Tell us about your relationship with your mom.
We’re very close. She had me at 25, and having a young mom meant we explored things like hair, clothes, and makeup together - the beauty world was all around me from the start. As a person she’s incredibly selfless and remains my biggest fan throughout my journey as a founder.
My mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer when I was 19 and she was 44. Her treatment course ultimately included a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. She shaved her head when she lost her hair from chemotherapy and strangers would compliment her and say she looked like GI Jane, a popular movie at the time. She was a trendsetter!
What do you remember most about being introduced to plastic surgery through your mom’s experience?
I saw the significance that aesthetics has on a patient early on. Before my mom’s experience, I thought of plastic surgery as a bit more superficial. I learned there’s so much more to the industry, particularly on the reconstructive side where the cosmetic and surgical worlds come together. Throughout her transition through surgery, healing, and finally reconstruction, it was so inspiring to see her feeling happy and healthy once she overcame those battles. My mom’s surgical journey was the beginning of my interest and respect for the industry.
How did her breast cancer journey influence your career path?
I worked with my mom’s plastic surgeon when I was around 19 years old, and got a job as a medical assistant in plastic surgery the following year in undergrad. I was inspired to go into aesthetics once I moved to NYC for grad school. I also worked in breast surgery during the beginning stages of founding JECT and learned how common breast cancer is in young patients, along with the importance of preventative care like mammograms and breast ultrasounds.
When you have any close relative that’s sick as a clinician, you really see how much of an impact you can have on others. I’ve always kept that in mind when I go to see my patients - it’s an investment in their self-care, and I want them to feel special. Sometimes on the medical side of healthcare there’s not as much control over that, but in the aesthetics industry we’re able to spend a lot of time thinking about how we can provide the best experience for our patients. I’m proud that so many of our patients look forward to seeing us - it’s an honor.
What have your patients taught you about the connection between medical aesthetics, confidence, and feeling like yourself?
I once had a patient’s husband call me to ask if I could see his wife that day. He told me, “My wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer this morning, and I know she always feels so much better after she sees you, so you were the first person I thought of. I know she won’t be able to do her usual routine once she starts treatment, so I’m hoping you can come in now.”
When patients go through dark times, they really do turn to looking and feeling better. It’s something they have control over at a time when you might feel a loss of control elsewhere. They don’t want to look “sick” and have people asking, “what’s wrong?” or “why do you look so tired?” It means a lot to take care of yourself during this time. No matter what life transition our patients are going through, we try to find options for everyone - whether it’s a medical diagnosis, pregnancy, or mental health concern - and customize a treatment plan that works to make our patients feel their best in any situation.
Looking back, how does your mom’s journey continue to influence the work you do today?
It’s something I’ve carried with me since. I ran the New York City Marathon for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and we’re donating a portion of our company-wide proceeds to breast cancer research this month in addition to a special offer for breast cancer survivors.
We design our treatment plans to be as personalized as possible for all of our patients, and this is particularly important for someone going through an invasive life event. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, I recommend starting with our personalized consultation that ensures safe and informed planning around your medical care. For those in the New York area, I recommend seeing Barret (Cobble Hill or West Village) who has gone through this journey and is an incredible resource.
Patients should always feel that their medical aesthetic provider is well informed about protocol and contraindications. We take the time to plan treatments around our patient’s lives no matter what they have going on. Sometimes that means planning around surgery or chemotherapy or booking a service you can look forward to post-treatment, like Sculptra following facial changes. My mom’s experience taught me how important it is to meet patients where they are, and that’s something I try to bring to every patient experience at JECT.