The American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) has unveiled its prestigious list of Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics 2025, honoring 25 exceptional leaders who exemplify excellence, innovation, and empowerment in the rapidly growing medical aesthetics sector. These trailblazing medical spa professionals will be celebrated at the Distinguished Women Awards Dinner during the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC), taking place October 3–5, 2025, at the luxurious Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
What Makes the Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025 Program Special?
The Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025 program represents the pinnacle of recognition in the medical spa industry. AmSpa’s rigorous selection process evaluated nominees based on leadership excellence, clinical innovation, industry impact, mentorship capabilities, and community engagement.
Selection Criteria for Medical Aesthetics Leaders
A Distinguished Woman in Medical Aesthetics exhibits a unique combination of professional excellence:
- Business Leadership: Leads successful, dynamic medical spa practices
- Clinical Excellence: Trains effectively on injection techniques while prioritizing patient safety
- Culture Building: Maintains positive, inclusive work environments
- Industry Impact: Makes significant contributions to the medical aesthetics profession
- Resilience: Creates their own path and overcomes challenges
- Innovation: Fosters growth and evolution in aesthetic treatments
- Risk-Taking: Takes charge of business decisions and calculated risks
- Passion: Demonstrates genuine commitment to medical aesthetics and patient care
Complete List of Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025 Recipients
Medical Spa Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Providers
The majority of medical aesthetics leaders recognized in 2025 are advanced practice providers, reflecting the nursing-driven nature of the industry:
Nurse Practitioners Leading Medical Spa Innovation:
- Traci Andreason, FNP-C – Owner/CEO, Rise Rejuvenation Center
- Brooke Bentley, FNP-BC – Owner, Bentley Medical and Aesthetics
- Bobbi Bullock, NP-C – Owner, Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics
- Brandi Gregge, FNP-BC – Founder, Mint & Needle
- Cheryl Haseeb, FNP, DNP – Owner, Pura Medical Aesthetics
- Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC – President, Injectability Clinic and Institute
- Shelby Miller, DNP, FNP-C – Founder, RUMA Medical
- Vrinkley Pruna, NP-BC – Clinical Director, SHAPE & SKIN Medical Spa & Weight Loss
- Andrea Thayer, APRN – Founder, Exclusive Med Aesthetics & Hair Restoration
- Sharonda Walton, ANP-BC – Owner, Royalty Wellness Spa
- Chakika Williams, DNP, FNP-BC – CEO, SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses:
- Michelle Doran, APRN-BC, CANS – Owner, RN Esthetics
- Ryann Lavenia, CRNA, APRN – Founder and CEO, Face It Botox Bar
Physician Leaders in Medical Aesthetics
Board-Certified Physicians Advancing the Industry:
- Sheila Barbarino, MD, FAAO, FAACS, FACS – CEO, Barbarino Surgical Arts
- Tracy Blusewicz, MD, FACOG – Director and Founder, Aspire Medical Spa
- Jennifer Linder, MD, FAAD, FACMS – Founder, Linder Health
- Jennifer Walden, MD, FACS – Owner, Dr. Jennifer Walden Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Tanya Lawson, ND – Founder, Inbloom Health + Medispa
Registered Nurses and Clinical Specialists
RN Leaders Driving Clinical Excellence:
- Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS – Founder, Georgous Aesthetic Bar
- Sonya Ellis, RN, CPSN, CANS – Co-owner, the L.A.B. Med Spa
- Erica Oakes, RN, CANS – Founder, Culture Aesthetics & Wellness
Business Leaders and Medical Spa Directors
Executive Leadership in Medical Aesthetics:
- Amanda Hopper – Med Spa Director, Founder and CEO, The AH Method
- Erika Smith, PA-C – Director, Spa 3:16
Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC) 2025: Premier Medical Spa Event
The WALC conference has established itself as the most exclusive leadership retreat for women in aesthetics. This transformative three-day experience brings together the industry’s most accomplished female professionals for networking, education, and recognition.
