Medical Spa Insider

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gretchen Frieling, MD, of GfaceMD; Christal Parker, FNP-C, APRN, of Savvy Beauty and Wellness; Blakelee Paige Smith, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C, of Skin + Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Molly Bailey, PA-C, of Face Forward Aesthetics. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conf...

This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, founder of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique. They chat about how she uses artificial intelligence to reclaim her time and how AI automations are transforming the future of medical spas. Everybody needs to know and understand AI, Dr. Jones says—start here! How AI has been a game-changer in her business; Th...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from W. Chistopher Croley, MD, of Skin & Tonic; Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, of Lemmon Avenue; George Baxter-Holder, DNP, APRN, CANS, of SkinSpirit; Katie Duke, NP-BC, of KD Creative; Riley Worth, NP, of Elase Medical Spa; and Nicole Gregory of Urban You. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn...

This week, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Randi Boyette, PhD, CEO of Spark Medical Marketing and CMO of NewBeauty, to explore her inspiring career journey and vision for the future of the medical aesthetics industry. As Corporate Development Advisor at AmSpa, she shares her passion for elevating the industry by focusing on compliance, culture, and collaboration. Tune in to hear about making you...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kim Burke, APN, FNP-C, of Kiss Aesthetics; Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, CANS, of Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics; Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique; Josie Tenore, MD, of Trevi Longevity & Aesthetics; and Audrey Neff, of PatientNow. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference att...

What is a realistic investment from seed to success? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ashley James, CEO of DermAesthetic Consulting and MedSpa Mobile Solutions. They discuss the financial must-knows when opening a medical spa for the first time. Their conversation includes: The unique challenges of running an aesthetic business; Hidden costs that could derail you...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Erika Barry, NP-C, of Resculpt Aesthetics; Savanna Boda, LE, of Savanna Boda Aesthetics; Jacklyn Halpin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, of Aesthetic Couture Medical Spa and Skin of Color Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Steven Sorr, NMD, of Source of Health. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what co...

In this special milestone episode, we’re celebrating over 300 episodes of Medical Spa Insider, a journey that started in 2018. AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, Cathy Christensen, and Michela Bailey reflect on their favorite moments, from their very first episode to unforgettable conversations with guests who’ve gone on to achieve incredible success in the industry. Tune in for a look back at the most...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Dr. Kay Durairaj, of Beauty by Dr. Kay; Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC, of InjectAbility; Sahar Saghezchi, LPN, of Cupertino Facial Esthetics; Grace McLaurin, DMSc, PA-C, of Vitality Anti-Aging Center; and Suzanne Munshower, RN, of Beauty Marx Aesthetic MedSpa. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will lea...

How do we build a culture where ideas have a fighting chance? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa president and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speak with Kyle Scheele, author and upcoming keynote speaker at Medical Spa Show 2025. Deemed “the patron saint of crazy ideas,” Scheele shares his entrepreneurial journey, the power of outside perspectives, and how we can stop talkin...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Adam Haroun, founder of Aesthetic Altitude; Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, founder of Smiley Aesthetics; Carl Clarke, MHS, RPA-C, founder of Diamond Works MedSpa; and Kacie Avey, RN, CANS, founder of Tailored Aesthetics. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at  Med...

This week we return to a conversation between AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and two leaders of Operation Mend, a nonprofit UCLA Health program that provides specialized surgical and psychological care to post-9/11 military members, veterans and their caregivers. Executive Director Jo Sornborger, PsyD, and Christopher Crisera, MD, plastic surgeon and executive medical director, share the charity...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Jennifer Hartley, ACNP, founder of Skin Synthesis Clinic & Spa; Amie Martin, RN, founder of Aesthetic Mentor; and Erica Crawford, president of Influx Marketing. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at  Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! Jennifer Hart...

This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Taylor Siemens, NP-C, vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and clinical advisor to AmSpa. They discuss the nuances of laser safety and the need for proper training and education in medical aesthetics. Their conversation includes: How combining laser with other aesthetic treatments boosts results; What med spas need to fo...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Annie Hockey, president and head of consulting at Skytale Group; Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG, founder of Sugar Land Med Spa; Patrick Blake, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer at Portrait; and Amy Anderson, co-founder of BrinsonAnderson Consulting. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will le...

This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Erica Crawford, president, and Max Baybak, co-founder and chief growth officer of Influx Marketing. They discuss the community response to recent devastating wildfires in California, and how to adapt your marketing plan for 2025. Their conversation includes: The impact of recent wildfires in Southern California and how the communi...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kate Dee, MD, of Glow MediSpa; Linné Linder, ND, of SkinSpirit; Cameron Hemphill of Growth99; and Jessica Nunn of Maven Financial Partners. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at  Medical Spa Show 2025 , from April 10 - 13, 2025! Kate Dee, MD Friday, April 11: 8:55 -...

This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Danielle Oyasu, NP, founder of Beautifully New Med Spa in Park Ridge, Illinois. They talk about the importance of community, their shared love of the city, and more in this conversation that includes: How she was introduced to AmSpa; The community spirit in aesthetics; Talking safety and resp...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gilberto Saenz III, PA-C, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; Bree Black, Co-founder of JobSnob; Johnny Franco, MD, FACS, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; and Judy Kozlicki, Head of Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery at Skytale Group. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at  Medical Sp...

What can microneedling remind us about keeping the medical in medical spas? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Molly Muecke, RN, MSN, APRN, NP-C, founder of Astra Aesthetics in Knoxville, Tennessee. They discuss the risks associated with microneedling, the importance of safety protocols in medical aesthetics, and the need to educate patients and regulators about sa...

In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Taylor Siemens, NP-C, vice president of operations at Vitalyc MedSpa; Christopher Balbi, director of marketing at Meesha Aesthetics; Rebecca McAbee, practice manager and chief operating officer at Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics; and Kelly Choi, NP, founder of The Beauty Collective. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with...

In this 300th episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jodi Faustlin, chief compliance offer, and Chad Schiffman, director of risk management at Healthcare Compliance Pros. They talk about fundamental compliance policies and procedures for your organization, why the OCR and FTC are getting more involved in healthcare compliance, and how aesthetic pra...

In this episode, we revisit a conversation between AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, Shawna Chrisman, NP, CEO and founder of Destination Aesthetics, and Maegen Kennedy, PA-C, co-founder and clinical director of Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute. They spoke about the current stage of their medical spas, the details of scaling a business, and insider tips to help new and growing...

This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jonathan Kaplan, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of BuildMyHealth. They chat about DrWell by BuildMyHealth and how it simplifies medical weight loss treatment for both patients and medical aesthetic practices. Listen in to learn: Evolving from price transparency solutions to subscription medications; How DrWell aut...

This week in AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Patrick Blake, MD, and Praveen Ramineni, co-founders of Portrait, along with Sam Pondrom, JD, associate at national healthcare law firm ByrdAdatto. They discuss the role of medical directors in shaping aesthetic practices, from setting protocols to ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety. Their conversation includes: H...