Name: Debbie McDonald, PA
Position: Physician Assistant
Years experience: 35
Biography: With over 35 years in the medical field, Debbie McDonald’s knowledge base includes everything from the latest in facial injections to the most technologically advanced laser treatments. Working with Dr. Flaharty for over 10 years, she has treated many of his face and neck lift patients to help postpone surgical intervention and after surgery to maintain and lengthen the value of their surgical procedure. Debbie has seen aesthetic fads come and go and knows how to create a treatment plan that stresses value, results, and longevity.
Name: Britten Stine, ARNP
Position: Nurse Practitioner
Years experience: 10
Biography: As one of Azul’s most popular injectors, Britten Stine is in high demand year-round, and especially during season. She is blessed with an artistic eye and a light touch and can deftly see what is needed to bring out the beauty and symmetry in each face. She works with a broad range of injectables and finds new solutions for patients. As a long-time fan of bio-stimulators like Sculptra, Britten was an early adopter of the Silhouette InstaLift thread lift procedures. She has become one of the most experienced InstaLift providers nationally and continues to thrill patients with the possibility of instant lifting.
Name: Emily Laeser, ARNP
Position: Nurse Practitioner
Can answer: 1
Years experience: 15
Biography: With a career start in nursing, Emily Laeser shifted to aesthetics about seven years ago. She began with sclerotherapy, laser hair removal, Botox and mid-face filler injections and has never looked back. Once she came to Azul and trained with Dr. Flaharty she expanded her filler experience and was able to create the balance and youthful softness needed for a successful Liquid Face Lift. She is also highly skilled with Azul’s newest laser, the HALO – the world’s first hybrid fractional laser. Using her knowledge and experience she can improve skin tone, texture and even fine lines for patients of all skin tones and skin colors.
Name: Joni Kellams, ARNP
Position: Nurse Practitioner
Years experience: 10
Biography: With both her ARNP and a Doctorate in Nursing, Joni came to Azul with strong skills in facial rejuvenation injections. She perfected her techniques and broadened her scope under the tutelage of Dr. Patrick Flaharty. With the vast selection of injectables Azul provides, her “palette” has greatly expanded, as has her ability to give patients the subtle or dramatic look they desire while never losing sight of her guiding principle of natural beauty. When it comes to light and laser services, her skillful and purposeful use of these tools gives patients skin they can joyfully live in. Removing sun-spots, fine lines, rough texture, discoloration and mild scarring gives her patients fresh youthful skin that needs little to no make-up and feels soft, resilient and younger. She is a firm believer that making small outward changes can create such an emotional lift that it’s almost magical!
Name: Lisa Gorman. LME
Position: Master Aesthetician
Years experience: 25
Biography: With over 25 years of experience, Lisa is one of Azul’s best skincare resources. She passionately believes that patients coming to a Medical Spa deserve to leave with true skincare – and that means improving skin tone and texture and working to resolve whatever issues exist. She enjoys using products and tools to address fine lines and wrinkles. Getting skin cells to renew and turn-over while removing old cells is key to success. She is also Masters-Level trained at CoolSculpting University. Azul is the largest provider of CoolSculpting in SW Florida and Lisa is a big part of that. She has the experience, training, and commitment to create a treatment plan that fits and then work to get you there.
Name: April Childers, LME
Position: Master Aesthetician
Years experience: 15
Biography: With a bachelor’s degree in Biology, April comes to aesthetics from both a scientific and an artistic side. Having advanced training with energy-based devices, she enjoys using CoolSculpting and Exilis to sculpt away stubborn fat pockets. And HydraFacial has almost completely replaced traditional facials for her patients – it’s almost impossible to match the results from this new technology. When it comes to beauty, the eyes most definitely have it. April’s microblading for brow shape and color is natural, symmetrical and just gorgeous.
Suzen Horn, MSN, RN-Clinical Nurse Educator
Name: Suzen Horn, MSN, RN-Clinical Nurse Educator
Position: Registered Nurse
Years experience: 20
Biography: Being your first point of contact and remains your primary contact right up to the day of your procedure when your care is transitioned to Dr. Flaharty, MD, FAACS clinical team. She is your direct one-on-one support for a high-level nurse like Suzie is a critical part to patients being thrilled with the result of their procedure.
With her unique history as a Critical Care Nurse, Nurse Educator, and her years with Dr. Flaharty, MD, FAACS, she is a invaluable asset in your aesthetic experience
Azul Front Desk Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs
Name: Azul Front Desk Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs
Position: Receptionist
Biography: Meet the A-Team! This wonderful group of passionate, professional women make Azul run. They are friendly, helpful and truly want the best experience for every Azul patient.
Name: Erica Current, LME
Position: Master Aesthetician
Years experience: 10
Biography: Erica Current brings a strong background in facial esthetics and a passion for skincare. Her interest in skin health began at an early age through her exposure to family members struggling with challenges as serious as skin cancer and troubling as acne. She learned the importance of healthy skin as well as the confidence and joy derived from beautiful skin.
Name: Angela Cordova, RN
Position: Registered Nurse
Years experience: 25
Biography: With over 15 years of experience in the aesthetic surgery field, Angela began with Azul as a Medical Assistant while going to school to complete her RN. Angela is a key member of the team that provides a unique and very special continuity of care for our patients. She works with Dr. Flaharty in each of Azul’s three locations and travels to work with him in Operating Room. Patients know they will see the same people before and after their surgery, and Dr. Flaharty has the benefit of working with a team that is intimately knowledgeable about each patient and their specific procedure.
