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Symposium Program

The Business of Launching Your Practice

A comprehensive two-day program designed to guide residents through every aspect of starting and growing a successful aesthetic practice. Learn from industry experts and connect with peers in an intensive, practical curriculum.
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Residents' Symposium Program

September 13-14, 2025 All times Central Time

Saturday, September 13

7:30–7:40

Welcome - The Business of Launching Your Practice

Ashley Gordon, MD

Troy Pittman, MD

7:40–7:45

The Aesthetic Society Welcome & Updates

Tracy Pfeifer, MD - President, The Aesthetic Society

What Path Should I Take? Academics, Hospital Employment or Private Practice?

Moderator: Ashley Gordon, MD

7:45–8:05

How to Find Your Perfect Job

Jordan Frey, MD

8:05–8:25

Starting Practice with Zero Patients and a Shoestring Budget: How to Survive the First 6 Months

Josh Waltzman, MD

8:25–8:45

Practicing Aesthetic Surgery as an Employed Plastic Surgeon

Neil Tanna, MD

8:45–9:05

Lessons in Starting Your Own Practice: Successes, Failures & Events Out of Your Control

Babis Rammos, MD

9:05–9:25

From Academics to Private Practice - Is the Grass Greener?

Troy Pittman, MD

9:25–9:45

Discussion

9:45–10:15

Coffee Networking Break

Building Your Aesthetic Practice

Moderator: Troy Pittman, MD

10:15–10:45

Building Your Aesthetic Practice

Amy Anderson, MBA

10:45–11:05

Perfecting the Patient Experience

Ashley Gordon, MD

11:05–11:25

100 Things I Wish I Knew Before Opening a Solo Aesthetic Practice

Renee Burke, MD

11:25–11:45

Successfully Negotiating Your First Contract

Jordan Frey, MD

11:45–12:00

Partnering with a Non-Plastic Surgeon

Troy Pittman, MD

12:00–12:15

Discussion

12:15–1:15

Lunch

Diversifying Your Practice and Yourself

Moderator: Ashley Gordon, MD

1:15–1:30

Building a Busy Practice in Small Town USA

Babis Rammos, MD

1:30–1:45

Should I Work With Industry?

Johnny Franco, MD

1:45–2:00

Embracing the Non-Surgical Part of Your Practice - Skincare and Devices

Renee Burke, MD

2:00–2:15

Integrating Breast Reconstruction Into Your Aesthetic Practice

Neil Tanna, MD

2:15–2:35

Choosing the Right Policy: Malpractice 101 for Future Surgeons

Jennifer Wiggins

2:35–3:00

Discussion

3:00–3:20

Coffee Networking Break

3:20–4:20

Practice Start Up Panel - Rapid Fire Q&A

Moderator: Amy Anderson, MBA

Panelists:

Ashley Gordon, MD Troy Pittman, MD Renee Burke, MD Babis Rammos, MD Josh Waltzman, MD Johnny Franco, MD

Building a Great Team

Moderator: Amy Anderson, MBA

4:20–4:35

Hiring an All-Star Team

Amy Anderson, MBA

4:35–4:55

How to Handle Disgruntled / Disruptive Employees

Amy Anderson, MBA

4:55–5:15

How to Handle Unhappy and Litigious Patients

Jennifer Wiggins

5:15–5:30

Discussion

5:30

Adjourn

Sunday, September 14

7:30–7:35

The Aesthetic Foundation Welcome and Updates

Patricia McGuire, MD - Foundation President

Billing & Compensation

Moderator: Troy Pittman, MD

7:35–7:50

Working with Health Insurance; The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Neil Tanna, MD

7:50–8:05

Insurance Billing 101 for Plastic Surgeons

Amy Anderson, MBA

8:05–8:20

Understanding Compensation; RVU Model (Recon vs Aesthetics)

Neil Tanna, MD

8:20–8:35

Overhead, Overhead, Overhead - What Are All of the Costs Associated with Running a Practice?

Josh Waltzman, MD

Finance & Accounting

Moderator: Jordan Frey, MD

8:35–8:50

Steps to Financial Freedom for Young Physicians

Jordan Frey, MD

8:50–9:05

Tax & Retirement Strategies

Lawrence Keller, CFP

9:05–9:20

Life Insurance & Disability Insurance

Lawrence Keller, CFP

Legal & Regulatory

Moderator: Jennifer Wiggins

9:20–9:35

Setting Up a Corporation

Brad Adatto, Esq.

9:35–9:50

Corporate Compliance in Medicine - What Does It Mean?

Brad Adatto, Esq.

9:50–10:05

Beyond the Basics: Real-World Coverage Scenarios Every Aesthetic Surgeon Should Understand

Jennifer Wiggins

10:05–10:20

Malpractice - Plaintiff Perspective

Chris Nuland, Esq.

10:20–10:35

Malpractice - Defendant Perspective

Speaker TBD

Speaker to be determined

10:35–10:50

Discussion

10:50–11:00

Coffee Networking Break

Ancillary Services & Expansion

Moderator: Ashley Gordon, MD

11:00–11:20

When & How to Cautiously Scale Your Practice

Johnny Franco, MD

11:20–11:35

Expansion Always in All Ways

Troy Pittman, MD

11:35–11:45

Software Essentials for a Plastic Surgery Practice

Amy Anderson, MBA

11:45–12:00

Discussion

12:00–1:00

Lunch Break

Marketing & Social Media

Moderator: Troy Pittman, MD

1:00–1:25

10 Strategies to Set Your Future Self Up for Success Online

Ryan Miller

1:25–1:45

Data-Driven Advice for AI Search, Social, Blogs & Google Ads

Ryan Miller

1:45–1:55

How to Break into a Highly Competitive Market & Stay There

Kelly Killeen, MD

1:55–2:15

Making Your Brand Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Troy Pittman, MD

2:15–2:35

Knocking It Out of the Park with Social Media

Kelly Killeen, MD

2:35–3:00

Discussion

3:00–3:30

Rapid Fire Panels

Panel Moderators:

Ashley Gordon, MD Troy Pittman, MD Johnny Franco, MD Kelly Killeen, MD Amy Anderson, MBA Jennifer Wiggins Brad Adatto, Esq.

Topics:

  • Should I buy the device? Which one? How to negotiate?
  • Should I build my own or use a Surgery Center?
  • Should I be a MedSpa Director?
  • What about joining an established / superstar practice?
3:30–3:50

Discussion

3:50–4:00

How to Join the Aesthetic Society

Troy Pittman, MD

4:00

Adjourn

Ready to Launch Your Career?

This intensive program provides the business foundation you need to successfully transition from residency to practice ownership. Register today to secure your spot in this transformative educational experience.

Register Now