Aesthetics Course Faculty

Corey S. Maas. MD is a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and otolaryngologist based in San Francisco, California. He has over 30 years of experience in academic and clinical practice, with a focus on aesthetic and reconstructive procedures involving the face, head, and neck. Dr. Maas earned his medical degree with honors from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed an internship in General Surgery and a residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at St. Louis University College of Medicine. He then completed a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In 2001, Dr. Maas founded The Maas Clinic in San Francisco, where he maintains an active clinical practice. He also serves as Medical Director of The Appearance Care Center, an outpatient center focused on non-surgical aesthetic treatments. Dr. Maas is a former Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UCSF, where he served for over a decade. He continues to contribute to the academic community as an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at UCSF, where he teaches medical students and residents. He has directed a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for more than 20 years. An active member of multiple professional societies, Dr. Maas has held leadership roles including President of the California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery and President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. His academic contributions include over 150 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and participation as principal investigator in more than 40 clinical trials. He frequently lectures at national and international meetings on topics related to facial plastic surgery.

James Newman, MD is a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the Founder and Director of Premier Plastic Surgery, with offices in Palo Alto, San Mateo, and Half Moon Bay, California. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Baylor University and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1991. Dr. Newman completed his internship and residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University, followed by a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford, where he also joined the faculty. With over 30 years of surgical experience, he specializes in minimally invasive techniques and offers procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasty, and laser cosmetic surgery. Dr. Newman is affiliated with Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and Stanford Hospital.

Jacob Boeckmann, MD is a double-board certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in Orange County, California. He is frequently sought out for his extensive expertise in surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation to achieve a balanced, natural aesthetic result.  Dr. Boeckmann completed both his medical degree and residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery training from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Throughout his medical education and training, Dr. Boeckmann received numerous awards for medical excellence including the J. Floyd Kaiser Award for Highest Excellence in Scientific Research, The Ryan Gibson Scholarship for Excellence in Medical Education, and membership into the distinguished Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society. Upon completion of residency training, Dr. Jacob Boeckmann then completed his fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center under the leadership of Brian Wong, MD. Upon completion of fellowship, Dr. Boeckmann received the Jack R. Anderson Prize for Scholastic Excellence for achieving the highest score in the United States and Canada on the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examination. He has authored and co-authored numerous chapters in facial plastic surgery textbooks and scientific papers for the advancement of head and neck surgery which he still continues today. Dr. Boeckmann is a co-editor of Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery which is a comprehensive study guide created for facial plastic surgery fellows and advanced otolaryngology residents. Dr. Boeckmann serves as an expert reviewer for the journal of Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine.  He remains dedicated to education and is actively involvedteaching surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation techniques as an Volunteer Associate Clinical Professor in the department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center.

Steve Yoelin, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over two decades of experience in minimally invasive medical aesthetics, including dermal fillers, neuromodulators, and fat reduction techniques. He operates a private practice in Newport Beach, California, that is focused exclusively on injectable aesthetic procedures and is built entirely on repeat patients and word-of-mouth referrals. Dr. Yoelin received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of California, Irvine, where he also completed his residency in ophthalmology. He earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural science and management, magna cum laude, from the University of California, Davis, and was inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. He has served as a clinical investigator in numerous Phase I through IV clinical trials and has authored or co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and presentations. Dr. Yoelin has also been awarded several patents for his research contributions. In addition to his clinical work, he serves as a strategic advisor to a range of companies in the aesthetics industry, from early-stage startups to established multinational firms. A sought-after educator, Dr. Yoelin has trained thousands of clinicians globally through industry-sponsored programs and continuing medical education courses. He is widely regarded as a leader in the medical aesthetics field, combining clinical experience with a strong background in research and teaching.

Andrew S. Frankel, MD is a distinguished facial plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California, with over 25 years of experience. He is double board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Frankel earned his medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He completed a five-year residency in Otolaryngology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, followed by a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery under Dr. Frank Kamer. Dr. Frankel serves as an Assistant Professor on the Clinical Faculty at both UCLA and USC’s Keck School of Medicine. His practice at the renowned Lasky Clinic focuses exclusively on facial procedures, including rhinoplasty, facelift, and revision surgeries.

