AIM Conference Presentations

The State of Independent Medicine

Speakers: AIM Leadership (Jack Dillon and Dr. Marco Fernandez)

Kick off the Summit with a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing independent physicians today. Drawing directly from attendee insights shared during registration, this session will ground the conversation in real-world concerns and set the tone for a solutions-focused weekend. 

Why It Matters Now: The Fight for Independent Medicine

Speaker: Emma Freer, American Economic Liberties Project

Independent medicine is at a critical inflection point. In this opening session, leaders from the American Economic Liberties Project will outline the broader forces reshaping healthcare, from consolidation to corporate influence, and why independent physicians must act now. Learn how advocacy, alignment, and proactive strategy can help protect the future of physician-led care.

Advocacy 101: Where to Start and How to Be Heard

Speaker: Andrew Woods, Liberty Partners Group

Advocacy doesn’t require a full-time commitment, but it does require knowing where to begin. This session breaks down the fundamentals of engaging in healthcare policy, from understanding the legislative process to building relationships with decision-makers. Walk away with practical steps to make your voice heard without stepping away from your practice. 

Financial Resilience: Protecting and Strengthening Your Practice

Speakers: Dr. David Norris, Anesthesiologist, Author of The Financially Intelligent Physician; Dr. Ali Sabbagh, Anesthesia Management Services PC (Commerce Township, MI)

Financial literacy is a critical leadership skill for physicians and practice owners navigating today's healthcare landscape. In this session, Dr. David Norris will provide a practical framework for understanding the financial drivers that impact practice performance, sustainability, and long-term success. Joining Dr. Norris is Dr. Ali Sabbagh, physician leader and Treasurer of Anesthesia Management Services, PC, bringing the perspective of a large, multi-site independent physician group.

Together, they will explore how financial principles translate across practices of different sizes and structures, offering real-world examples and insights from both small and large independent organizations.

Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of practice financial health, key performance indicators, and strategies to help build resilient, physician-led practices in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

After the Takeover: Lessons in Survival and Rebuilding

Speakers: Preston Alexander, Forward Slash / Health & Dr. Adrienne Towsen, Towsen Clinic (West Chester, PA)
Moderator: Jack Dillon

What happens when independent practices are acquired - and what comes next? This session offers an honest look at the realities of consolidation, from the pressures leading up to a sale to the challenges that follow. Hear firsthand experiences and insights on navigating change, protecting your interests, and, when possible, rebuilding independence. 

Restoring Balance: Payment Reform, Physician Well-Being, and the Future of Physician-Led Care

Speaker: Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, AMA Board of Trustees

Physicians across the country are navigating increasing financial pressure, administrative burden, and evolving care models - all while striving to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. In this session, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala shares a physician’s perspective on the urgent need for meaningful payment reform, addressing burnout, and preserving the role of physician-led practices in today’s healthcare landscape. Drawing from both his leadership experience and personal journey as a patient, he will offer a grounded, human-centered view of what’s at stake and what must change.

Attendees will gain insight into current efforts to stabilize physician reimbursement, reduce unnecessary burdens, and support sustainable, independent practice models. The session will also highlight practical ways physicians can stay engaged, advocate for change, and maintain focus on what matters most: their patients and their profession.

Keynote Conversation: Leadership, Resilience, and High-Stakes Performance

Speaker: NHL Legend Eddie Olczyk

Join NHL legend and broadcaster Eddie Olczyk for an engaging conversation on leadership, resilience, and performing under pressure. Drawing from his experiences in professional sports and broadcasting, Eddie will share insights that translate far beyond the rink, offering perspective on navigating challenges, staying focused, and leading through uncertainty. Includes audience Q&A. 

From Practice to Policy: How Physicians Can Drive Change

Speakers: Hayden Rooke-Ley, JD; Oregon Representative Ben Bowman; & Dr. Elissa Pirocanac, Bend Anesthesiology Group (Bend, OR)

Moderator: Jack Dillon

Policy decisions directly impact the future of independent medicine, but physicians don’t need to be policy experts to make a difference. In this session, a healthcare attorney and state legislator share a practical look at how meaningful change happens and how physicians can get involved without burning out. Using Oregon’s corporate practice of medicine legislation as a case study, attendees will gain clear, actionable ways to engage at the state and local level. 

From Insight to Action: What You Do Next Matters

Panelists: Morgan Harper (AELP); Hayden Rooke-Ley, JD; Dr. Adrienne Towsen; TBA

Moderator: Jack Dillon

You’ve heard the challenges. You’ve explored the strategies. Now it’s time to decide what comes next.

This interactive panel brings together healthcare leaders to focus on one question: What can you do in the next 30 days to protect and strengthen your practice?

Through rapid-fire insights and real-world examples, panelists will share their top recommended actions, ranging from engaging with legislators and strengthening contracts to joining advocacy efforts and addressing vulnerabilities within your practice.

The session concludes with live audience participation and Q&A, helping you identify your next step and overcome common barriers to taking action. You’ll leave with clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of control over your future in independent medicine. 

Moving Forward Together

Speakers: AIM Leadership

As the Summit concludes, AIM leadership will reflect on key themes from the weekend and reinforce the importance of continued collaboration across independent physicians and organizations. Leave with a clear sense of momentum, and the understanding that the work doesn’t end here.