Event Agenda
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Attendee Arrival and Hotel Check-In
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Physicians Wealth Check-In Desk, Left of Lobby
Conference Check-in and Welcome Happy Hour
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Pool Club & Sunset Terrace, 14th Floor
Special Surprise Guest
(Cocktails & heavy hors d’oeuvres)
Friday, October 24, 2025
Nashville Sunrise Walk & Network
6:00 a.m. – 6:45 a.m.
Meeting Spot: Front of Funny Library and Coffee Shop Sign
Kickstart your day with a refreshing and energizing 6 a.m. walk through the heart of downtown Nashville. This unique experience blends exercise, entertainment, and history as you explore the city’s iconic landmarks.
Guided by locals, you’ll hear stories about Nashville’s rich culture and musical roots, while enjoying the opportunity to network with fellow physicians in a relaxed, inspiring setting. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just want to take in the sights, this sunrise walk is the perfect way to set a positive tone for your conference day.
Walk Leaders
Blake Wylie, CTO, MontecitoPLUS
Randy Horick, Director of Content Strategy, MontecitoPLUS
Conference Check-in and Breakfast
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
2nd Floor
Welcome Remarks by Montecito and Holland & Knight
8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
The Great Room
Speakers
Chip Conk, Co-Founder, MontecitoPLUS and CEO, Montecito Medical
Brent Hill, Healthcare & Life Sciences Section Leader, Holland & Knight
Visionary Physician Keynote
8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
The Great Room
Speaker
Daniel Kraft, MD, Founder, NextMed Health and Digital.Health
Chair, NextMed Health and XPRIZE Pandemic & Health Alliance
Break
9:15 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.
The Great Room Foyer
*Rewriting the Rules: How Physicians Can Win in Today’s Market
9:25 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
The Great Room
The traditional fee-for-service model is no longer enough. To thrive, independent physicians must break the status quo, rethink revenue streams, and forge strategic partnerships. In this dynamic discussion, you’ll hear from physicians who have successfully redefined their business models—leveraging private equity, value-based care, real estate, and innovative collaborations to drive profitability and long-term stability.
Walk away with actionable strategies to future-proof your practice and take control of your financial destiny.
*CME offered at this session.
Moderator
David Cook, MD, FAAFP, CEO, One Health
Panelists
Elmer B. Polite, MBA, FACHE, President, Eastern Division, Lifepoint Health and Duke-Lifepoint Healthcare
Eric Scalzo, Healthcare M&A and Private Equity Attorney, Holland & Knight LLP
*This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint providership of Tennessee Medical Association and Montecito Medical. The Tennessee Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Tennessee Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Break
10:10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
The Great Room Foyer
Beyond the Paycheck: Make Your Money Work for You
10:20 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
The Great Room
Earning a great income isn’t enough—what you do with it determines your long-term financial security. This physician-led panel will break down key strategies for maximizing retirement benefits, managing practice equity, making smart private investments, optimizing taxes, and balancing risk vs. return.
Whether you’re early in your career or managing a growing portfolio, this session will help you think strategically about building, protecting, and sustaining wealth for yourself and your family.
Moderator
Bruce Cohen, MD, Foot & Ankle Specialist, OrthoCarolina
Panelists
Thomas J. Pauloski, Senior National Director of the Institute for Tax, Trusts and Estates, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Break
11:05 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
The Great Room Foyer
Leadership Lunch Keynote
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Great Room
A former Navy SEAL Officer and special operations leader, Brian Ferguson brings elite performance strategies from the military, sports, and creative worlds into healthcare through Arena Labs. His keynote will provide powerful insights on how physicians can build high-performing, resilient teams and thrive under pressure. Get ready for a session that challenges your mindset and equips you to lead with clarity and courage in today’s demanding healthcare environment.
Speaker
Brian Ferguson, CEO, Arena Labs
Lunch
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
The Lawn, 2nd Floor
Transition Break
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Great Room Foyer
Breakout Session A
Real Estate as an Asset Class
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m
Manor I - II
For many physicians, real estate is more than just a place of practice; it’s a powerful wealth-building tool.
In this session, speakers will lead a deep dive into how physicians can strategically leverage real estate assets to unlock capital, increase yield, and invest in their practices. Learn how to navigate tax-efficient strategies, evaluate when to hold vs. sell, and optimize real estate investments to maximize long-term financial growth.
