Surgeon Testimonials

"Dr. Jim Polakof has been a fountain of good advice for my plastic surgery practice. Not only has he been accurate in his diagnosis of the weaknesses, but he has been most helpful in implementing the cures for these ailments. His follow through has been timely and diligent. Jim also produced a practice DVD which was expertly done in a timely fashion, was of the highest quality, and which also came in under budget!

I give him an unqualified "Superior" rating as a practice management and marketing consultant, and recommend him to those who are looking for such an individual."

PS: Jim, I have always been a great admirer of yours, for many reasons. Not only are you a most wise individual, but you are an energetic person who is an inexhaustible source of good and useful ideas. Thanks once again for all you've done for me and my practice. It's in large part due to you that we are successful as we are!

George Sanders, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Encino, California

To Whom It May Concern,

Dr. James Polakof and his HMA staff have effectively coordinated our practice marketing for the past year. During this period of time they have created an excellent new website for my practice. Due to their productive SEO and Social Media efforts (coordinated by Michelle Polakof, CSMS), each month inquiries from prospective aesthetic patients continue to grow.

The first of our seminar series conducted by Dr. James Polakof was a huge success. Over 300 prospective patients attended filling the Mission Inn to capacity. Additionally, Drs. James and Gloria Polakof produced a superior video presentation, including patient testimonials, which has become a strong marketing tool for my practice. Dr. James Polakof has been a trusted, dependable consultant providing sound, timely advice.

I have been appreciative and very pleased with the services HMA has provided. I heartily recommend them in marketing aesthetic procedures for plastic surgery practices.

Postscript:  Jim, Gloria, and Michelle:

Again, thanks to HMA for ALL your help over the last 18 months. Many thanks for the help, advice and education you have provided me and our practice. I thank you Gloria and Michelle for your great work with all your help and in particular social media!!

Sincerely;

Robert A. Hardesty, M.D.

President, California Society of Plastic Surgeons

Imagine Plastic Surgery – Riverside, CA

" Memo to: Dr. James Polakof"

Jim,

All of the physicians at Marietta Plastic Surgery want to express our gratitude for your assistance during your tenure with our practice. Of particular note, your planning, guidance, and production of our informative practice DVD was truly professional. We all feel that the assistance you gave us in finding, interviewing, and hiring an additional patient coordinator as well as the training you gave to all of our patient coordinators was critical to our success. The re-vamping of our website was very well done and many patients have commented on the aesthetic appeal of the website. You have also be available and promptly responsive to any inquiry and always carried yourself with the utmost of professionalism. Again, thank you for help in improving our practice a multitude of ways."

Keith Hanna, MD FACS - Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons

Marietta Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, Georgia

President, Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons.

cc: Keith West, MD, Michael McNeel, MD, Thaddeus Fabian, MD

I am a plastic surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area. My practice is a mature cosmetic surgery. I have two offices locations. My practice has always been successful but in 2013 to 2014 I had much turnover in staff and it was affecting my efficiency in the practice and constant headaches. I was advertising daily with out good results. After six months of trying, I needed help.

HMAPRO came highly recommended from an employee in the office who worked with them in the past. They found 3 new employees for the office. The patient coordinator came from the east coast and has worked out perfectly. We hired a receptionist who is still with us after 6 months and is learning the cosmetic surgery field and has become the manager of the office. The third person was an assistant to the patient coordinator and did a great job until her family situation changed. The HMAPRO team work with the staff to stream line the process from phones to booking of surgeries. The office is back to being stable and efficient. I can finally concentrate on other aspects of the practice.

I highly recommend HMAPRO. They were reasonably priced, always available and a full spectrum service; even social media.

They will do a fine job for anyone starting a medical practice or in need of a tune-up.

Miguel Delgado, Jr., M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - San Francisco, CA

"Dear Dr. Polakof,

We appreciate your and Michelle's efforts in expanding our marketing efforts at Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center. Over a seven month time frame I perceive the website upgrade, improved positioning on the Internet, initiation of a social media campaign, and You Tube video productions as high points and definitive improvements for the practice. We appreciate your diligence and persistence in "moving the ball forward" at all times to get much accomplished in a short period of time. Hopefully, progress will continue as marketing efforts are brought "in house" and build upon what your team has set in place. Thanks again and wishing you all the best,"

Rhett High, M.D.

Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center

"Dear Dr. Polakof,

The consistent high quality of the courses is a primary factor in the meeting's success and we certainly appreciate your part in helping us maintain these standards. The Aesthetic Society is extremely fortunate to have dedicated individuals, such as you, who are willing to contribute their valuable time and expert knowledge to our scientific program. Having participated in the preparation and presentation of teaching course ourselves, we fully appreciate the immense effort that you have made."

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.

"Dr. James Polakof and his staff have been responsible for a significant increase in cosmetic surgery patient response and revenues for my practice during the past year. Dr. Polakof excels in both strategic and creative marketing and has contributed immensely to the management and administration of this practice.

In addition to recruiting and training an excellent patient counselor, he has established and currently manages an efficient, productive follow-up system, which has lead to booking a greater number of consultations and surgical procedures.

His fine aesthetic taste and creativity have provided excellent marketing tools for my practice, including newspaper advertisements, brochures and an outstanding video presentation. The seminar which Dr. Polakof developed, marketed and orchestrated was a huge success.

I wholeheartedly appreciate his superb skills and enthusiastically recommend Dr. Polakof to medical practices seeking management counsel and strategic creative marketing services."

Leonard W. Glass, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - San Diego, California

"Dr. Polakof has served as my Practice Manager for more than two years. He was involved in all aspects of practice management, including staff supervision, payroll and financial coordination. In addition, Dr. Polakof created and implemented a comprehensive, on-going marketing program for my practice. This included web site creation and management, video production, television commercial production,TV commercial writing and placement, newspaper and magazine advertising design and placement, brochure design, writing and printing coordination, and successful press coverage development. He also established and supervised a comprehensive patient counseling program, including an efficient database to insure timely and effective prospective patient follow-up.

Dr. Polakof and I worked closely together and his counsel along with strategic planning was greatly appreciated. He was instrumental in converting my practice which primarily focused upon reconstructive surgery to predominantly aesthetic procedures which now constitute 90% of my surgical activities. I enthusiastically recommend his management and marketing skills to practices which specialize in cosmetic surgery, or wish to increase their aesthetic procedures."

Steven M. Zoellner, M.D.

Pinehurst Plastic Surgery Specialists, P.A.

Pinehurst, North Carolina

To Whom It May Concern:

Under the direction of Michelle Polakof, CSMS, HMA has successfully performed Social Media marketing for our practice. We have been impressed how effectively they perform their services during daytime and evening hours on a timely basis with exceptional creativity. As a result, response from new prospective patients has been excellent. We wholeheartedly recommend their services.

Sincerely;

Kendra Neves

Office Managaer

NorthShore Plastic Surgery

Benjamin J. Boudreaux, M.D.

“Dr. James Polakof and his team at HMA have consulted with my practice for over a year and provided valuable marketing and management advice. During this time, Dr. Polakof has been actively engaged in staff training which has benefited my practice. He also made improvements in my web site, facilitated a productive Internet marketing program, created effective magazine advertisements and produced an excellent video presentation for my practice. I am pleased to recommend his services”.

Stewart P. Wang, M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Upland & Alhambra, CA

Addendum:

“Dr. Polakof: Just wanted to let you know that your way is really working for us in Upland. Lysette is on a roll…she booked $29,000 worth of surgery just this morning! Thanks for all your help.

Sincerely,

Danielle Urrutia

Wang Plastic Surgery Front Office Coordinator

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

To: James Polakof, PhD; Gloria Polakof, PhD

RE: Plastic Surgery Instructional Course Evaluations

"On behalf of the ASPS Annual Meeting Council and the Instructional Course Committee, I would like to thank you for presenting your course entitled, “Meeting the Challenge of Today’s Economy and Maximizing Staff Productivity” held during Plastic Surgery 2009 in Seattle this past October. Attached are your instructional course evaluations for your review. Please note that this evaluation summary provides evidence that the program content was effective in meeting identified educational needs and will be used in the planning process for future educational programs to help identify the educational needs of our members. Again, thank you for your participation in the 2009 program. Your support of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is greatly appreciated."

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Note: Based upon course evaluations, 100% of the attendees plan to implement Dr. Polakof's strategies in their practices.

Christopher Chung

Plastic Surgeon - Glendale, California

"Very beneficial. I could completely related to the information provided. Great tips on external and internal marketing, and good pointers on how to relate to, and bond with, prospective patients."

Natalie Granier

David Metzner, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Metarie, Louisiana

"I found Dr. James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof to be very helpful, knowledgeable and ethical regarding public relations and the marketing of my practice."

