LACMA Unveils 2026 Business of Medicine Conference Speaker Lineup

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On May 16, physicians from across Los Angeles will gather at the Westin Pasadena for the 2026 Business of Medicine Conference—an event grounded in a simple but urgent idea: the challenges facing physicians today are complex, but solutions are within reach when the community comes together.

This year’s speaker lineup reflects that commitment, bringing together physician leaders, industry experts, and trusted advisors to deliver practical strategies across every dimension of practice.

Headlining the conference is Dr. Jessica Wu, returning by popular demand after hosting one of the most highly attended sessions in 2024. In her keynote, The Thriving Physician: Building Sustainable Careers & High-Performing Practices in Today’s Healthcare Economy, Dr. Wu will draw on her experience as a solo practitioner, entrepreneur, and founder of Residen to explore how physicians can navigate today’s evolving landscape with clarity and intention. Her approach blends data-driven decision-making, innovation, and operational strategy—grounded in the realities physicians face every day.

Across the breakout sessions, a consistent theme emerges: turning complexity into actionable insight.

Sessions on financial health and career strategy will feature financial advisor Christopher Walters, who will guide attendees through understanding compensation structures, retirement planning, and the financial implications of major career transitions.

As legal and regulatory pressures continue to grow, Bryan Dildy, JD, MPA, CPHRM, CPPS, will lead a session on risk management and compliance, offering practical guidance on protecting one’s career across employment settings—from contract negotiation to documentation and audit readiness.

For physicians navigating the realities of running or sustaining a practice, Dr. John Guiliana, nationally recognized speaker and co-author of The Million Dollar Practice, joins Chris Ruma to share a candid look at today’s financial and operational pressures. Their session focuses on strengthening practice performance through smarter financial management, workforce strategy, and operational efficiency—while preserving physician autonomy.

The conference also creates space for peer-to-peer insight through a mode of practice panel, featuring Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Dr. Stacey Ludwig, Dr. Christopher Libby, and Dr. Jeffery Lee. This discussion brings forward real-world perspectives on compensation, contracts, and the trade-offs shaping career decisions across different practice models.

Recognizing that financial performance is often influenced by factors physicians don’t always see, sessions on revenue optimization and value-based care will connect the dots between documentation, coding, payer contracts, and compensation outcomes. Dr. Greg Naman, alongside Brian Kern, Esq., Farhad Chowdhury, and Ellen Guenther, will explore how physicians can better align clinical work with financial performance while navigating models such as ACOs and capitation.

And in a session developed by LACMA’s Women Physicians Issues and Advocacy Committee, Dr. Susan Reynolds will lead a hands-on negotiation workshop, equipping physicians with the skills to assess their value and advocate effectively for compensation and support—an area where many physicians, particularly women, have historically been underserved.

Across every session, the goal is not theory—it is application. Not just information—but solutions.

Through LACMA, the Business of Medicine Conference continues to serve as a forum where physicians can step out of the day-to-day pressures of practice and engage in meaningful conversations about what’s next. It is where insight is shared, challenges are unpacked, and strategies are shaped, together.

As community remains the anchor across all LACMA events this year, the conference will close with Coffee & Cocktails following the keynote—offering attendees the opportunity to continue the conversation. Physicians can stay in the main ballroom for an interactive Q&A with Dr. Wu or step onto the veranda to connect with colleagues in a more informal setting.

Because in today’s healthcare environment, community is not just valuable. It is essential.

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FREE FOR LACMA MEMBERS. Space is limited.