Vein Practice Growth Summit
Where Independent Vein Leaders Unite to Get Better
- August 20th - 22nd, 2026
- Clearwater beach, FL
An Event Created by Vein Practice Owners,
For Vein Practice Owners
Watch The Video!
Independent vein practice owners face a unique challenge—you’re expected to deliver world-class patient care and run a thriving business. And the truth is, you don’t get better by sitting in lecture halls or walking exhibit floors.
You get better by learning from other owners who are in the trenches, facing the same battles you are.
The Vein Practice Growth Summit is not run by hospital executives or professional meeting planners. It was built by independent vein practice owners, for independent vein practice owners—physicians who know what it takes to succeed and are committed to helping each other grow.
Learn from your peers, not “gurus.”
Every session is led by physicians and entrepreneurs who have built thriving practices.
Master both medicine and business.
Clinical innovations + practice management strategies = total growth.
Walk away with real pearls.
No theories here—just proven tactics you can implement the Monday morning after.
"Anybody trying to survive and stay independent in today’s healthcare system need to connect... The cooperative environment, the cost savings, and the pearls of wisdom shared here are invaluable. I wish more practices could experience this."
The Growth Summit Difference:
Dual Focus: Clinical + Business Mastery
You’ll learn the latest in vein care.
First, new therapies for venous leg ulcers or advances in foam sclerotherapy
And then pivot to sessions on referral growth, reimbursement tactics, and practice expansion.
Highly Interactive Format
No lecture marathons. No giant exhibit halls. A single-room, where you’ll engage in:
Roundtable Discussions
Open peer-to-peer exchanges where every attendee contributes and learns.
Real-World Case Reviews
Honest, case-based lessons from real-world complications and successes.
Networking That Matters
Build authentic relationships with fellow owners who share your challenges and your drive to grow.
Tips & Tricks Sessions
Practical pearls and shortcuts from seasoned physicians and entrepreneurs that you can implement right away.
Owner-to-Owner
This meeting is designed specifically for vein practice owners, physician-entrepreneurs, and key decision-makers.
You’ll be surrounded by peers who share your challenges: managing staff, building referral networks, improving efficiency of your clinical operations, scaling locations and hiring.
"I’m a physician, not a businessman. That’s why I value HPS so much. They give me confidence and clear, actionable ways to improve both the clinical and business sides of my practice. Plus, the vendors and solutions they bring in are vetted and high-quality, which is invaluable for physicians."
Keynote Speakers
Learn directly from some of the most respected minds in vein care, medical entrepreneurship, and marketing.
Dr. Robert Worthington-Kirsch
A nationally credentialed vein and interventional radiology expert, Dr. Worthington-Kirsch brings deep clinical authority and a myth-busting perspective to what actually moves outcomes in modern vein care.
Courtney Tito
A Board-Certified Specialist in Health Law, Courtney advises healthcare clients on payor audits, disputes, investigations, revocations, payment suspensions, subpoenas, and compliance risk.
Wes Gay
This isn’t a speaker-audience relationship—faculty members stay engaged throughout the event to mentor, answer questions, and brainstorm solutions.
