MEET THE TEAM
VALERIE MONISMITH, RN
Registered Nurse, Founder & Owner
Valerie Monismith is a skilled and charismatic Registered Nurse with over 15 years of experience in the medical aesthetics field. Valerie has built her career around providing unique solutions to clients for a range of issues.
Before founding Ashtoria Aesthetics & Wellness in 2015, Valerie excelled as a dedicated Labor & Delivery and NICU nurse for many years. Valerie made the transition into medical aesthetics after being presented with an opportunity to work as a plastic surgeon’s lead nurse. This new challenge opened her eyes to the vast spectrum of aesthetic procedures, especially those that improve a patient’s quality of life.
Over the years Valerie continued to work with doctors and other aesthetic professionals across the country and abroad, constantly building her expertise in both laser and injectable therapies.
valerie is skilled in safe skin/tissue rejuvenation treatments using the highly acclaimed Fotona Laser system, and has additional expertise in advanced methods for injecting Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, Revanesse Versa, Radiesse, Bellafill, Sculptra, Belotero, Silikon 1000, and Perlane. She is only nurse in the Memphis area with 15+ years of injecting Bellafill (previously called Artefill) using micro-cannulas for superior results with minimal bruising, and has served as a National Injection Trainer for Suneva Medical (the makers of Bellafill). Click here to schedule your private consult with Valerie.
Motivated to expand her knowledge in healthy living, Valerie became a Certified Food For Life Instructor through the award-winning Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). The Food for Life program was designed by physicians, nurses, and registered dietitians to train and certify health advocates in promoting healthy eating and disease management. She is knowledgeable on how certain foods and nutrients work to promote health, along with cooking demonstrations of simple and nutritious recipes that can be recreated easily at home. If you are interested in learning more about Food for Life classes for yourself or a group, you may email Valerie at info@ashtoria.com.
VANESSA M. GIVENS, MD
Medical Director
Vanessa M. Givens is an experienced and decorated doctor and OBGYN who ensures that the Ashtoria facility provides the highest level of care. Dr. Givens serves as Ashtoria’s Medical Director to provide top-level assurance of quality and control, however, she does not perform treatments within the Ashtoria facility.
Dr. Vanessa M. Givens graduated Magna Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then moved to Memphis where she received her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.
She subsequently completed her internships and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in the College of Medicine. Dr. Givens then received fellowship training in Advanced Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2001 to 2002.
Dr. Givens has numerous journal publications as well as award-winning research papers. She has been listed every year since 2005 in “Best Doctors in America” and she has been named one of “America’s Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists” by Consumers’ Research Council of America. She is currently a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP).
AMANDA SANDERS, NP
Amanda Sanders is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Hormone Replacement Therapy since 2017. She also specializes in IV Hydration Therapies, Wellness Injections, and Peptide Therapy.
Prior to developing her Hormone Replacement Therapy skills, Amanda worked in Labor and Delivery for over ten years and in Pain Management for six years. Amanda works closely with her clients to identify imbalances and develop effective protocols for optimal hormone and nutrient levels. She believes that each client is unique and that personalized holistic care is the key to achieving the best results.
ALLISON, LME
Licensed Medical Esthetician
Allison is an experienced esthetician with a passion for helping others attain their skincare goals. As a teenager, Allison battled acne which led to scarring. This inspired her to become an esthetician and help others like herself. After 7 years of helping her clients using treatments, facials, and medical-grade skincare, Allison began training on the Fotona laser systems at Ashtoria. She is passionate about helping clients achieve their goas via multiple modalities and custom treatment plans.
Rory McMackin
Licensed Esthetician
Rory has been in the medical setting since 2019 and has been licensed and working in the Medical Spa setting since 2021. As someone who has struggled with skin issues herself, and the lack of confidence it causes, she believes nothing is more satisfying than seeing patients embrace their natural beauty and leave with a smile on their face. Rory strives to educate her clients and help them accomplish all of their skincare goals. She believes when it comes to skincare, the sky is the limit!. Rory strives to constantly continue her education and be a well-rounded provider, exceeding client expectations.
Karen Aiken, RN, BSN
Karen is a registered nurse with 14 years of prior clinical experience in emergency medicine. Her professional background has given her the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and fuels her passion for patient advocacy. Her love of aesthetics and medicine drive her to practice safely using a holistic individualized approach to improving one's sense of self, quality of life, and overall wellbeing.
Ashley Peel, RN, BSN
Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. She went on to complete her Nursing Residency in Critical Care at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, TN. She has been actively working as a Registered Nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit for several years, all while fine-tuning her skills in the medical aesthetics industry. She has expanded her practice in aesthetics to so she can help others feel and look their best.
Ashley loves being able to meet people where they are, talk through concerns, and develop a plan to help them feel more confident in their own skin. Ashley is passionate about patient education and providing the information needed to make the best decisions in their treatment plan.
Karen Aiken, RN, BSN
Karen is a registered nurse with 14 years of prior clinical experience in emergency medicine. Her professional background has given her the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and fuels her passion for patient advocacy. Her love of aesthetics and medicine drive her to practice safely using a holistic individualized approach to improving one's sense of self, quality of life, and overall wellbeing.