Many cosmetic surgeons and gynecologists have an aesthetician and offer the same topical services you may, such as prescription meds, IPL, or laser therapy. Do you have any personal feelings about such ancillary staff that could constitute competition?

There is a traditional antagonism between MDs whose specialties extend into common ground with other specialists. This should not be seen as a problem for you, because everyone--in your practice and theirs--contributes to the bottom line. You have to present yourself as being open-minded, because more innovations are being developed and introduced all the time. Gone are the days when a specialty can claim dominance over an area of expertise that is a "gray area" intersection between two specialties.