3 Practice Management Pitfalls Plastic Surgeons Must Avoid

What does the future of a successful dermatology practice look like?In this episode, Robin Ntoh sits down with Dawn Bryant, Director of Operations, and Garrett Butulis, Chief Financial Officer of Midtown Dermatology in Raleigh, North Carolina to discuss the trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the next generation of dermatology practices. Drawing on decades of combined experience, they share how their organization approaches growth, patient care, operational efficiency, and long-term planning.The conversation explores how data-driven decision-making influences everything from service expansion and product offerings to staffing and resource allocation. Dawn and Garrett discuss the importance of patient trust, staff education, and creating a seamless connection between medical dermatology and aesthetic services to better meet patient needs. Looking ahead, they share their perspectives on artificial intelligence and its growing role in healthcare. From AI-powered search and patient acquisition to clinical documentation and workflow optimization, they discuss both the opportunities and challenges practices will face as technology continues to evolve.Whether you're a practice owner, administrator, or provider, this episode offers valuable insight into how leading dermatology organizations are preparing for the future while staying focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient care.Guests:Dawn Bryant, Director of OperationsGarrett Butulis, Chief Financial OfficerMidtown DermatologyHost:Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech:Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

Building a successful plastic surgery practice isn't about growing as quickly as possible—it's about making the right decisions at the right time.In this episode, Robin Ntoh sits down on location with Dr. Collier Pace of Greensboro Plastic Surgery to discuss how he has thoughtfully scaled his independent practice in just two years. From expanding nonsurgical services and evaluating the addition of an in-office operating room to building a strong team culture, Dr. Pace shares the principles guiding his practice's continued success.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Pace explains how patient demand, provider utilization, and day-to-day operational insights help shape growth decisions. He also shares why incremental progress, rather than aggressive expansion, has been the foundation of his approach to building a sustainable, high-performing practice.The discussion also explores the future role of artificial intelligence in plastic surgery. From AI scribes and business intelligence tools to appointment management and patient communication, Dr. Pace offers a practical perspective on where emerging technologies can create value while preserving the personalized experience patients expect.In this episode, you'll learn:How to scale a plastic surgery practice without overextending resourcesWhy patient demand should drive growth and staffing decisionsThe importance of team culture in building a successful practiceKey considerations when expanding surgical and nonsurgical servicesWhere AI may have the greatest impact on practice operations and patient experienceHow technology can support growth while maintaining a high-touch patient journeyGuest:Dr. Collier Pace, Greensboro Plastic SurgeryGreensboro, NCHost:Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech:Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

In today's aesthetic landscape, convenience isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a deciding factor in whether patients choose your practice at all.In this episode, Amy Anderson of ACG Practice Partners joins Robin Ntoh to break down how leading medical aesthetics practices are rethinking the patient journey, from first touch to post-visit follow-up, and beyond to meet rising expectations around access, speed, and ease.Through online scheduling and patient portals to CRM-driven communication, Amy shares practical strategies to remove friction, automate repetitive tasks, and empower staff to focus on what matters most: meaningful patient interactions. Topics in this episode include :Turning convenience into a true competitive differentiator for your practiceUsing CRM and “drip” campaigns to educate and nurture patients over timeImproving conversion by making scheduling and access available anytime, anywhereReducing staff burnout through automation while preserving the human touchCreating a more efficient, scalable workflow to create a better patient experience Because in medical aesthetics, the best practices aren’t just delivering results, they’re making it easier than ever for patients to say yes.Guest: Amy Anderson, Founder and CEOACG Practice PartnersHost: Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech: Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

In today’s aesthetic landscape, patients expect more than great results. They want to feel heard, understood, and supported—not just during the consultation, but throughout their entire care journey.In this conversation, Uma Daya, PA and Advanced Aesthetic Injector, Rudderman MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa unpack how leading practices are redefining patient relationships by combining education, access, and empathy to create a more connected experience from first touch through post-treatment follow-up.You’ll hear from Uma how she:Shifts from one-time consultations to continuous, relationship-driven care journeysGives patients direct access to practitioners, creating trust and reducing uncertaintyUses education not just to inform—but to build confidence, transparency, and emotional connectionCreates a more personal experience in a high-volume, efficiency-driven environmentBecause in medical aesthetics, trust isn’t built in a single appointment—it’s built over time through consistent communication, transparency, and human connection. Research shows that trust is foundational to patient decision-making and long-term relationships in aesthetic care.Guest: Uma Daya, PA & Advanced Aesthetic InjectorRudderman Plastic Surgery and Medical SpaHost: Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech: Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com

Great patient experiences start with strong, self-aware leadership. In the world of medical aesthetics, providers are highly trained clinically, but leadership and team development aren’t always part of that foundation. The result? Miscommunication, staff friction, and missed opportunities to build a truly high-performing practice. In this episode, Robin Ntoh is joined by Cheryl Toth of ACG Practice Partners, live from the Medical Spa Show, to unpack how leadership coaching is helping practices transform the way their teams communicate, collaborate, and perform. From DISC assessments to real-world coaching strategies, Cheryl shares how practices can turn self-awareness into meaningful action. Inside the conversation, you’ll discover how successful practices:  Strengthen leadership by building self-awareness and understanding behavioral stylesAddress communication breakdowns and reduce day-to-day team frictionDevelop emotional intelligence to better navigate high-pressure patient environmentsCreate a more supportive, resilient culture that benefits both staff and patientsTurn insights into action through practical coaching, goal-setting, and accountabilityThey also explore the unique challenge of balancing patient expectations with the realities of a medical business, and how leaders can create consistency, clarity, and calm in fast-moving environments. Whether you’re leading a team, managing a practice, or looking to improve how your staff works together, this episode highlights practical ways to elevate both culture and performance. Guest: Cheryl Toth, Facilitator and Leadership CoachACG Practice Partners Host: Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech: Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

