We got the chance to have a chat with Servane Collette. Servane heads the business strategy of IMA and oversees daily operations such as clinical activities, marketing, sales and curriculums. Excelling in her job with 12 years of accumulated experience in the healthcare education sector, and more specifically within aesthetic medicine and anti-aging healthcare, she speaks about the day to day operations of the business and her life.
Servane, The Course Director
With online and onsite training options evolving rapidly in the medical aesthetics field, what particular training expertise do you feel IMA can uniquely offer in order to upgrade student’s medical aesthetic artistry and overall experience?
What strategy do you adopt in order to ensure your students receive the most valuable resources possible?
Managing student expectations can be a challenge, but equally managing other elements of the business can be challenging too. I aim to seek the right balance between profitability/success for the business and 5 star training, whilst considering that traines’ investment capacity can be limited at the start of their aesthetics career. Our challenge is to extend maximum value possible to participants without making it unaffordable to the mainstream `average’ physician.
To accomplish this, I leverage my relationship with suppliers to give the best value products in courses, ensuring our staff is equally engaged as part of that 5 star service. Every member of the team makes a difference and contributes to delivering student expectations.
How has your professional journey taken you from where you started to where you are today professionally?
I started out as a teacher as I always had a passion for education. This evolved into wanting to join the corporate world, managing a business dealing with education. I was initially involved in the commercial sales, then marketing, then in delivering international conferences for A4M in Thailand, Germany and later, in Dubai.
Whilst conducting a conference in Dubai for A4M, I made a fruitful encounter with Dr. Maria Khattar which led to us joining forces to build IMA and A4M Dubai. My dream could have not come true without Dr. Maria who always shared her amazing vision and impeccable standards of service.
How do you envisage the training field as evolving in a post-COVID 19 phase, both regionally and worldwide? 
Undoubtedly, the direction will be virtual. All businesses, not just education, have somehow adapted their services to be online. For IMA, it was a natural evolution as we already had several courses partly online, but we are now looking to introduce more webinars and courses totally online.
Our hands-on courses at our center in Dubai will remain our key feature, as long as this does not compromise the safety of participants during the COVID pandemic.
What is your assessment of the medical aesthetics training field in Dubai in terms of scope, expertise, challenges and potential?
The aesthetic medical market in Dubai is very developed and competitive, creating an undeniable opportunity for us. As more doctors, such as GPs and dentists, are looking to enter the field, our courses are increasingly in demand.
For those doctors already in practice, we remain a great education partner for them to ensure they maintain their skills whilst constantly advancing their techniques to keep abreast of new methods. This is essential for doctors to keep up with the competition and retain patients.
Furthermore, the aesthetic patient in the UAE is self-educated and aware of the plethora of treatments available, so it is essential for practitioners to keep updated in relation to trends and technologies.
How has your dedication to this arena translated into professional fulfillment?
My job exposes me to successful and talented physicians worldwide, not only cosmetic physicians but also physicians from all types of specialties like ENT, Plastic Surgery, gynecology and much more. Being in daily contact with a variety of skills, interests and cultures is enriching for me as I get to learn about their countries, their skills, their market, their vision. Personally this is fulfilling. Professionally, I feel a part of their success and career evolution.
The field of medical aesthetics is always evolving and as a professional working in this field you are therefore constantly evolving yourself. There is no space for non-driven professionals in this fast evolving medical aesthetic industry!
The world of medical aesthetics is progressing rapidly in terms of popular acceptance and range of treatments. What workshops and trainings are the most popular and why? Which haven’t worked as well and why?
Of the non-surgical workshops and trainings, the laser training has definitely gained popularity. Since this is now a prerequisite for practitioners to work legally with lasers in the UAE.
The Fillers and Toxins training has also seen an increase of interest, as GPs and now Dentists are entering this field. The number of GPs and dentists in any given market is very high which represents great potential for us.
Servane, The Woman
What disease scares you the most? Why?
Without a doubt, I would say cancer. So many people whom I know directly or indirectly have suffered from cancer, experiencing great pain. With promises of cures still low, this leaves me fearful about this disease.
Do you exercise? What is the ideal exercise prescription to look good and feel great?
I usually exercise at least three times a week, I love tennis and yoga. Stretching is part of my daily routine too, particularly after an intense game of tennis, it is soothing! I also believe in daily stretching for flexibility, muscle and joint health.
What is your pampering & relaxation routine?
I unwind through yoga, meditation, a pedicure/manicure or a massage. I aim to go to bed early and get eight hours of sleep every night. I value its importance to destress body and mind and to regenerate overall.
Of course, occasionally I get a special treatment from IMA Faculty, PRP is my favorite!
In what ways has COVID changed your thinking in terms of how you envisage your work, living your best life and enhancing your own wellbeing?
I believe COVID has re-centered priorities. I have always aimed to achieve work-life balance but COVID has emphasized the importance of the basics in life: food, sleep, company from family and friends and social interaction.
Work-wise COVID has also showed us that we can be effective in many ways, with different methods, working hours and environment. This has been a valuable eye opener for me.
