M29 Business Basics for Integrative Dermatologists

Kitty is a veteran risk manager/insurance advisor, working in transfer of risk for businesses since 1985, the last 20 of those years dedicated to “all things” Healthcare. Dr. Vasant Lad and the Ayurvedic Institute, a renowned U.S. School of Ayurveda located in Kitty’s home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, became her client shortly after the new Millennium. The interesting blend of “traditional” western and age-old eastern medicine has been a significant part of her client book since, with institutes, ayurvedic resorts, national and state association representation (NAMA, CAAM, The Maharishi Institute…), authors, med spa & traditional medicine integrative care clinics, as well as numerous practitioners. Vimergy, Kerala and Dr. Sivamani’s research group and his imminent product launch with Jivome.com supplementals are examples of her work.

Dr. Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist and double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon as well as a reconstructive Mohs micrographic (skin cancer) surgeon. “Dr. Sheila” as many know her as fills the space in media as a relatable, millennial skincare expert with expertise in both integrative skincare and cutting-edge procedures. Dr. Sheila is unique that she is also a popular influencer who gives her followers an inside look at her life. To add, she is also highly regarded in the female empowerment space being a founder, CEO, and multi-business owner.

Dr. Sheila attended the University of Texas for her undergraduate and medical degrees. Dr. Sheila then completed her dermatology residency at the University of South Florida Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Upon completion, she was selected for a position for dual fellowship at the Skin Institute of South Florida and Hollywood Dermatology in the Miami, FL area. During this time, she also completed a year-long entrepreneur and leadership program through the Advancing Innovation in Dermatology led by Harvard faculty and industry leaders.

Dr. Sheila has numerous publications in top dermatology journals, has written textbook chapters and her research has been presented worldwide.

Dr. Sheila is considered a media expert by the American Academy of Dermatology and has been selected as a Key Opinion Leader for large industry skin and beauty companies. Dr. Sheila has a large social media presence (@Dr.Sheila_Derm) where she known for her entrepreneurship, skin and beauty tips, health/wellness, and her integrative medical approach. Dr. Sheila she is considered a celebrity media expert with several magazine features including Women’s Health Magazine and Allure. She is also a guest expert on national shows including Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and The Mel Robins Show. She is founder and medical director of Avant Dermatology & Aesthetics, Co-Founder of Vispera Health, and guest faculty instructor for the Integrative Dermatology Program.

Natalie Ficek is an Associate Attorney at Malecki Brooks Law Group, LLC. She graduated from DePaul University College of Law and obtained a health law certificate through DePaul’s health law program. She is a licensed attorney in Illinois and is Certified in Healthcare Compliance.  She has worked in community hospitals where she received extensive experience with corporate transactions and compliance. She works on several transactions at the firm and helps physicians who are in the process of opening their own practice. She has also been advising clients on several telemedicine issues particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Melinda Malecki is a Health Law attorney with 25 years of corporate, regulatory, and risk management experience. As a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), she provides legal counsel, corporate compliance, and risk management services to physicians, safety net hospitals and healthcare organizations, including federally qualified health centers.
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Ms. Malecki began her career as a risk manager at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. She became the Director of Risk Management and Legal Services at West Suburban Medical Center, Oak Park, and later became the Medical Center’s General Counsel. While working for West Suburban, Ms. Malecki managed all legal services for the Medical Center’s administration and staff. She directed all insurance purchasing and significantly reduced the Medical Center’s financial exposure due to insurance expenses. She began the private practice of law in 2000 and continues to consult in all of the foregoing areas.
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Ms. Malecki has extensive experience in the area of physician representation, including sales and purchases of practices, contract negotiations and corporate disputes. Her work as a hospital attorney benefits her physician clients in dealing with such matters as medical staff issues and contractual negotiations.
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One of Ms. Malecki’s greatest skills is handling risk management issues for healthcare organizations. She is frequently retained to create or redesign a risk management function / program for facilities that need to pass an accreditation or are at risk of losing insurance coverage.
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Ms. Malecki serves on the board of PCC Community Wellness Center, a federally qualified healthcare center based in Oak Park, Illinois and on the board of Anderson Animal Shelter in Elgin, Illinois.

Dr. Rachel Day is a New York City native who was raised in Northern New Jersey where her family still resides. She attended Lehigh University and graduated with a Bachler's degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and minor in Psychology, with honors. After graduation Dr. Day matriculated into Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York City, where she was actively involved in the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP), a high-school science enrichment program aimed at increasing exposure to health-related careers to those from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Day received her medical degree in 2013 and went on to complete her Transitional Year Internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

After internship, she completed her dermatology residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital- Cornell. Following her nine years of training in New York City she and her family moved to Chambersburg where she has practiced as a board-certified dermatologist for the past three years. She is a practicing Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Day is the founder and CEO of OneSkin Dermatology, a direct care dermatology skin-health and wellness practice.

In addition to her practice she own's and operates the good life by oneskin in downtown Chambersburg, a socially-conscious retail experience. Dr. Day is active within her community serving as a board member of the United Way of Franklin County and a community board member of Franklin Hospice among other roles. Some of her favorite activities include spending time with her husband and three children exploring South Central PA, community-building, cooking and design