Zakia Rahman, M.D. is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University and Assistant Chief at the Livermore Division of the Palo Alto VA Health Care System (PAVAHCS). She serves as Director of the Resident Laser and Aesthetic Clinic and is actively involved in leadership and mentorship through her roles on the American Academy of Dermatology Diversity Committee, the Stanford Physician Wellness Committee, and the Stanford School of Medicine Faculty Senate, where she served as Chair from 2020 to 2022. Dr. Rahman earned her M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1998, following a B.A. with honors in Biological Sciences from the University of Chicago, which she completed in just three years. She completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital, followed by both residency and fellowship in Dermatology and Skin of Color at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University. Board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Rahman’s clinical interests span geriatric and surgical dermatology, laser treatments, ethnic skin, and the medical and aesthetic use of fillers and neuromodulators. Her research focuses on laser therapies and skin of color. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 Melanie Grossman Award for Leadership, Mentorship, and Advocacy for Women in Medical Science and the 2017 AAD Presidential Citation for advancing diversity in dermatology.

Serena Mraz, M.D. is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist who integrates regenerative medicine and wellness to help patients achieve optimal aging from the inside out. With a passion for personalized, patient-centered care, Dr. Mraz combines advanced dermatologic expertise with a holistic approach to skin health and aesthetic outcomes. Dr. Mraz earned her B.S. in Combined Sciences from Santa Clara University and her M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. She completed an Internal Medicine residency at Stanford University Hospital, followed by advanced fellowship training in Melanoma at the University of California, San Francisco, and in Cutaneous Lymphoma at Stanford University. She subsequently completed her Dermatology residency at Stanford University Medical Center. With a unique background that bridges medical dermatology, oncology, and aesthetic medicine, Dr. Mraz is dedicated to advancing the field through innovative therapies that promote both external appearance and internal wellness.

Anna Guanche, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon with over 18 years of experience specializing in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery. She is the founder and director of the Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, California, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the care of a diverse patient population, including public figures, executives, and families. Her clinical practice emphasizes minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that offer natural-looking results with limited downtime. Dr. Guanche earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her dermatology residency at the University of Minnesota, following an internship at M Health Fairview. She holds active medical licenses in California and Minnesota and is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Committed to education and mentorship, Dr. Guanche has contributed to resident and medical student training for over a decade. She served on the dermatology faculty at UCLA Medical Center, Olive View, where she taught UCLA residents for 13 years. She is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

Amir Moradi, M.D., M.B.A., is a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a strong foundation in both clinical practice and business. He received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and completed a surgical residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Duke University Medical Center. In order to broaden his understanding of the aesthetic industry, he earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business. Dr. Moradi is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery. He has contributed to national leadership through his service on committees for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, including Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Industry Relations and Engagement, and Emerging Technologies. He currently serves as treasurer of the California Society of Facial Plastic Surgery and is a member of its Board of Directors. Dr. Moradi’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, leadership, and excellence in facial plastic surgery.

Allison Pontius, M.D., is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, master injector, and anti-aging expert specializing in facial plastic surgery, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, and regenerative medicine. She earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, followed by an internship at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. She completed her residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Albany Medical Center and the New England Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center. Dr. Pontius is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and holds active medical licenses in California and New York.

Kevin Sadati, D.O. is a board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with extensive training in general cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He earned scholarships to complete undergraduate degrees in Molecular Neurobiology & Cell Biology and Near Eastern History & Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He later conducted wound healing research at the University of California, San Francisco, before obtaining his medical degree from Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Sadati completed his rotating internship at Michigan State University, Metropolitan Hospital, and continued his training in General Surgery and Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He went on to complete fellowship training in general cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Lynnwood, Washington, through a program accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Sadati is a Diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Otolaryngology. He is also certified by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