Patients are more informed than ever—but not always correctly.With social media shaping expectations around aesthetic treatments, today’s practices are facing a new challenge: misinformation before the consultation even begins. So how do leading medical aesthetics practices take back control of the narrative?In this episode, Kassandra Lepack and Robin Ntoh break down how successful practices are redefining patient education in medical aesthetics by moving beyond basic consultations to deliver clear, consistent, and accessible information that builds trust before patients step in the door.You’ll learn how top-performing practices:Combat misinformation and unrealistic expectations driven by social mediaUse visual tools and at-home education resources to reinforce key conceptsEducate patients not just on treatments—but on downtime, outcomes, and real resultsLeverage technology to improve communication, streamline workflows, and enhance the overall patient experienceWhether you’re focused on improving consultations, increasing patient confidence, or differentiating your practice in a crowded market, this conversation provides practical strategies you can implement immediately.Guest:Kassandra Lepack, Chief Business Development OfficerAcclaro MedicalHost:Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech:Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

Amanda breaks down how leading plastic surgery and medical aesthetics practices are elevating every touchpoint, from patient photos to staff training. Drawing from her day-to-day work with practices, she shares practical insights on why your consult starts earlier than you think—and how small changes can leave a lasting impression that drives loyalty and growth.Guest:Amanda Taylor, Director of ConsultingAmerican Society of Plastic SurgeonsHost:Anna Browning, VP of Aesthetic SalesNextechAbout Nextech: Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

AI is set to have an enormous impact on specialty healthcare practices, but it's still undetermined exactly how. Dr. Rudderman shares his thoughts on the value of implementing AI and what questions are still unanswered around the use of AI in medical aesthetic practices. From enhancing the patient experience to empowering staff, learn how Dr. Rudderman is approaching AI in his practice. Guest:Randal Rudderman, MDRudderman Plastic Surgery and Medical SpaHost:Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech: Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

Dr. Steven Davison shares expert tips for avoiding revenue growth pitfalls and advice for sustainable growth in plastic surgery practices. From reducing your surgery cancellation rate to bringing on a second (or third or fourth!) doctor, learn from Dr. Davison's real life experiences in private practice. And hear what's on his wish list for AI to help support and accelerate his practice management.Guest:Steven Davison, MDDAVinci Plastic SurgeryHost: Robin Ntoh, VP of AestheticsNextechAbout Nextech:Industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/

Weekly and monthly reports determine what’s profitable, what’s not, and where your practice should grow or cut back.Stephanie Peterson and Anna Browning share why every decision, from staffing to services, should be driven by data, not gut instinct.They discuss how tracking true costs can reveal surprising insights, like which procedures are actually making money and which ones just look busy on the schedule.One key takeaway: “garbage in, garbage out.” If your data isn’t accurate, your decisions won’t be either.Plus, hear why staff engagement isn’t one-and-done; it’s ongoing and built through consistent training, check-ins, and trust.GUESTSteffanie PetersonPractice Manager, Dr. Matthew White Facial Aesthetic SurgeryFor more than 20 years, Steffanie has worked with physician, office and surgical center staff to improve efficiency, practice profitability, staff retention and patient care. She specializes in helping practices find ways through both day-to-day operations as well as long-term strategic planning to maximize revenue without compromising patient care or satisfaction.Learn more about New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew WhiteQuestions answered by this episode: How do you keep staff engaged and feeling valued in a medical practice?What does onboarding and training look like for new hires?How do you handle an employee who's struggling or not catching on?What data should practice managers be looking at — and how often?Which reports should a practice live and die by?How do you use data to decide whether a procedure is actually worth offering?What are the biggest payment processing challenges aesthetic practices face?Where does AI fit into the future of practice management?How do you use data to plan a physical office expansion?HOSTAnna Browning, VP of Aesthetic Sales - NextechPresented by Nextech, Aesthetically Speaking delves into the world of aesthetic practices, where art meets science, and innovation transforms beauty.With our team of experts we bring you unparalleled insights gained from years of collaborating with thousands of practices ranging from plastic surgery and dermatology to medical spas. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding entrepreneur, this podcast is tailored for you.Each episode is a deep dive into the trends, challenges, and triumphs that shape the aesthetic landscape. We'll explore the latest advancements in technology, share success stories, and provide invaluable perspectives that empower you to make informed decisions.Expect candid conversations with industry leaders, trailblazers and visionaries who are redefining the standards of excellence. From innovative treatments to business strategies, we cover it all.Our mission is to be your go-to resource for staying ahead in this ever-evolving field. So if you're passionate about aesthetics, eager to stay ahead of the curve and determined to elevate your practice, subscribe to the Aesthetically Speaking podcast.Let's embark on this transformative journey together where beauty meets business.About NextechIndustry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/ Follow Nextech on Instagram @nextechglowTheme music: I've Had Enough, Snake City