Name: Kristy Dupre, LPN
Position: Licensed Practical Nurse
Years experience: 20
Biography: If you have surgery with Dr. Flaharty, you will have a Pre-Op visit with Kristy. And it will be the best Pre-Op visit you ever had! Kristy probably gets more positive mentions in our Patient Reviews than any other staff member (example below). She has a unique blend of light-heartedness and complete dedication and sense of responsibility. She takes her role seriously and will ensure that you feel well-informed, comfortable, confident and actually excited for you upcoming surgery.
Name: Cindy Doyle, CNA
Position: Medical Assistant
Years experience: 10
Biography: Cindy is a highly skilled and equally kind member of our clinical team. She works primarily in our Medical Spa and currently supports our busiest Master Injector, Britten Stine, ARNP. They function as an amazing duo, working to ensure that patient visits are timely, but not rushed. Cindy has the respect of her peers and is one of the friendliest of the Azul staff, her sunny disposition is contagious and you can truly sense her joy in working with people.
Name: Suzen Horn, MSN, RN
Position: Staff
Years experience: 25
Biography: With 22 years experience working as a nurse in both aesthetic and critical fields, Suzie is Azul’s very own Clinical Nurse Educator working in our three office locations: Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Naples. It’s her job to help patients really understand their options when it comes to surgical and non-surgical treatments and procedures – going beyond the basics to recommend custom treatments alongside Dr. Patrick Flaharty’s expert guidance. When you come to an Azul educational seminar, expect Suzie to be right there greeting you and always available to answer your questions!
Name: Max Dean
Position: APRN Owner
Years experience: 20
Biography: Max Dean is our Operations Manager and our newest edition here at Azul. She has 20+ years in office management and accounting and 5 years in the Dermatology and Aesthetic Management arena.
Max has a BA in Accounting and is a Certified Dermatology Tech (CDT), as well as a Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM). She mostly enjoys solving problems and making sure that everyone is working on being their best self but having fun at the same time. Being raised in the “Show Me State” (Missouri), Max believes most in showing people that their mission becomes her mission.
Max’s favorite word is TEAM and she believes that truly anything can be done when people group together and lift each other up.
Catherine Kennedy-Campbell
Name: Catherine Kennedy-Campbell
Position: Practice Manager
Years experience: 20
Biography: Catherine Kennedy-Campbell, M.B.A. has more than 20 years experience specializing in healthcare management. She has been employed by the Cleveland Clinic, NCH Healthcare System and Community Health Partners. Prior to joining Azul, she operated a consulting company assisting physicians and healthcare organizations in Southwest Florida. She is also an active member of numerous volunteer organizations throughout our community.
Question
Answer Header & Date
Answer Snippet
Am I a Candidate for eye lift or brow lift surgery?
Under Eye Wrinkles
Jul 15, 2022
Your photographs show mild wrinkling and redundancy of the lower eyelid skin. There are several good options to treat these wrinkles. A pinch technique is a delicate surgical technique where a small amount of skin is trimmed out right under the lower eyelid lashes. The incision is hidden in the natural crease under the eyelashes and this tightens the envelope of skin reducing the wrinkles. A second option is a trichloroacetic acid peel (TCA peel) which is a medium depth chemical peel that…
Fat graft or removal?
Fat Grafting versus Fillers
May 27, 2022
For the small contour irregularities in your photographs fillers are by far the best option. Fillers are an easy, non-surgical options that is adjustable and reversible and perfect to address these small contour changes that occur with age. Fat grafting is much less predictable and forgiving and therefore not a practical way to address these changes. Consulting with a physician experienced in facial fillers is the best way to learn more about this option.
What is the best option to treat nasolabial folds before considering a facelift?
Fillers versus Facelift
May 27, 2022
Your photographs demonstrate mild to moderate laxity of the lower face and neck with prominent nasolabial folds. A lower face and neck lift is the best way to correct the sagging and laxity of the lower face and neck and this will also improve the nasolabial fold. That said, a lower face and neck lift will not fully correct the nasolabial fold and many patients will add filler to further improve the nasolabial fold even after surgery. So if it’s the nasolabial fold that concerns you perhaps…
How can I improve the texture/laxity of my neck?
Neck Aging
May 27, 2022
Your photographs demonstrate both laxity of the neck and wrinkling of the skin. A surgical neck lift is the best way to rejuvenate this area as it will tighten and reshape the neck while simultaneously reducing the visibility of the wrinkles. Non-surgical treatments including topical skin preparations and radiofrequency with microneedling can improve the texture of the skin but will not improve the laxity as much as a lift so this would result in a more partial improvement. My recommendation…
Why do doctors perform the facial fat transfer procedure?
Facial Fat Transfer
May 20, 2022
Facial fat transfer has grown in popularity over the years as the technique has become more sophisticated and predictable. That said, it still has its challenges including undercorrection with loss of fat and the potential for contour irregularities, especially under the eyes. Lower eyelids in particular are very technique dependent, but with good technique you can avoid problems and achieve excellent results. We routinely perform full face fat augmentation including the lower eyelids as…