Full List Of Speakers
Dr. Joseph Magnant
Vein Specialists
Dr. Allyson Walker
Vein-ity Vein Care Centers of Kansas
Dr. Peter Ford
Vascular Solutions
Dr. Eric Phillippi
Medical Procedures of Wisconsin
Marc Abernethy
Vanish Advanced Treatment Centers
Dr. Tom Cunningham
Trident Vein Center
Erin Ross
Trident Vein Center
Dr. Chris Pittman
Vein911 Vein Treatment Centers
Katie Snyder
Vein911 Vein Treatment Centers
Dave Shimkus
Health Performance Specialists
Cassandra Wilcoxson
Health Performance Specialists
Preliminary Agenda
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Thursday | |
| 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM |
Welcome Reception and Badge PickupAfter your arrival in Tampa, join us for cocktails, badge pickup, and a relaxed opportunity to meet fellow independent vein practice owners, the HPS team, advisory board members, speakers, and sponsors before the main sessions begin. |
| Friday | |
| 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM |
Breakfast and CoffeeStart the morning with breakfast and coffee while settling in and connecting with fellow attendees before sessions begin. |
| 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM |
Welcome and Summit KickoffAn opening overview of the Summit’s goals, themes, and how to get the most out of the next two days. |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
The Practice Growth Wake-Up Call — HPSA guided working session to help practice owners identify what is slowing growth and clarify the operational and strategic priorities that matter most right now. |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM |
Independent Practice Success: Lessons Learned from Building and Growing a Vein Center — Dr. C. Allyson WalkerDrawing from her experience launching and growing her practice, Dr. Walker shares lessons learned, growth strategies, and practical insights for independent practices competing in today's increasingly consolidated healthcare market. |
| 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM |
Networking Break |
| 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM |
Fallacies in Vein Care — Dr. Robert Worthington KirschThis session reviews the evidence behind several commonly accepted practices in vein care, providing clinicians with practical insights to refine treatment protocols, improve efficiency, and enhance patient outcomes. |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM |
Designing a High-Conversion Patient Journey — Dr. Peter FordThis interactive workshop focuses on treatment protocols, benefit estimates, sequencing decisions, bilateral workups, and the patient journey moments that shape outcomes and conversions. |
| 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM |
Lunch |
| 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM |
StoryBrand for Vein Practices — Wes GayLearn how clearer messaging can strengthen patient trust, improve differentiation, and make your marketing easier for patients to understand and act on. |
| 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM |
Vein Jeopardy — David Shimkus and Dr. Eric PhillippiA high-energy, team-based session that turns core clinical and business topics into interactive competition and peer learning. |
| 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM |
IVUS and Iliac Intervention — Dr. Joseph MagnantLearn when to refer iliac disease out, when to keep it in-house, and how IVUS-guided intervention can affect outcomes, case mix, and practice growth. |
| 2:45 PM – 3:00 PM |
Networking Break |
| 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
Chart Auditing for Sustainable Growth — Courtney TitoA practical look at documentation habits, auditing discipline, and compliance workflows that protect revenue while reducing avoidable risk. |
| 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
Lipedema Care as a Growth Opportunity — Dr. Chris PittmanExplore how stronger recognition and management of lipedema can improve patient care while supporting a meaningful adjacent service line. |
| 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
Building a Physician Liaison Engine — Katie SnyderA focused session on referral development, relationship building, and outreach habits that create sustained physician-to-physician growth. |
| 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM |
Stop Wasting Money on Marketing — Panel to be announcedAn attendee-focused panel on channel selection, tracking, ROI, inside sales, and conversion visibility to help practices turn marketing spend into better decisions. |
| 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM |
Group Photo |
| 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
Cocktail Hour and Networking ReceptionContinue the conversation with faculty, peers, and sponsors in a relaxed evening setting designed for relationship-building and idea exchange. |
| Saturday | |
| 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM |
Breakfast and Coffee |
| 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM |
Summit Takeaways RoundtableA facilitated discussion focused on what attendees are taking back to the practice, what themes are rising to the top, and what ideas they plan to act on first. |
| 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
Concurrent BreakoutsHPS Member Benchmarking Forum — HPS MembersAn exclusive benchmarking and open discussion session for HPS members focused on peer comparison, shared challenges, and next-step planning. Growth Workshop for Non-Members — David ShimkusA candid, strategy-focused session for HPS non-members who want a clearer picture of the systems, metrics, and operating habits used to grow a modern vein practice. |
| 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM |
Networking Break |
| 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM |
Interesting Cases — Dr. Tom CunninghamA case-based session built to surface real-world complexity, audience discussion, and applied learning across situations that do not fit neatly into a standard protocol. |
| 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM |
Coding PearlsA focused discussion on coding habits, common pitfalls, and the details that can materially affect reimbursement and compliance. |
| 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM |
Lunch |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
Edema-First Workflows That Build Better Care — Dr. Chris PittmanThis session explores how edema evaluation, objective tracking, wraps, pumps, and related care pathways can improve patient management while strengthening the practice model. |
| 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
Closing Remarks and Next Steps — Dr. Chris PittmanA short closing block to recap key themes, reinforce action items, and point attendees toward next steps after the Summit. |
Thursday, August 20th
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Welcome Reception and Badge Pickup
After your arrival in Tampa, join us for a relaxed evening to ease into the weekend. Enjoy cocktails and meet fellow independent vein practice owners, the HPS team, advisory board members, speakers, and sponsors. This casual meet-and-greet is your chance to start building connections before the main sessions begin. Come unwind, settle in, and get to know the community you’ll be learning and collaborating with over the next two days.
