Meet the Speakers

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF EMPIRE MEDICAL TRAINING

Dr. Cosentino launched Empire Medical Training in 1998 to focus on the Pain Management segment of healthcare, with a strong vision and expectation to expand into other healthcare delivery segments. Today, through his clinical expertise and educational leadership, Empire Medical Training is recognized as the global leader in the continuing medical and aesthetic education and procedural training seminar industry for physicians and healthcare professionals.

Dr. Cosentino is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has more than 20 years of clinical experience in the Medical Education Segment of Healthcare. He serves as Empire Medical Training’s President, and Medical Director. Dr. Cosentino’s worldwide reputation as a celebrity-status physician has earned him a prominent role as the go-to consultant and mentor for physician practices of all specialties including Aesthetics, Anti-Aging, and Pain Management throughout the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and South America.

Dr. Chris Croley

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR EMPIRE MEDICAL TRAINING & PANELIST

Dr. Croley’s extensive training at Rush and Northwestern Universities in Chicago, as well as his board certifications in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, have made him an authority in the medical field. In addition to his patient care, Dr. Croley has a passion for educating medical professionals. He has held various leadership positions, including Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Associate Director of Resident Education, and has trained thousands of medical professionals as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of Aesthetics for Empire Medical Training.

Dr. Croley’s expertise with energy-based devices has broadened the range of conditions he can treat, and he shares his knowledge as a speaker for several laser and energy-based device companies. Dr. Croley co-hosts the Beauty & The Brain™ podcast, where he and Jerry Drinkard discuss the latest advancements, trends, and controversies in the aesthetic industry. Dr. Croley’s dedication to improving patient care and medical education is evident in his involvement with numerous medical societies and his constant evaluation of new technologies and educational methods.

Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST & DERMATOLOGIC SURGEON

Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera is a multi-award-winning, world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, cosmetic laser expert, and is board-certified with a fellowship in dermatology from the American College of Osteopathic Dermatology. He is one of the most requested speakers for non-invasive cosmetic dermatology, lecturing internationally at the world’s biggest conferences and gatherings of aesthetic masters. For the past decade, he has developed groundbreaking signature techniques in his multi-award-winning aesthetic medical practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera has over 20 years of advanced training in lasers and aesthetic medicine and is a clinical researcher and published author of medical literature. He is the former Chief Medical Director of the Dermatology Residency program at NOVA University and an Assistant Professor of Dermatology for Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Larkin Community Hospital, and Universidad del Rosario in Bogota, Colombia. Dr. Aguilera is a top-requested international physician trainer and keynote speaker for Cynosure lasers, Allergan, Galderma, MERZ, Evolus, Solta, BTL, Dermira, Skinceuticals, and L’Oréal.

Dr. Sheila Barbarino

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGEON & COSMETIC SURGEON

Sheila Barbarino, MD, FAAO, FAACS, FACS, is a world-renowned, award-winning, board-certified oculofacial plastic and full-body cosmetic surgeon. She is best known for her comprehensive, naturalresults approach to both nonsurgical and surgical procedures for all body and skin types. Additionally, Dr. Barbarino is known within the aesthetic industry for her extensive, artful expertise and mastery of nonsurgical modalities with fillers, threads, and laser technology to help patients achieve pleasing, natural looking facial and body rejuvenation.

She is a world-renowned lecturer, teacher, and trainer at medical symposiums who focuses on cutting edge technology and new innovative techniques. She is an exceptionally sought-after key opinion leader in our industry, serves on multiple advisory boards, is a published author of over 15 peer-reviewed publications, and is a busy surgeon with patients who travel from near and far for her expert opinion. She is a proud member of ASOPRS, AAFPRS, AACS, AAO, and ACS.

Dr. Sebastian Cotofana

WORLDWIDE PROFESSOR OF ANATOMY

Sebastian Cotofana holds currently the position of an Associate Professor of Anatomy in the Department of Clinical Anatomy at Mayo Clinic, Campus Rochester, MN, USA.

He graduated medical school from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany and completed two programs during his academic training: Ph.D. in Medical Sciences and Ph.D. Anatomy. He additionally received clinical training in Trauma Surgery in Altoetting, Germany, Pretoria, South Africa and Tokyo, Japan.

His interest in research began early in his career in gastro-enterology and knee osteorarthirtis, but turned soon toward facial anatomy and its clinical applications for plastic surgery, dermatology and aging medicine.

The major focus was and is patient safety and how to best tailor and direct surgical and non-surgical treatments for the most optimal outcome. To reach the international scientific and clinical community, Sebastian Cotofana, has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters. He additionally teaches worldwide online and in-person anatomy courses with and without hands-on experience to guide and to increase the knowledge and the ability of health care providers.

Dr. Azza Halim

BOARD-CERTIFIED ANESTHESIOLOGIST & AESTHETIC AND ANTI-AGING SPECIALIST

Dr. Halim completed her medical training at Northwestern University in Chicago. She is a board-certified Anesthesiologist with fellowship training in Critical Care/Trauma, where she managed Surgical ICUs and also completed fellowships in Pediatric Anesthesia and Pain Management. Additionally, Dr. Halim completed a research fellowship in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics at Northwestern University. She then specialized in Functional Medicine and Aesthetics, and currently has practice locations in Florida, California, and Chicago. Dr. Halim went on to become the National Director for a publicly traded healthcare company, has her own Medspa Consulting Company, and serves as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) for many companies, as well as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for several others.

She has been featured in Buzzfeed for her trademarks and has also appeared in Vogue, GQ, Glamour, ABC News, and many other publications. Dr. Halim is a leading international and national speaker, educator, and faculty member at numerous Dermatology/Plastic Surgery conferences. She is an expert in lasers and is renowned for her expertise in PDO threads. With a keen artistic eye in aesthetics and a comprehensive understanding of anti-aging treatments, Dr. Halim has been trained by leading experts in the industry. Her diverse background and extensive experience make her one of the most sought-after physicians globally.

Lyris Verdura-Dominic, NP

BOARD-CERTIFIED NURSE PRACTITIONER & PDO THREADS SPECIALIST

Lyris is a renowned, internationally recognized educator, trainer, speaker, Key Opinion Leader (KOL), and expert specializing in PDO Threads, as well as family and internal medicine, wound care, and emergency/urgent care, among others. She is an ANCC board-certified family nurse practitioner with a specialization in aesthetics/cosmetic dermatology. In this field, she utilizes her unique PDO Threads Signature techniques and is known for training many top aesthetics experts and KOLs, earning her the nickname IG: Lyris_Thread_Slayer.

Lyris also possesses broad expertise in medical research and Pharma Research. Her approach to patient care involves using various techniques, devices, and combination therapies to provide optimal Biorejuvenation and Facial Harmonization/Balancing, yielding exceptional results and longevity. Lyris strongly believes in fostering community over competition, ensuring that everyone she encounters achieves greater success as a medical professional, delivers the latest in aesthetics, and reaches their full potential. As a strong advocate for continuing education, Lyris actively seeks out and incorporates the latest Korean and international technologies and techniques to provide her delegates with exceptional training and offer superior care to her patients.