We recently connected with Christina Stumpf and have shared our conversation below.

Christina , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

As a new graduate out of medical school, I sat for my board certification exam and was eager to get to work. I had gone straight from undergraduate school to get my masters degree in a full time program, so I had not seen a paycheck in several years. However, it was unbelievably difficult trying to find an opportunity as an unseasoned new medical professional. Most job offerings required at least a year of experience in order to even be considered. After a couple months of incessant job searches and application submissions, I came across a job opportunity at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center – a top 10 teaching hospital. This job was in general surgery – a field I really enjoyed during clinical rotations – and required a minimum of 5 years of experience in laparoscopic surgery. Did I have 5 years of experience, or better yet, any experience in laparoscopic surgery? Nope! But I applied anyway.

A few weeks went by and I assumed that my application got overlooked, as all the prior ones had. To my surprise, I received a call from the administrative director of the department of surgery at UCSF. She wanted me to come in for an interview. I showed up in my suit, waited a good 45 minutes to meet with 3 surgeons, a gastrointestinal physician, and a director. When the dreaded question of my experience came up, I couldn’t lie. I spoke honestly about my surgical training during rotations but did not have the background they requested. What I did say though, was that I was eager to learn and willing to work as hard as necessary to become proficient. I was incredibly nervous.

Two tortuous weeks went by waiting for a response. I was out on a bike ride and my phone rang. It was the director asking if I would be interested in filling the position. Naive and unbelievably grateful, I accepted without even asking about salary or benefits!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

 

I am a Board Certified Physician Associate (PA-C) and have been practicing medicine for over 12 years.  My background is in general and plastic surgery, as well as medical aesthetics.   Operating across the table from a surgeon for 7 years fostered my critical eye and meticulous attention to detail.  For better or worse, I happen to be a perfectionist; so helping patients achieve the best result while working with my hands comes second-nature. 

At the beginning of the pandemic lock-down in 2020 I was scheduled to go into practice on my own with the opening of DermaPrecision – a boutique medical aesthetic practice located in North Scottsdale. To say the timing was not ideal is an understatement. Despite the initial limitations of the pandemic on top of the challenges of opening a new business, DermaPrecision is thriving in 2022!  

I am also a single mom of two beautiful and strong daughters, ages 6 and 7.  My kids and my work are my life!  When I’m not working or in “Mom-mode,” I love playing with my 6 month old goldendoodle Marley, staying active, eating good food, and traveling.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Treating my patients like my family. When someone walks in my door I am excited to see them and I share my enthusiasm for whatever their goals are that particular day. I am always honest. I take the time to educate and explain why I recommend a certain treatment or product, instead of just telling them they need it. Making each and every patient feel important translates to their want to share their experience with others. So my business has 100% grown most rapidly by word of mouth.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had been working at UCSF hospital in both general and then plastic surgery for 7+ years, and two children later, I found myself overextended. My hospital work days were very long and exhausting – I had little energy to offer my family at the end of the day. I knew something had to change. We moved to Arizona, closer to family. I brushed up on my aesthetic injectable knowledge and decided to start up a practice of my own. I was petrified, had zero business background, and didn’t have a clue where to start. Looking back now over two years later, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dermaprecision.com
• Instagram: @derma.precision
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DermaPrecisionMedspa

Image Credits
LivPhotography