Friday, August 21st
7:00 AM – 7:30 AM | Breakfast and Coffee
After your arrival in Tampa, join us for a relaxed evening to ease into the weekend. Enjoy cocktails and meet fellow independent vein practice owners, the HPS team, advisory board members, speakers, and sponsors. This casual meet-and-greet is your chance to start building connections before the main sessions begin. Come unwind, settle in, and get to know the community you’ll be learning and collaborating with over the next two days.
Welcome and Summit Kickoff
Start your morning with a fresh breakfast and coffee to fuel up for a full day of learning and collaboration. We recommend arriving early to grab your seat, settle in, and connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin.
The Practice Growth Wake-Up Call | Speaker: HPS Team
An opening overview of the Summit’s goals, themes, and how to get the most out of the next two days.
The Lean De Novo: How to Out-Hustle Big-Box Clinics in Secondary Markets | Speaker: Dr. C. Allyson Walker
How can an independent vein practice compete in secondary markets without corporate backing? This session explores how disciplined operations, referral strategy, vendor decisions, and local-market focus can build a durable growth engine.
Speaker: Dr. C. Allyson Walker
Mythbusting in Modern Vein Care | Speaker: Dr. Robert Worthington Kirsch
A candid, evidence-informed look at common assumptions that can hold practices back clinically and operationally. Expect a lively session that challenges conventional thinking and sharpens decision-making.
Speaker: Dr. Robert Worthington Kirsch
Designing a High-Conversion Patient Journey | Speaker: Dr. Peter Ford
This interactive session focuses on treatment protocols, benefit estimates, sequencing decisions, bilateral workups, and the moments in the patient journey that shape both outcomes and conversions. It is framed as a practical workshop rather than a passive lecture.
Speaker: Dr. Peter Ford
StoryBrand for Vein Practices | Speaker: Wes Gay
Learn how clearer messaging can strengthen patient trust, improve differentiation, and make your marketing easier for patients to understand and act on.
Speaker: Wes Gay
IVUS and Iliac Intervention | Speaker: Dr. Joseph Magnant
Learn when it makes sense to refer iliac disease out, when to keep it in-house, and how IVUS-guided intervention can affect patient outcomes, case mix, and long-term practice growth.
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Magnant
Chart Auditing for Sustainable Growth | Speaker: Courtney Tito
A practical look at documentation habits, auditing discipline, and the compliance workflows that protect revenue while reducing avoidable risk.
Speaker: Courtney Tito
Lipedema Care as a Growth Opportunity | Speaker: Dr. Chris Pittman
Explore how stronger recognition and management of lipedema can improve patient care while also supporting a meaningful adjacent service line for the practice.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Pittman or Dr. Karen Herbst
Building a Physician Liaison Engine
A focused session on referral development, relationship building, and the outreach habits that create sustained physician-to-physician growth.
Stop Wasting Money on Marketing | Speaker: Panel
An attendee-focused panel on channel selection, tracking, ROI, inside sales, and conversion visibility. The emphasis is practical: how to stop guessing, what to measure, and how to turn marketing spend into decisions that actually improve performance.
