American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine
AFFAM Fellows
Meet Our VIP Spring 2023 Fellow - Christopher Cotto, PA-C
For the greater part of the last decade, Chris has been in the busy and hectic world of emergency medicine. Coming off of the height of the COVID pandemic, Chris began looking outwards into the world of aesthetic medicine, which better matched his views of an ideal work-life balance, complemented by an ability to spend time helping patients feel better in a positive, non-urgent environment. His desire to pursue specialized training in aesthetic medicine was further motivated by his decision to open his own Medspa to provide safe, standardized treatments founded upon a rigid basis of structured aesthetic analysis and core facial injection techniques. Chris’ fellowship research project will study the dynamic volumetric shifts of the cheek during maximal smiling to catalog the natural appearance of human facial dynamics.
AFFAM Fellows
Meet Our VIP Fall 2022 Fellow - Stephanie Hynes, NP-C
Stephanie has a background in emergency medicine and has been gradually transitioning into aesthetic medicine over the last year. Having a daughter born with a cleft lip, she has seen first-hand the powerful impact of plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine in a person’s life. Stephanie, like most individuals passionate for learning and thriving in the specialty of aesthetic medicine, is driven to learn more than just technique and wants to establish foundations of knowledge that pertain to the aesthetic analysis and anatomical organization of the face, as well as the rheology and behavior of filler implant materials in tissues. We are thrilled to have her join our fellowship program at the Village Institute of Plastic Surgery, in Fruitland Park, FL.
AFFAM Fellows
Meet Our VIP Spring 2022 Fellow - Haley von Haven, PA-C
Haley has been passionate about aesthetic medicine from the start, having already been in an aesthetic practice over the last two years. She chose to pursue an AFFAM fellowship and certification for additional hands-on training to perfect some of the more advanced treatment applications and to further her goals of contributing to the field through research and education. She has served as vice-president of her PA student body and as an instructor in sterile and surgical technique. She is a prior competitive equestrian athlete specializing in dressage and loves Ocala's vibrant equestrian community. We are thrilled to have her join the AFFAM team at the Village Institute of Plastic Surgery.
Meet Our VIP Fall 2021 Fellow - Angela Ugarte, NP-C
Angela is a talented, caring, and skilled addition to the AFFAM family. She began her medical career as an advanced practitioner in functional medicine for whom the ability to help patients optimize their health and quality of life was the most rewarding and positive aspect of her professional life. While working to help individuals achieve their best selves, she noticed the impact that the subsequent improvement in appearance added to the patient’s self-esteem, mood, and general well-being. This motivated her to seek additional training and licensing as a full specialist esthetician. Once immersed in the world of aesthetics, she chose to combine the two fields of functional medicine and aesthetics and pursue an aesthetic medicine career through AFFAM’s fellowship program. We are thrilled to have Angela as our next fellow and are excited for her future in this field.
Meet Our VIP Spring 2021 Fellow - Alexis Bowhay, PA-C
Alexis is no stranger to trailblazing. After dedicating years to treating ill patients at a busy cardiology practice, she realized that inspiring patients to become healthier and actually prevent cardiac disease was more in line with her calling. With that goal in mind, she set off to open one of several successful fitness studios and inspire thousands of members to become the best, fitter version of themselves. Naturally, in witnessing the transformations that occurred with dramatic weight loss and the positive impact of plastic surgery in complementing such extraordinary journeys, Alexis decided to cap her medical accolades by pursuing a career in aesthetic medicine. Now, she continues to blaze the trail for others by becoming the very first AFFAM fellow, spending the next 6 months under the tutelage of Larry Blevins, PA-C and Danny Soares, MD at the Village Institute of Plastic Surgery.