This WebClinic was recorded live on April 29, 2025, and is approximately 2 hours

Topic:  Timeline for Starting a Practice within One Year: Developing an Action Plan
Speakers: Angel Morales, MD, FAACS, and Emilio Justo, MD, FAACS

Description

Are you a physician or surgeon ready to break free from employment and take control of your career? Starting your own medical or cosmetic surgery practice can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can build a thriving, independent practice that offers financial freedom, professional autonomy, and lasting success.

Join Dr. Emilio Justo and Dr. Angel Morales for a high-impact webinar that will walk you through every critical step—from selecting the right business model to navigating regulatory hurdles, staffing your office, setting up a surgery center, and mastering patient acquisition.

What You’ll Gain:

• A clear roadmap to starting and growing a profitable medical or cosmetic surgery practice
• Expert guidance on avoiding costly mistakes and financial pitfalls
• Actionable strategies for building a strong team, streamlining operations, and leveraging technology
• Marketing insights to attract high-value patients and create a lasting brand
• Insider tips on what no one tells you before starting a practice

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experience, sidestep common pitfalls, and gain the confidence to launch your own successful practice. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced physician looking to transition into private practice, this webinar will equip you with the tools and knowledge to turn your vision into reality.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the activity, the learner should be able to:

1. Describe the essential steps in starting a medical or cosmetic surgery practice, including choosing a practice model, business planning, and legal/financial setup. 
2. Analyze different practice models (solo, group, partnership) and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages in the context of personal goals and market demands. 
3. Implement best practices in hiring, office setup, technology integration, and patient acquisition to establish an efficient and profitable practice. 
4. Distinguish key regulatory requirements, including licensing, accreditation, and compliance standards, to ensure legal and ethical operation of their practice. 
5. Create a strategic marketing and patient retention plan using digital branding, social media, and referral networks to attract and retain patients.

Target Audience

Practitioners in the field of cosmetic surgery including, but not limited to, dermatology, general surgery, and plastic/reconstructive surgery.

Registration Required

Instructions for accessing the webinar will be provided immediately upon registration.

Registration Fees

• $60 - AACS Member (Resident)*
• $60 - AACS Member (Training Fellow)*
• $60 - AACS Member (Physician or Allied Health)
• $120 - Non-Member Practitioner

*Residents and training fellows - After adding the course to your cart, use the coupon code in your renewal confirmation letter to bring the price to $0. If you need assistance, please email AACS headquarters.

CME Credit

This is a non-CME course

About the Speakers

Dr. Angel M. Morales Gonzalez was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and attended medical school at the Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, TecSalud. Dr. Morales completed his General Surgery training at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso Surgery Department. He later completed a one-year Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) at Marvel Cosmetic Surgery in Nashville, TN. Dr. Morales is board-certified in both General Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), respectively. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (FAACS). He is also currently a Trustee of the American Board of Surgery and Co-Chair of the Written Exam Committee for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. In 2023, Dr. Morales opened his practice, Wish Cosmetic Surgery, in Houston, TX. He also works at Top Aesthetics in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and the Houston Lipo Center in Houston, TX.

Dr. Emilio M. Justo, a Cuban refugee turned trailblazing ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon, has built a legacy of excellence over three decades. Specializing in refractive cataract surgery and CO2 laser blepharoplasty, he has performed nearly 50,000 procedures since founding the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center near Phoenix in 1989. By the age of 23, he graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing his ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery residency by 27, and establishing his private practice shortly thereafter. Justo is also a globally celebrated two-time TEDx speaker. His 2023 talk, "Delayed Gratification: Your Superpower to Success," became the third most-viewed TEDx video thatyear. His follow-up 2024 talk, "The Obsession Advantage to Unprecedented Success," was ranked the #1 Global TEDxTalk for 2024 captivating audiences worldwide, with both talks garnering a combined total of over 10 million views.