Speakers: Panel lineup to be announced
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Cocktail Hour and Networking Reception
Continue the conversation with faculty, peers, and sponsors in a relaxed evening setting designed for relationship-building and idea exchange.
Saturday, August 22nd
7:00 AM – 7:30 AM | Breakfast and Coffee
Summit Takeaways Roundtable | Speaker: Dr. Chris Pittman
A facilitated discussion focused on what attendees are taking back to the practice, what themes are rising to the top, and what ideas they plan to act on first.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Pittman
Interesting Cases | Speaker: Dr. Tom Cunningham
A case-based session built to surface real-world complexity, audience discussion, and applied learning across the kinds of situations that do not fit neatly into a standard protocol.
Speaker: Dr. Tom Cunningham
Coding Pearls | Speaker: Panel Discussion
A focused discussion on coding habits, common pitfalls, and the details that can materially affect reimbursement and compliance.
Edema-First Workflows That Build Better Care | Speaker: Panel Discussion
This session explores how edema evaluation, objective tracking, wraps, pumps, and related care pathways can improve patient management while also strengthening the clinical and business model of the practice.
Speakers: Panel to be announced
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Closing Remarks and Next Steps
A short closing block to recap key themes, reinforce action items, and point attendees toward next steps after the Summit.
Speaker: Dr. Chris Pittman
Sessions & Topics
- Mastering the Growth Journey: Proven steps to build, expand, and grow a vein practice.
- Where Profit Comes From in Your Vein Center: Understanding and optimizing your true revenue drivers.
- Advanced Clinical Updates: Foam sclerotherapy for SVT and leading venous therapies.
- Insurance & Reimbursement Strategies: Maximize revenue while reducing denials.
- Staff Leadership & Retention: Building a team that converts patients and drives growth.
If you lead a vein practice—or aspire to—this is your playbook for 2026 success.
The Venue
wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
Located directly on Clearwater Beach’s world-renowned white sand beach, this upscale property offers the perfect blend of focus and relaxation for attendees traveling in. Enjoy modern accommodations, on-site dining, and stunning ocean views-all just steps from the beach and within easy reach of top local restaurants and attractions. It’s the ideal setting to connect, learn, and recharge.
Who Should Attend?
- Independent Vein Practice Owners & Physician-Entrepreneurs
- Any physician considering vein practice ownership
- Practice Administrators & Key Managers responsible for operations and growth
If you lead a vein practice—or aspire to—this is your playbook for 2026 success.
Secure Your Spot Today
Seats are limited to maintain the intimate format that makes the summit so valuable.
Registration includes all education, breakfast, lunch, networking dinners, and over 10 CME hours.
Select Exhibitors You Can Trust
Our exhibitor space is intentionally limited and carefully curated.
Every company at the Vein Practice Growth Summit has been thoroughly vetted by our physician network to ensure their products, services, and solutions align with the highest standards of vein care.
Exhibitors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Health Performance Specialists/HPS?
Health Performance Specialists is the largest network of independent vein practices in the USA.
HPS understands the unique challenges facing independent vein practices in today’s competitive healthcare landscape. Our team of experts – including nationally recognized leaders in design, digital media, operations, and financial intelligence – is dedicated to helping you succeed.
Are there discounts available for larger groups?
We provide discounts for large groups to help you bring all your key team members that will help you scale your practice. Speak with one of our practice growth advisors about special pricing for your group!
Does the event fee include meals?
Yes. Attendees will enjoy breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday, along with evening networking events including a Welcome Reception on Thursday and a Happy Hour on Friday, each featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Can I transfer my registration to another person if I can't attend or receive a refund?
There are no refunds or cancellations if you cannot attend. However, you are able to transfer your ticket to another team member at your practice to attend.
What attire should be worn at the event?
Business casual attire is recommended. Bring a jacket or sweater as the ballroom is kept at a cool temperature!