Richard D. Anderson, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Scottsdale, Arizona

"Dr. Polakof, the practice is busy due to your excellent work. Your written materials have gotten kudos from some of the Proctor & Gamble employees that work in marketing. We are continuing to plan on our office OR spring/summer. Thanks for all your help."

Peter J. McKenna, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Cincinnati, Ohio

"Dr. James Polakof is professional, goal-oriented and highly knowledgeable in his field of promotion of medical practices. Dr. Polakof and his group do an excellent job in practice enhancement. I strongly recommend them."

David L. Wolf, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - La Jolla, California

"I have used the professional consulting services of Dr. James Polakof and found he has an accurate perception and analysis of the marketplace."

George John Alexander, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Las Vegas, Nevada

"The quality of work produced by Drs. Jim and Gloria Polakof is second to none and I highly recommend their services."

Donald L. Wehmeyer, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Abilene, Texas

Dear Jim,

OH MY GOD! The website is incredible and the best I have every had. I can't say enough great about it. I don't know what you have done for other doctors but I think you have totally outdone yourself.

Thank you so much,

James Romano, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - San Francisco, California

"Thanks to you, our schedule through June and most of July has been filled, and I am on track to my best month here!"

Juris Bunkis, M.D., F.A.C.S

Plastic Surgeon - Orange County, California

"New patients have told us that their decision to contact my office resulted from the highly favorable impression that the advertisements created by Dr. Polakof and his staff made."

David M. Metzner, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - New Orleans, Louisiana

"Dr. James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof did exactly what they said they were going to do and it worked out virtually exactly how they said it would. Our practice has at least doubled."

Gareth Strand, M.D. and J. Christopher Hastings, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Reno, Nevada

"Dr. Polakof was instrumental in developing a program that jump started my practice in a new location and I have been busy ever since."

Graham M. Kemsley, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - Irvine, California

"I wish to extend my appreciation to Dr. Polakof and his staff for the excellent marketing campaign they implemented for the seminar we recently staged. Almost 400 prospective patients attended which was far beyond my original expectations. I know my practice will benefit immensely."

Eric S. Schaffer, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon - San Antonio, Texas

"I wish to express my appreciation for the excellent services Dr. Polakof and his firm have provided my practice. I am more than pleased to recommend his services."

H. George Brennan, M.D.

Facial Plastic Surgeon - Newport Beach, California

"The marketing concepts of Dr. James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof were original, as well as tasteful. I feel they have been the primary reason why my practice has successfully evolved into cosmetic surgery."

Maurice P. Sherman, M.D.

Facial Plastic Surgeon - Del Mar, California

"I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional service Dr. Polakof has provided for my practice. He facilitated the transition of my practice from a general dermatological entity into a successful cosmetic oriented organization."

Bernard I. Raskin, M.D.

Dermatologist - Valencia, California

"I would like to take this opportunity to commend and congratulate you and your organization for the superb work that you provided to me and my office. I am most impressed with the superb  communication that you and your staff provided me during the project of the creation of a new cosmetic patient brochure, creative newspaper advertising, and scripts for upcoming radio commercials.

In addition to the quality of skill demonstrated by you and your staff, you and your people also showed unique service aspects that deserve special mention. These include the fact that you stick to your word regarding scheduling and follow through on projects. I could always count on you to get back to me and have work done on time. Unlike other companies that I have used, you were receptive to hear my ideas and were willing to incorporate them into your projects for me. You always maintained an open ear policy and welcomed my input."

Robert M. Peppercorn, M.D.

Dermatologist - Yuba City, California

"With the help of Dr. James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof we were able to transform our practice from mostly dermatology to mainly cosmetic surgery. I would not hesitate the recommend their creative and strategic services."

Robert C. Langdon, M.D.

Dermatologist - Madison, Connecticut

"Dr. James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof are knowledgeable professionals who conduct themselves in a thoroughly professional manner. They are creative, competent, ethical, personable and easy to work with."

R. Lanny Hunter, M.D.

Dermatologist - Flagstaff, Arizona

"Dr. Polakof and his associates at HMA helped us to establish a mission and goals that could expand our vision for future success. All of this has been done with a great deal of professionalism and inspiration."

Janet Neigel, M.D.

Ophthalmologist - West Orange, New Jersey

"I can not imagine how we could have been more successful and I would attribute all of this to Dr. Polakof, his excellent staff and excellent abilities in marketing our procedures."

