What does it actually take to build and operate your own ambulatory surgery center (ASC)?

In Episode 3 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the realities of designing, building, and running a physician-owned surgery center—from navigating state regulations and construction delays to sourcing equipment, building the right team, and creating an exceptional patient experience.

Rather than focusing on theory, Lauren walks through the practical lessons she learned while opening her own ASC, including the mistakes, unexpected challenges, and decisions she would make again.

In this episode:

• Should you open your own ambulatory surgery center?
• The advantages of physician-owned ASCs
• Building an operating room from the ground up
• State regulations and accreditation
• Construction challenges and project management
• How to save money on surgical equipment
• When it's worth investing in premium equipment
• Designing a luxury surgical experience
• Hiring your first surgery center team
• The realities of owning and operating an ASC

The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice—from startup through long-term growth.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Thinking about starting your own private medical or surgical practice? Where do you even begin? This is business 101, basics for the modern physician.

In Episode 2 of The Business of Surgery, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd breaks down the financial and operational foundations of launching a physician-owned practice. From loans and lines of credit to pricing, startup costs, and creating a premium patient experience, this episode is a practical guide to the business skills physicians rarely learn during training.

Whether you're a medical student dreaming about entrepreneurship, a resident considering private practice, or an attending ready to build something of your own, this episode offers an honest look at what it really takes to get started.

In this episode:

• How to finance a private practice
• Loans vs. lines of credit
• Building your first business plan (pro forma)
• Managing startup expenses
• Buying equipment without overspending
• Pricing medical and surgical services
• Creating a luxury patient experience
• Why physicians can succeed as entrepreneurs
• Learning from other surgeons and business owners

The Business of Surgery is a 12-part summer series on FEM, MD, where Dr. Lauren Umstattd shares the lessons she learned building a thriving physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice, from startup to long-term growth.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Welcome to The Business of Surgery, a brand-new 12-part summer series on FEM, MD.

Every week this summer, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Umstattd pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build a successful private practice - from financing and hiring to marketing, leadership, pricing, and the mindset required to bet on yourself.

In Episode 1, Lauren starts with the most important question of all:

Should you even become an entrepreneur?

Drawing from her own experience building a thriving, physician-owned cosmetic surgery practice, she discusses:

• How to know if you're cut out for business ownership

• Risk tolerance and entrepreneurial mindset

• Why physicians struggle with imposter syndrome outside of medicine

• Learning to embrace failure in business

• Building your dream practice through intentional vision

• Why "just start" is often the best advice

• Autonomy vs. employment in medicine

• Why physicians deserve more control over how they practice

Whether you're a medical student, resident, attending physician, or simply curious about entrepreneurship in healthcare, this series offers an honest, practical look at building a career on your own terms.

Subscribe for new episodes of The Business of Surgery every week this summer.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Women physicians are often expected to do it all: care for patients, raise families, support everyone around them, and somehow never ask for anything in return.

In this episode of FEM, MD, host Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with physician, writer, and creator Dr. Laura Vater for an honest conversation about toxic martyrdom in medicine, physician burnout, motherhood, sleep deprivation, and building a sustainable career as a woman doctor.

Together, they discuss why so many women in medicine struggle with boundaries, how residency training can normalize self-sacrifice, the reality of the "second shift" at home, and practical advice for physicians navigating career, family, and personal well-being.

Topics discussed include:

• Toxic martyrdom in medicine

• Women physicians and burnout

• Motherhood during medical training

• The "second shift" and working moms

• Setting boundaries as an attending physician

• Sleep deprivation and physician wellness

• Negotiating your first physician contract

• Financial independence for doctors

• Raising children while practicing medicine

• Finding joy and fulfillment outside of work

Whether you're a medical student, resident, attending physician, or working mother trying to balance it all, this conversation offers practical wisdom and reassurance that you are not alone.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Laura Vater

Connect with Laura: @doclauravater

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Why are so many women physicians walking away from medicine?

In this episode of FEM, MD, host Lauren Umstattd sits down with retinal specialist and physician coach Dr. Shanika Esparaz to discuss the wake-up call that forced her to rethink everything. After experiencing debilitating physical symptoms—including the worst headache of her life—Dr. Esparaz realized that what looked like success on the outside was costing her far more than she realized.

Together, they explore physician burnout, the unique challenges facing women in medicine, the pressure to do it all, and how learning to slow down helped Dr. Esparaz reclaim her career, family life, and sense of self.