Strategic Voices
Mitesh Kothari, MD, Clinical Advisory Board Member, Seed Healthcare
Mike Freiburg, SVP, Capital Markets, Montecito Medical
Breakout Session B:
The Insider’s Guide to Venture for Physicians
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m
Manor III
Participating in Venture opportunities offers physicians a unique opportunity to diversify wealth and fuel innovation—but how do you get involved? This session breaks down venture investing, creating your own startup, and other ways physicians can profit by working with private companies.
Our experts on both the clinical and funding side Venture Capital will share how physicians can get involved and walk through requirements, considerations, and best practices.
Strategic Voices
Alison Curfman, MD, MBA, Founder and Principal Advisor, Alison Curfman MD LLC (Practicing Pediatrician and Founder of Imagination Pediatrics)
Dana Jacoby, CEO, Vector Medical Group, LLC
Break
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Great Room Foyer
Breakout Session A
The Tax Playbook: Keep More of What You Earn
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Manor I - II
Taxation is inevitable, but overpaying is not. This session goes beyond basic deductions to uncover sophisticated tax strategies tailored for high-earning physicians. Learn how to legally minimize tax liabilities, optimize deductions, and leverage tax-efficient investment and legal structures to build long-term wealth.
Our experts will break down actionable tactics that physicians can apply immediately to their 2025 tax returns and beyond. Whether you’re a W-2 employee or managing additional income streams, this session will help you navigate the complex tax landscape with confidence.
Sponsored by RSM
Breakout Session B
*The Insurance Playbook: Striking the Balance Between Protection and Profit
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Manor III
For high-net-worth physicians, insurance is more than just a safeguard, it’s a strategic tool for wealth preservation. But how do you strike the right balance between protecting your assets and avoiding unnecessary coverage that eats into your bottom line?
This session demystifies insurance planning by covering essential strategies for optimizing malpractice, disability, life, and asset protection coverage. Our experts will guide you through evaluating coverage needs at different career stages, identifying gaps, and ensuring your policies work for you—not against you. Walk away with actionable insights to fortify your financial security without overpaying for coverage you don’t need.
*CME offered at this session.
Strategic Voice
Katherine Vessenes, JD, CFP, Chief Financial Advisor, CEO, Founder of MD Financial
*This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint providership of Tennessee Medical Association and Montecito Medical. The Tennessee Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Tennessee Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Break
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
The Great Room Foyer
*Healthcare Innovation & Physician Wealth: Turning Disruption into Opportunity
3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Great Room
The landscape of physician practice models is shifting dramatically. Today, only 22.4% of physicians remain independent, while 77.6% are employed by hospitals, corporate entities, or private equity-backed organizations. This transformation is driven by rising costs, declining reimbursements, policy changes, and rapidly evolving technology.
This session explores the latest innovations reshaping care delivery and how physicians can leverage these disruptions to maintain autonomy, increase revenue, and build long-term wealth. From venture investments and tech-driven efficiencies to strategic deal structures, attendees will gain actionable insights on positioning their practice for financial success in this challenging yet opportunity-rich environment.
*CME offered at this session.
Moderator
Jeff Patton, MD, CEO, OneOncology
Panelists
Ray Guzman, CEO, SwitchPoint Ventures, LLC
April Hansen, MSN, RN, CEO, Barton and Associates, Inc.
Todd Perman, CEO & General Partner, Seed Healthcare
*This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through joint providership of Tennessee Medical Association and Montecito Medical. The Tennessee Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Tennessee Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Break
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
The Great Room Foyer
What Growth Really Looks Like: Data, Expansion, and Profitability for Today’s Practices
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Great Room
Growth is no longer about just adding patients — it’s about optimizing what you already have and making well-informed decisions on growth. This high-level session will explore how leading healthcare organizations, including independent practice groups, are using strategic planning and advanced data insights to maximize profitability, guide expansion, and compete more effectively in their markets.
From leveraging third-party competitive data on referral patterns, payer contracts, and service line gaps, to deciding when to grow, merge, or optimize operations, this session will break down real-world approaches that work. Learn how to set the right foundation for growth, align strategy with data, and make decisions that drive lasting success.
Strategic Voice
Steve Hendrick, CEO, Arrowlytics
Free Time
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cocktail Hour
6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
The Lawn, 2nd Floor
Plated Dinner and Entertainment
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Great Room