Steven G. Pratt, M.D.

Ophthalmologist - La Jolla, California

"I wish to thank Dr. Polakof and his staff for getting my new cosmetic surgery practice off and running with such as bang."

Fredric A. Stern, M.D.

Ophthalmologist - Seattle, Washington

"Dr James Polakof and HMA have a very organized program for structuring a cosmetic surgeon’s medical office. Dr Polakof’s input on how to handle Dr. Todd Malan’s SmartLipo patients from the initial phone calls straight through to follow-up, was indispensable. His knowledge and understanding of marketing and advertising was extremely helpful in increasing patient counts. He handled the creation and placement of advertising for the practice in a very professional manner and relieved us of a great deal of toil and guess work. Dr. Polakof's accessibility was greatly appreciated. We could reach him any time we had questions and he never hesitated to respond in a timely manner.

Dr James Polakof and Dr. Gloria Polakof were very talented at training our Patient Care Counselor staff."

Bruce A Woolf

Business Manager

Innovative Cosmetic Surgery Center

Todd K Malan M.D.

Scottsdale, Arizona

"Thanks for the superb job you have done, Jim! Sarah is much more accomplished and confident in her role as surgical scheduler thanks to your expert guidance! "

Warmest Regards,
George Sanders, M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

"I believe the selling techniques that you implemented kept us going during a down economy. I was your champion and I strongly believe in your methods."

Paula McCafferty
Marietta Plastic Surgery
Marietta, Georgia

"I cannot thank you for the support and advice you have given me. Your design of this position is paying off. For example, I just call a prospective patient and because of the partnering techniques you've developed she was thrilled to hear from me. This happens more often then not. The reaction I get from prospective patients is delightful rather than feeling like I'm imposing on their time.

Actually, I thank you quite often (under my breath). I call it the Polakof Prowess. The success of your work lies in the consistent support and recommendations offered by both you and Dr. Gloria. You have also done a wonderful job in training our staff, who now work as a team to support our efforts. By the way, the office continues to be busy. We have had great response from the ads you designed.
Lalee Stevens
Larry Leverett, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Phoenix, Arizona

Thank you! Meri! Grazie! Toda! Danke!

It was a pleasure working with all of you at this seminar event. I believe our businesses and visions compliment one another. We should do this again! Please extend our gratitude to your staff for their participation. On behalf of Dr. Erfani and his Team, we look forward to seeing you again.

Blessings,
Tuesdee Parker
Patient Counselor

"HMA gave me a tremendous amount of valuable information. The sessions were highly informative and the counseling on financing was very helpful."
Brian K. Slater
Wayne L. Dickason, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Olympia, Washington

"I really enjoyed the training and learned a lot. I now have a better concept of data base marketing and how to better influence prospective patients in making a positive decision."
Laurie Massery
David L. Buchannan, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Santa Barbara, California

"Again thank you. I know that you motivated our staff and it's always good to hear the message from experts."
Margerie Brown
Howard Dawkins, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Greenville, North Carolina

"Very informative. We were provided a lot of good information and I am confident I can increase our patient conversion ratio. I am now very motivated!"
Kim Mederios
Hoang Bui, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Anaheim, California

"Drs. James and Gloria Polakof, were professional and well organized. The material covered was high quality and I truly learned a great deal."

Ann Gallagher

Janet Neigel, M.D.

Ocular Plastic Surgeon - West Orange, New Jersey

"HMA provided us with some creative internal marketing ideas. I am more inspired and motivated to dig into our database and follow-up with prospective patients that may have fallen threw the cracks."
Kendel Christiansen
Michael B. Stevens, M.D., Ph.D.
Plastic Surgeon - Visalia, California

"We were so Impressed with HMA's entire training program. We learned new and better ways to book consultations and procedures. It was absolutely wonderful and motivating!"

Sharon Dawson & Jules Hardwick

Jeffrey Binstock, M.D.

Dermatologist - San Francisco, California

"Thank you - it was a great investment for our practice. I learned a lot and can't wait to share everything with my doctor and other staff members."
Nancy Jefferson
Heidi Gorsuch, M.D.
General Surgeon - Vero Beach, Florida

"Very informative training. I have successfully counseled patients for many years, but still learned things I had never considered. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Jane Perry
William J. Wolfeden, Jr., M.D.
ENT-Facial Plastic Surgeon - San Francisco, California