Guests

Alisha Rose Merlo has dedicated over 20 years of her professional life to the medical aesthetic space. Her true passions lie in helping practices deliver next-level patient experiences, optimizing operational efficiencies, and boosting treatment and product sales. Working for leading organizations such as Obagi Medical Products and Medicis Aesthetics, where she spent 10 years of her career, she has been an award-winning sales professional and well-respected practice consultant. Alisha is often asked to share her expertise on podium at medical conferences and has been a contributing author in publications such as MedEsthetics Magazine, Modern Aesthetics, The Dermatologist, Executive Decisions in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery Practice, and Ask Us Beauty Magazine. She has been featured in publications such as SDVoyager and Canvas Rebel. Alisha is currently the Executive Director of Professional Relations for Colorescience® where she contributes to sales, marketing, training, business d…

Amber, our talented medical photographer, is the friendly face behind your before-and-after photos and keeps track of your progress if you’re on our weight loss program. Beyond the camera, Amber is also part of our marketing team, bringing her fun and energetic personality to our social media content.

Amy helps keep our practice running smoothly day-to-day so we can make sure each and every patient gets our full attention. In addition to taking calls throughout the day, helping our team get what they need, and keeping our records safe and secure, Amy is also our resident techie—and we don’t know what we’d do without her help keeping all of our electronics in working order!

Dr. Anna Steve is a Cosmetic Breast Specialist at Neinstein Plastic Surgery in NYC. She specializes in the full spectrum of breast surgery from breast implants, breast revisions, and tuberous breast reconstruction to breast reconstruction revision surgery.

With two decades at LJCSC, Brittney has grown alongside the practice, shaping what the 5-star patient experience looks and feels like. As Patient Experience Manager, she works behind the scenes to keep every detail running smoothly—whether that means supporting surgeons and nurses, coordinating logistics, or making sure patients feel cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

After 20 years, it’s safe to say that Carmen provides incredible care. As a key member of LJC’s dream team, Carmen assists with consultations, performs pre-operative care, and helps with post-op visits—in addition to advocating on behalf of patients.

With over 10 years of experience as a medical assistant, Cynthia wears many hats at LJCSC. Whether she’s at the front desk greeting patients, answering phone calls, helping with scheduling, or in the back assisting with rooming and follow-up procedures, she’s always ready to jump in wherever she’s needed.

Practicing in a field that focuses on beauty and confidence for over 20 years, Dr. Diana Breister has become fluent in understanding the general self-image of women. Though she is skilled at several types of procedures, she is most known for her excellence in doing face and neck lifts, eyelid surgery, feminine rejuvenation, breast augmentation, breast lift, and tummy tucks. With a specialization in skin loss removal, she’s passionate about helping people who have lost weight become less self-conscious about the loose skin left over.

Elise is the Digital Marketing Manager at Frank Motors in San Diego. She also sits on the advisory board of Humble Design, an organization that serves individuals, families and veterans emerging from homelessness in San Diego. Elise was born and raised in San Diego. Frank Motors is her family's business that her grandfather, Frank, started in 1965. But prior to that, her family was in the bakery business and her great-grandfather started that business in 1912. Her family has been in business in San Diego for over a hundred years. Her family believes that when you take care of your customers, take care of your employees and take care of your community and you will be successful. Frank Motors is very proud to serve and support Humble Design San Diego.

Anesthesiologist Dr. Jerry Haas has been at LJCSC helping patients feel comfortable and well cared for before, during, and after surgery for over 25 years. When Dr. Haas isn’t by patients’ side during surgery, he’s there throughout their weight loss journey to help them safely reach their goals as the director of our medical weight loss program, Signature Skinny Shot.

With more than eight years of experience behind the camera, Gretchell brings both artistry and strategy to her role as LJCSC’s Videographer & Digital Content Specialist. From producing patient stories to creating scroll-stopping visuals for our surgeons, she combines her love of photography and videography with a knack for digital content planning.

You can find Hannah's bubbly, positive copywriting in LJCSC's podcast descriptions, social media captions, website pages, emails and more. She delivers the friendly voice of LJCSC and helps produce our podcast.

Having dedicated 17 years of his life to achieve the best medical training, Dr. Salazar’s philosophy is centered around providing beautiful results safely and ensuring each and every patient feels well cared for from their first appointment to their last. In addition to being an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Salazar is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), a prestigious organization that is highly selective with its membership. Only plastic surgeons who demonstrate a high level of skill, experience, and expertise in aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine are inducted into ASAPS. Dr. Salazar is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, an active member American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Board of Plastic Surgery Maintenance of Certification Program, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society and the American Medical Association.

Janelle began her time at LJCSC as a Marketing Coordinator before transitioning into Administrative Lead and then a Patient Care Coordinator. Now, Janelle’s role is to manage the Centre’s daily operations and ensure the proper processes are in place to provide outstanding patient care.

As a Patient Care Coordinator, Jessica is the friendly voice you’ll hear first when you reach out to LJCSC. She’ll listen to your goals, answer your questions, and make sure you’re feeling great about your consultation. And she’ll be there every step of the way, guiding you through the process. Jessica joined LJCSC in 2014 when Dr. Smoot came on board, having worked with him since 2000. She took a break to focus on her family business but is thrilled to be back.

Jillian brings over a decade of experience in cosmetic surgery to her role, combining professionalism with genuine care. Her blend of creativity, organization, and compassion makes every patient feel seen, supported, and confident throughout their aesthetic journey.

Jocelyn is a dedicated nurse with over 16 years of experience, specializing in outpatient surgery where fast-paced care meets meaningful patient connections. Her love for people, sports, and laughter shines through in every patient interaction, making everyone feel cared for and at ease.

Dr. Johan Brahme is a board certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for his kind bedside manner, commitment to safety, and beautiful results. Dr. Brahme’s philosophy in patient care is essentially the application of the Golden Rule… to care for every single patient the way he would want his own family to be treated. His team makes you the center of your plastic surgery experience. It is about your body, your life, your desires, and your decisions.

During his 30 years as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Diego, John D. Smoot, MD, FACS has earned a reputation for providing excellent care and beautiful cosmetic surgery results. Dr. Smoot is the Medical Director of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa. Dr. Smoot has an extraordinary depth of skill and experience in plastic surgery that make him highly sought after for breast, body, and facial surgery alike. He is well-known in La Jolla for his advanced scar-reducing techniques with breast lift surgery. In addition to breast augmentation, facial rejuvenation and body contouring surgery comprise a substantial portion of his practice. Dr. Smoot has been board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1990 and has served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he remains on staff. He is also an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the Cali…

Juliana is often the first friendly face you’ll see after meeting with a coordinator. As a medical assistant, she loves being part of your journey and seeing your transformation from consult to post-op care.

As a patient care coordinator at LJCSC, Karina is here to guide you and answer any questions you have along the way. Her goals are to make sure you know what to expect and help you feel fully supported throughout your plastic surgery experience. Before joining the LJCSC family, Karina managed a medical spa for 7 years. Her knowledge of medical aesthetics, combined with her natural ability to connect with her patients, make her a perfect fit. She is also fluent in Spanish and provides superb and seamless care for our Spanish and English speaking patients.