How do you choose a safe med spa in Miami? This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with double board-certified physician Linette Rivera, MD, founder of Glanz Aesthetics in Miami. They discuss what patients should know about medical spa regulations, safety and training; her experience transitioning to aesthetics as an endocrinologist; and how med spas can educate their patients and the wider community. Their conversation includes:

• What patients should know about med spa laws in their state;
• How the FDA and aesthetic regulations keep patients safe;
• The questions patients should ask their practitioners;
• Red flags in products, pricing and providers;
• Aesthetic training and responsible medical directors;
• The misconception of aesthetics in the medical community;
• And much more!

Read further insights from Dr. Rivera and fellow aesthetic practitioners on the AmSpa blog: https://americanmedspa.org/blog/what-to-look-for-in-a-safe-med-spa-visit

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This week, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Bri Collins, BSN, RN, founder of BCRN Aesthetics in Houston, Texas. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:

• How she became an AmSpa member;
• Advice she would give her younger self;
• Being a trainer and practitioner;
• Favorite treatments;
• Networking on IG;
• And much more!

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This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, top national aesthetic specialist, faculty for the Academy for Injection Anatomy, and founder of Refined Aesthetics. They discuss proactive techniques for preventing and managing aesthetic complications. Safa offers insight on the anatomy training you need to perform treatments safely, active listening as a patient safety tool, and the necessity of having a plan in place. Their conversation includes:

• The story of her first complication and how she has retained that patient;
• The intimacy of the facial anatomy you need to understand to inject;
• Building your network to share knowledge, experience and support;
• What to do when your patient experiences an adverse event;
• Three factors that help mitigate the risk of complication;
• Informed consent: your responsibility to educate patients;
• Essential anatomy education and technique training;
• What she keeps in her crash kit;
• And much more!

For more case examples and in-depth discussion on the most advanced techniques in complication prevention and reversal, tune in to the filler complications panel at the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA) Advanced Cadaver Courses in Houston, New York, Nashville and Orlando.

Listen to the medical malpractice episode referenced in this conversation: https://podcast.americanmedspa.org/e/avoiding-medical-malpractice-lawsuits-with-patient-advocate-law-firm-sukhmanyagoda/

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This week, we revisit our conversation with George Baxter-Holder, DNP, ARNP, CANS, renowned aesthetic trainer and chair of the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council (AASC). In this wide-ranging talk, he covers:

• The AASC looking at the practice guidelines with fresh eyes;
• The priorities when fine-tuning the practice guidelines;
• Determining the intent of practice guidelines;
• Looking at the practice guidelines as a position statement rather than a policy statement;
• Coming to a consensus on minimum standards for medical aesthetic practices;
• Trying to define “medical director,” including training and qualifications;
• The resiliency of medical spa industry during COVID-19;
• His involvement with the Academy for Injection Anatomy; and
• The benefits of getting a hands-on, 3D view of anatomy for injectors.

See here for more information on the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council. See here for more information on the Academy for Injection Anatomy.

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This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Janie Futch, BSN, RN, and Martina Kolovich, MSN, NP-C, co-owners of Altera Aesthetix in Savannah, Georgia. They discuss how they grew their medical aesthetic practice from two girls in a living room to a rebranded franchise, including the investment they made in training, their approach to the Savannah market and their mission to empower women business owners. Their conversation includes:

• How they built their careers in aesthetics without sacrificing family time;
• The capital, time and patient volume invested in their first year of injectable training;
• Why the natural approach to treatment helps them retain patients;
• Their decision to rebrand from Refine Medical Aesthetics to Altera Aesthetix;
• How their franchise model ensures compliance with medical aesthetic regulations;
• Their excitement and goals for the future of AmSpa’s state chapters;
• And more!

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This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, director of medical spa partnerships at Podium. They talk about Podium’s new HIPAA compliant AI patient coordinator, discussing how it leverages technology to understand your brand, manage leads and communicate based on the long-term needs of your medical spa. Their conversation includes:

• Introducing Podium’s new 24/7 AI employee, Avery;
• How they train Avery to know every detail of your medical spa;
• Speed to lead: managing leads long-term and reengaging at set intervals;
• How Avery deescalates and empathizes when handling bad outcomes;
• Future plans to integrate with the leading aesthetic EMR systems;
• How Podium’s new relationship with AmSpa strengthens the industry;
• And more!

Listen back to hear more about Podium’s automated text marketing solutions in this previous episode: Using AI to Reach Your Leads Faster.

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This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Melissa Rogne, founder and president of Chapter Aesthetic Studio. AmSpa was welcomed into the Chicago headquarters of Chapter Aesthetic Studio and The Aspen Group for an inside tour to see first-hand Melissa’s professional growth and the rapid expansion of Chapter. They reflect on a conversation at the start of this partnership as they discuss how Melissa is recreating her beloved brand at a much larger scale, attracting consumers as they take the leap into aesthetic care, and building a brand that is synonymous with safety and trust. Their conversation includes:

• How they execute a 14-week timeline to open 10 locations in a year;
• Chapter University’s learning and development resources;
• Key markers for success and how she thinks about these differently;
• Learning to be successful as a leader within a corporate organization;
• Team dynamics, chemistry and creating team culture vs. star individuals;
• Removing barriers to care and building trust for aesthetic naïve patients;
• And much more!

Listen back to our conversation with Melissa in 2021, when her partnership with The Aspen Group first began: From Small-market Medical Spa to Acquisition to Expansion

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This week, AmSpa Membership Engagement and Advocacy Specialist Michela Bailey, speaks with Carthy Craft, founder and owner, Esse MedSpa + Premier Permanent Makeup. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:

• How she became an AmSpa member;
• Favorite travel spots;
• Favorite treatments;
• And much more!

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