To help catapult the next generation of thought leaders into the next stage of their careers, Informa Markets Aesthetics (IM- Aesthetics; im-aesthetics.com) has created the Medical Aesthetic Vanguard Program (MVP). Intended for pioneering aesthetic specialists in practice ten years or less, who are on track to make significant contributions to the field of 
aesthetic medicine, this program provides all the tools necessary to increase exposure and foster priceless connections within the medical aesthetic industry.
There is a limited capacity to this program, so to become an “MVP” you must be invited or nominated by a colleague within the medical aesthetic industry. Those accepted as MVPs are given opportunities to strengthen their education, build status and legitimacy as a key opinion leader (KOL) and/or subject matter expert (SME), and receive national recognition, including this Aesthetic MVP feature profile.
For this issue, we interviewed Omotara Sulyman-Scott, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon who has been in practice for one year and has a passion for making her patients feel beautiful.
Dr. Sulyman-Scott discovered her love of caring for surgical patients during the seven years she worked as a registered nurse. Seeing the significant impact reconstructive and cosmetic surgery had on the lives of her patients led Dr. Sulyman-Scott to pursue a medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine where she graduated with honors. She then completed a five-year residency in otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a one-year residency in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
TAG: Dr. Sulyman-Scott, can you tell us what inspired you to become a medical professional?
I knew I wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember. My mom said I told her this when I was two years old and never wavered from that thought.
Being born in Nigeria, where quality healthcare is a scarce luxury, I also knew I had to contribute to making accessibility to quality care easier for the patients who need it most.
TAG: How and why did you choose your specialty?
My nursing career allowed me to have experiences in different aspects of medicine. I quickly realized that I really enjoyed caring for surgical patients. I was drawn to reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries after I realized the impact these surgeries have on the lives of those who seek them.
I love to make people feel beautiful and believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful. Like other cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic providers, I cannot deny the instant gratification I feel as I transform the facial appearance of my patients.
TAG: What is your primary area of interest within aesthetic medicine?
I focus on facial aesthetics. I am intrigued by the intricacy of the facial anatomy and how each facial feature contributes to the overall balance and beauty of the face.
TAG: Are you currently working on any clinical research studies related to your area of interest? Or any that you have recently finished?
I recently finished a research study on the use of PDO threads for nonsurgical rhinoplasty. I am very excited to continue exploring how PDO threads can be safely and effectively used in this area. I think this may be a viable, and safer, option to achieve specific changes in the nose when compared to dermal fillers.
TAG: What challenges do you think your generation, or the next generation, of aesthetic practitioners will face?
I think the biggest challenge is accepting that many patients seek less invasive, nonsurgical options – even when surgery would provide the most optimal result. My generation, and the next generation of practitioners, must be open to advances in medical technology and be willing to embrace new ways of achieving good aesthetic results.
We should also become comfortable dealing with “aesthetically educated” patients because social media now provides the public with an enormous amount of information about aesthetic procedures.
TAG: When it comes to your professional journey, where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself well established in a busy facial plastic surgery and facial aesthetic practice. As an African American female facial plastic surgeon, I hope to continue carving out a space in which my unique perspective can flourish.
TAG: Who is your biggest inspiration?
My mother – she had a very humble beginning and worked tirelessly to become a successful woman. She was the only female engineer at her school, and, despite severe hardships, she persevered without a chip on her shoulder. She is the kindest, most compassionate, most driven, most resilient and most selfless person I know.
TAG: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Look forward. This resonates with me especially in these current times of information overload. It is easy to lose sight of your goals, path and vision if you pay attention to all the noise around you. The only way to succeed is to continue to look ahead regardless of what happened in the past or what those around you are doing.
TAG: Name a product or service you love so much that you would happily be that company’s spokesperson?
This is a hard one! I only use products that I believe in or love. If I had to pick one thing right now, I would say the DermaposeTM fat transfer system is something that I think should have been created a long time ago. It is innovative, effective and a time saver!
TAG: What do you think is the greatest medical invention of all time?
This is another tough one! As a doctor, I would say any invention that is lifesaving e.g., ventilator, pacemaker, ability to transfer organs, etc.
As an aesthetic surgeon, I would say hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers. Although these fillers have their own risk profile, they are certainly less dangerous than prior fillers, which left patients severely disfigured.
TAG: Anything else you would like to share with your peers?
Aesthetic medicine is definitely a fun and rewarding specialty. As with all areas of medicine, care of aesthetic patients should not be taken lightly; every provider should do their due diligence to provide safe and optimal care. Medical decisions should never be driven by financial gain.