WALC 2025 Event Details
When: October 3-5, 2025
Where: Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
What: Distinguished Women Awards Dinner, leadership sessions, networking
Notable WALC 2025 Faculty and Speakers
The medical aesthetics conference features renowned experts from both aesthetics and business:
- Jamie Kern Lima – Founder of IT Cosmetics
- Cy Wakeman – Leadership visionary and bestselling author
- Jane Wurwand – Co-founder of Dermalogica
- Kendra Bracken-Ferguson – Founder of Braintrust
Why Women’s Leadership Matters in Medical Aesthetics Industry
The medical aesthetics industry is uniquely positioned as a female-dominated field, with women comprising the majority of both practitioners and patients. This makes the Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics recognition particularly significant for industry advancement.
Industry Statistics and Female Leadership Impact
According to AmSpa data, women represent:
- 75%+ of medical aesthetics practitioners
- 80%+ of medical spa patients
- 60%+ of medical spa business owners
“Women leaders have their own set of unique needs and, as an industry made up of majority female professionals and serving majority female patients, it’s time we focus on meeting these needs.”
Key Success Factors for Medical Spa Owners
Essential Elements Demonstrated by 2025 Distinguished Women
- Prioritizing patient safety in all aesthetic treatments
- Maintaining current certifications and continuing education
- Implementing evidence-based injection techniques
- Following medical spa best practices and protocols
- Building inclusive, positive workplace cultures
- Developing strong mentorship programs for staff
- Creating sustainable business growth models
- Maintaining financial health and profitability
- Active participation in professional medical aesthetics organizations
- Contributing to industry education and training programs
- Mentoring emerging medical spa professionals
- Advocating for industry standards and regulations
- Advanced injection techniques and product knowledge
- Energy-based devices for skin and body treatments
- Digital patient consultation and follow-up systems
- Practice management software and efficiency tools
Medical Aesthetics Industry Trends Reflected in 2025 Recipients
Emerging Specializations, Technology Leadership & Professional Development Insights
The Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025 recipients represent diverse specializations:
Many recipients lead in adopting new medical aesthetics technologies:
Clinical Development
- Advanced certification in aesthetic procedures
- Ongoing education in new techniques and products
- Safety protocol implementation and training
- Patient outcome documentation and improvement
Leadership Growth
- Team management and culture building
- Business development and strategic planning
- Industry networking and professional relationships
- Mentoring and knowledge sharing with colleagues
Community Engagement
- Professional organization membership and participation
- Industry conference speaking and education
- Local community health and wellness initiatives
- Medical spa industry advocacy and standards development
Actionable Takeaways for Medical Spa Success
Key Lessons from Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025
-
1Prioritize EducationInvest in comprehensive training and certification programs
-
2Build RelationshipsEngage with professional organizations and industry networks
-
3Focus on SafetyAlways prioritize patient safety and evidence-based practices
-
4Develop Business SkillsLearn financial management and leadership capabilities
-
1Mentor OthersShare knowledge and experience with emerging professionals
-
2Stay CurrentContinuously update skills and adopt new technologies
-
3Build CultureCreate inclusive, positive work environments for staff and patients
-
4Community EngagementContribute to industry advancement and local community health
-
1InnovationLead adoption of new treatments and business models
-
2StandardsAdvocate for industry best practices and regulatory compliance
-
3EducationContribute to training programs and professional development
-
4NetworkingBuild strategic relationships across the medical aesthetics ecosystem
Celebrating Excellence in Medical Aesthetics Leadership
The Distinguished Women Medical Aesthetics 2025 recipients represent the pinnacle of achievement in the medical spa industry. Their recognition at the WALC conference not only celebrates individual accomplishments but sets standards for the entire medical aesthetics profession.
For medical spa professionals seeking to advance their careers and practices, these distinguished women provide clear examples of what’s possible when clinical excellence meets visionary leadership. Their diverse backgrounds and specializations demonstrate the many pathways to success in the rapidly growing medical aesthetics industry.
As the industry continues evolving, the leadership, innovation, and mentorship demonstrated by these 25 distinguished women will help shape the future of medical aesthetics, ensuring continued growth while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and clinical excellence.
