Retina Wealth Strategy ft. David Mandell; ASRS Biz Recap + Maria Berrocal on Surgical Tech

Hosts:John Kitchens, MDScott KrzywonosGuests:Thomas Stone, MD – Program Committee Chair, ASRS Business of Retina MeetingMaria Berrocal, MD – CEO, Drs. Berrocal & Associates; Associate Professor, University of Puerto RicoDavid Mandell, JD, MBA – Co-Founder & Partner, OJM GroupShow SummaryRetinUp brings together three distinct but interconnected conversations focused on the business, surgical innovation, and financial realities of retina practice.First, Tom Stone joins the show to preview the upcoming ASRS Business of Retina Meeting in Houston (March 20–22). He outlines this year’s agenda, which covers staffing strategies, AI in practice operations, drug inventory management, coding updates, and a new full-day clinical trials workshop designed to help practices launch research programs from the ground up.Next, in the Vitreoretinal View segment, Maria Berrocal discusses her experience using the Alcon UNITY VCS system, focusing on flow-based vitrectomy, 30,000 cpm performance, and the evolution of 27-gauge surgery. She also shares early observations comparing case times and complication rates versus legacy systems.For the long-form interview, David Mandell of the OJM Group offers a structured framework for physician wealth management across career stages—covering early-career planning, mid-career tax strategy and asset protection, and retirement-phase portfolio positioning.Topics CoveredASRS Business of Retina MeetingThe 2026 meeting agenda: staffing, AI implementation, and drug inventory strategyCoding updates and compliance (including Modifier -25)Launch of the Clinical Trials Workshop (capped at 80 participants, so register soon!)Dedicated business curriculum for fellowsVitreoretinal View – Surgical InnovationTransition from vacuum-based to flow-based vitrectomy on Alcon UNITY VCS27-gauge adoption and surface vitrectomy precisionReduced instrument frustrationsPhysician Wealth StrategyWhy retina specialists are unique when it comes to wealth strategyEarly-career debt balancing, disability protection, and lifestyle creepMid-career tax optimization and liability protectionRetirement red-zone portfolio repositioningAssessing private equity offersKey TakeawaysThe Business of Retina Meeting is will be in Houston March 20-22. Registration link below.Flow-based vitrectomy may meaningfully refine 27-gauge surgery.Financial discipline—not peak income—is what ultimately determines long-term security.Resources MentionedASRS Business of Retina Meeting – Register HereOJM Group – ojmgroup.comUse the code RetinUp26 to get a free copy of the book Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician: Residency to Retirement at the OJM Bookstore.