicki led the national expansion of LifeTime Fitness’ medical spa business. While serving as the national manager of skin care and medical aesthetics, she opened 33 medical spa locations in 20 states.

James Turcott is a partner at Skytale Group who excels at simplifying the way clients view the financial performance of their business. Through numerous types of reporting and models, James ensures clients understand what the data actually means. When provided accurate and timely data, clients can confidently make necessary adjustments to their business and capitalize on new opportunities.

Cathy Christensen is the President and chief operating officer of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) and has been with the company since its infancy, joining as director of operations in 2013. Prior to this, she worked in the publishing industry, where she began as an editorial assistant and transitioned into her second career in operations of AmSpa after climbing the ladder to become the editor-in-chief of Skin Inc. magazine and the conference director of the Face & Body events. Christensen has contributed to AmSpa’s significant growth since 2013, and oversees team members who specialize in marketing, membership, sales, events, legal, and content. She prides herself in her ability to embrace challenges and persevere, and even have a little fun while doing i.

Ryan McElwain is a digital marketing veteran with more than 11 years of experience. While he launched his career with a focus in automotive, McElwain has since made a name for himself helping healthcare providers and medical spa owners across the U.S. grow their businesses through online tactics. While always emphasizing the importance of SEO and PPC, he now runs a multi-disciplinary search and social experts team at DoctorLogic.

Sahar Saghezchi is the founder of Cupertino Dental & Facial Esthetics, a Bay Area medical spa specializing in all aspects of non-surgical medical aesthetics, intimacy wellness, and overall beauty and wellness. She started in plastic surgery as a patient care coordinator working with some of the top plastic surgeons in the Bay Area. She moved into consulting, assisting medical spas' growth and expansion. Her passion for aesthetics and her background in practice growth led her to help expand her father’s cosmetic dental practice with the addition of the medical aesthetics side, Cupertino Facial Esthetics. Saghezchi also recently completed a nursing program.

Bradford E. Adatto, JD, has a background in regulatory, transactional, and securities law. Having worked in healthcare law his entire career, he has an in-depth knowledge of the “dos and don’ts” of this heavily regulated industry. Adatto has worked with physicians, physician groups, and other medical service providers in developing ambulatory surgical centers, in-office and freestanding ancillary service facilities, and other medical joint ventures. He regularly counsels clients with respect to federal and state healthcare regulations that impact investments, transactions, and contract terms, including Medicare fraud and abuse, anti-trust, anti-kickback, anti-referral, and private securities laws.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, an intrinsic sense of curiosity and a keen eye for details led Sam Pondrom, JD, to work as an accountant for two Engineering News-Record top 40 construction firms. It was there that he honed his ability to analyze complex problems and craft clear, concise answers. Utilizing these skills, Pondrom works in partnership with clients addressing their complex business and healthcare regulatory issues in the most simple, straightforward way. He lectures to doctors and other providers throughout the country at medical conferences on a myriad of issues dealing with the business of medicine. Pondrom also regularly teaches and trains other attorneys in both accredited and non-accredited continuing education courses on healthcare law.

Jay E. Minton, JD, carries a three-dimensional view of the legal risks for a business. He began his legal career working for the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, assisting judges in shaping the law through legal research and drafting court opinions. Minton then added perspective during his time as a litigator, seeing the real-life experiences that businesses face when engaged in a contract or business dispute. Now, he combines his experiences from inside the court system and as a litigator to help clients navigate the various business and health care risks confronting a business.

Alex Thiersch, JD, is the Founder and CEO of the American Med Spa Association, and he is also a partner at the business, healthcare, and aesthetic law firm of ByrdAdatto. He has extensive experience representing industry professionals before state medical boards, and is one of the most sought after speakers in the country regarding matters of practice management and medical aesthetic law including conferences for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Global Aesthetics Conference, Vegas Cosmetic Surgery, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, The Medical Spa Show, and others.

Patrick O’Brien, JD is the Legal Coordinator for the American Med Spa Association. Patrick’s practice focuses on state and federal health care laws and regulations, and legislative developments in health care primarily for the aesthetic industry. He provides educational and informational resources to AmSpa’s members to help them navigate their state’s regulatory landscape and assisting AmSpa in its legislative efforts.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University, an intrinsic sense of curiosity and a keen eye for details led Sam Pondrom, JD, to work as an accountant for two Engineering News-Record top 40 construction firms. It was there that he honed his ability to analyze complex problems and craft clear, concise answers. Utilizing these skills, Pondrom works in partnership with clients addressing their complex business and healthcare regulatory issues in the most simple, straightforward way. He lectures to doctors and other providers throughout the country at medical conferences on a myriad of issues dealing with the business of medicine. Pondrom also regularly teaches and trains other attorneys in both accredited and non-accredited continuing education courses on healthcare law.