Topics discussed include:

• The physical symptoms of physician burnout

• Why women doctors are leaving medicine at alarming rates

• The hidden cost of perfectionism and overachievement

• Building boundaries in clinical practice

• Opening (and later closing) a concierge medical practice

• Autonomy vs. workload in medicine

• How coaching helped redefine success

• Nervous system regulation and burnout recovery

• Why slowing down isn't the same as giving up

• Learning to choose yourself without guilt

If you've ever wondered whether there's a different way to practice medicine—or a different way to live—this conversation is for you.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Shanika Esparaz

Connect with Shanika: @shani_esparazmd

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

Dr. Betsy Dovec was one of the busiest bariatric surgeons in the country when she made a decision that shocked many of her colleagues: she walked away from a secure, high-paying hospital position to build her own practice and surgery center from the ground up.

In this episode of FEM, MD, Betsy shares the behind-the-scenes reality of launching Body by Bariatrics, navigating non-competes, securing a $12 million loan, building an ambulatory surgery center, and leading a growing healthcare business. She also discusses how GLP-1 medications are changing the bariatric landscape, why she believes traditional hospital-employed bariatric programs are facing major disruption, and what it takes to balance entrepreneurship, surgery, and motherhood.

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to build a medical practice on your own terms, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on risk-taking, leadership, resilience, and creating a life that aligns with your ambitions.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Dovec

Connect with Betsy: @drdovec

https://bodybybariatrics.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

On this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Natalie Krane for a candid conversation about the surprising overlap between elite athletics and surgical training. From Division I soccer and career-ending injuries to residency culture, burnout, performance psychology, and personal wellness, they unpack the coping mechanisms that make high-achieving women successful — and the ways those same traits can quietly erode long-term wellbeing.

The two surgeons discuss restorative breathing in the operating room, microbreaks during surgery, the psychology of performance under pressure, protecting life outside the hospital, and why “even baddies get saddies.” They also reflect on ambition, retirement, identity outside medicine, and the realization that women are allowed to “take up more space” — in medicine and in life.

This episode is for every woman in medicine who has ever pushed through exhaustion, ignored her body’s signals, or wondered what it means to build a sustainable life alongside a meaningful career.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Natalie Krane

Connect with Natalie @drnataliekrane

https://drnataliekrane.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com

What happens when a long-term marriage evolves beyond monogamy?

In this episode of FEM, MD, Dr. Lauren Umstattd sits down with clinical psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Rachel Meir to explore what it actually looks like to open a relationship—and why more people are questioning traditional models of love.

Dr. Meir shares her personal story of being married for over 20 years before coming out as bisexual, opening her marriage, and ultimately building a committed triad relationship. Together, they unpack the emotional, logistical, and cultural realities of non-monogamy—from communication and jealousy to family reactions and societal expectations.

This conversation isn’t just about polyamory. It’s about identity, honesty, and what it means to build a relationship that actually fits your life.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What polyamory actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Opening a long-term marriage—how it really happens
• Jealousy, insecurity, and emotional regulation
• The logistics of a “throuple” relationship
• Navigating family, career, and social judgment
• How communication—not structure—is what makes relationships work
• Why vulnerability is the foundation of any healthy relationship

Whether you’re curious about non-traditional relationships or simply want a deeper understanding of connection, this episode will challenge assumptions about love, commitment, and what’s possible.

Subscribe for more conversations on career, identity, and modern womanhood in medicine.

Dr. Rachael Meir is a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and kink-aware psychologist and sex/relationship coach who helps people explore ethical non-monogamy—including polyamory, open relationships, and swinging— without the fear of judgment, jealousy, or damaged relationships. As a bisexual woman in a polyamorous triad with her partners, Aaron and Kasey, she brings both personal and professional expertise. Dr. Meir is the author of 50 Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship, a practical and compassionate guide to help individuals and couples navigate non-monogamy with confidence and clarity.

Host: Dr. Lauren Umstattd

Connect with Lauren: @lauren_umstattd_md

Guest: Dr. Rachel Meir

Connect with Rachel: @drrachaelmeircoaching

https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/retreat-2026 - Thriving Throuples Retreat https://www.drrachaelmeir.com/

Produced by: The Hippocratic Collective

See more shows and content at hippocratic-collective.com