Gregory Mueller, MD is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has practiced in Beverly Hills, California since 1998. He completed his medical degree at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of California, Irvine (1989–1996), and an integrated plastic surgery residency at the University of Southern California / Los Angeles General Medical Center (1996–1998). Dr. Mueller is recognized for his contributions to surgical innovation, particularly in the development of light-guided suture delivery. He pioneered the use of an illuminated sewing needle and thread to facilitate the safe and accurate placement of sutures in the subcutaneous space, using light transillumination to guide suture delivery around dermal retaining ligaments and over the underlying musculature. In collaboration with Dr. Sherrell Aston, he published the percutaneous platysmaplasty technique in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2012. This technique ultimately evolved into the MyEllevate procedure, which Dr. Mueller refined over nearly a decade. A pivotal multicenter study published in 2023 in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal documented 391 MyEllevate cases with a complication rate under 5%, establishing the procedure as both teachable and reproducible with consistent results. Dr. Mueller is the inventor of the ICLED Surgical System, a medical device designed for use with the MyEllevate suture matrix. The technology was acquired by Cynosure Inc. in 2021. He is also the creator of the oVio360 Dynamic Imaging System, which provides standardized and repeatable imaging with the ability to capture facial and body motion, offering insights into both the structural and functional outcomes of aesthetic interventions. Dr. Mueller has authored several textbook chapters and peer-reviewed publications and continues to teach surgeons internationally. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Daniel Gould, MD, PhD is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with advanced training in aesthetic surgery and a strong foundation in research. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. He went on to earn his M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University as part of the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program. He completed his residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Southern California and pursued fellowship training through the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, completing one of the nation’s top cosmetic fellowships in Beverly Hills. Dr. Gould has collaborated with leading figures in the field, including Dr. Grant Stevens and Dr. Sheila Nazarian, where he refined his expertise in patient-centered care and advanced aesthetic techniques. An active contributor to the academic community, Dr. Gould serves as a Contributing Editor for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. He has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed articles and over 400 presentation abstracts in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. His certifications and affiliations include Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellowship in the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and service as a Contributing Editor for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Gregory Keller, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over four decades of experience specializing in facial rejuvenation procedures, including deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and laser surgery. Practicing in Santa Barbara and Beverly Hills, he is internationally recognized for his contributions to facial plastic surgery and is known for achieving natural, youthful results. He is credited with inventing the endoscopic brow lift and has published extensively on vertical deep plane facelifts and midface lifts. Dr. Keller has trained over 25 physicians in advanced surgical techniques and currently serves as Clinical Professor at UCLA, where he is also Co-Director of the UCLA/AAFPRS Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship. He earned his undergraduate degree from DePauw University and received his M.D. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. His postgraduate training includes an internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a surgical residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, and residency in Otolaryngology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

Debra Phairas is the President of Practice & Liability Consultants, LLC, a nationally recognized firm focused on medical practice management and malpractice risk mitigation. Her professional background includes extensive experience in medical clinic administration, as well as serving in loss prevention management at NORCAL MUTUAL, a physician malpractice insurance provider in Northern California. Ms. Phairas holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and completed graduate coursework in the MBA Health Services Administration program at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Over the course of her career, she has consulted with more than 2,300 medical and dental practices across a wide range of specialties and organizational structures. Her areas of expertise include practice start-up planning, operational assessments, financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions, personnel management, overhead reduction, revenue cycle enhancement, practice valuations, and physician recruitment. She has also provided guidance on partnership structuring and dispute resolution. In addition to her consulting work, Ms. Phairas is a frequent lecturer for professional societies, medical associations, and healthcare management organizations throughout the United States. She is certified as an expert witness in California, Arizona, and Washington.

Catherine Maley, MBA is a cosmetic practice growth specialist, author, speaker, and consultant with over 20 years of experience in aesthetic practice marketing and management. As the founder of Cosmetic Image Marketing, she has advised hundreds of aesthetic practices on patient attraction, conversion, retention, and business growth strategies. Catherine is the author of “Your Aesthetic Practice: What Your Patients Are Saying” and host of the “Beauty and the Biz” podcast, where she shares insights on practice development and interviews industry leaders. Her expertise spans patient consultation training, staff performance, and strategic marketing, helping surgeons worldwide increase revenues while improving patient satisfaction and retention.

Brian Hayes has more than 23 years of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership within the aesthetic medical industry. Over the course of his career, he has worked with hundreds of medical practices and observed firsthand the growing business challenges physicians face. In response, while in his corporate roles, Brian developed innovative programs, tools, and support teams specifically designed to assist practices in navigating these complexities. In 2017, he founded Orion Strategic Consultants, drawing upon his deep industry knowledge and experience to provide strategic guidance to aesthetic and medical practices. Brian’s business background includes a strong track record of success at market-leading corporations, the launch of multiple startups, and the generation of hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. He has led teams ranging in size from five to seventy individuals, including cross-functional groups composed of sales, marketing, clinical, administrative, and technical professionals. One of his professional priorities has been the development and mentorship of emerging leaders. Recognized for his ability to lead organizational change, Brian is often brought in to turn around underperforming teams or to establish new business units. As an entrepreneur, he brings a practical understanding of the challenges facing small business owners, having launched three startups and founded two companies of his own. His experience positions him well to support sustainable growth, even in resource-constrained environments.