Our Team

Supervising Medical Director

Dr. Hughes is a credentialed Dermatologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience. She graduated cum laude from Princeton University, where she majored in Classics. She attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine, followed by an internship in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and dermatology residency at Stanford University, where she also was chief resident.

At ZZ Med Spa, Dr. Hughes provides expert oversight in her role as supervising Medical Director.

In her spare time, Dr. Hughes enjoys hiking, kayaking, spending time with her family, friends, and dog, traveling (most recently to Santiago, Chile), and perfecting the art of baking bread.

***Please note that Dr. Hughes is a supervising medical director only. She does not see patients.

Nurse Practitioner

Claire (Ji Soo) Choi is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner renowned for delivering refined, natural-looking results that inspire confidence.

Originally from South Korea, Ji Soo began her nursing career in the medical ICU at Samsung Medical Center, developing a strong foundation in critical care. She later moved to New York City to pursue further education, earning her Master’s degree in Nursing from New York University, seamlessly integrating her intensive care expertise with her passion for aesthetic medicine.

Ji Soo has extensive experience working in a leading cosmetic medspa in New York City, specializing in advanced treatments such as Botox, fillers, laser therapy, Ultherapy, and Thermage. Her focus on injectables is driven by a commitment to subtlety and precision.

With an artistic eye and meticulous attention to detail, Ji Soo enhances each client’s unique features with natural, balanced results. Her approach emphasizes authenticity and refinement, ensuring every treatment feels personalized and elegant.

Beyond her professional practice, Ji Soo enjoys exploring new destinations, discovering local culinary gems, and staying inspired through art and design. She is dedicated to helping clients feel their most radiant—inside and out.

Medical Aesthetician

Whitney is a licensed medical aesthetican and certified laser technician.

With a passion for helping clients with severe and perpetual skin concerns, Whitney Hodnett is the perfect addition to our patient-centric medical spa. Whitney has 10 years of experience in high end dermatology and luxury medical spa settings. Her priorities as an Aesthetician is to provide her clients with a tailored plan of action and educate them on self-care.

Whitney believes that utilizing the latest technologies is just as important as adopting a maintenance regimen for optimizing results. Creating personalized, customized at home skin care regimens to marry with in office treatments are something she is well known for. Her specialties include microneedling, acne scarring, pigmentation, lasers, high-end medical grade facials as well as bridal and special events prep.

Whitney was People Magazine’s pick for an on-set aesthetician for their “Not a Drop of Makeup” shoots for 6 issues. Whitney has performed treatments on celebrities including Susan Sarandon, Priyanka Chopra, Danielle Brooks, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Holmes, Brooke Shields, Vanessa Hudgens, and more.

Medical Esthetician

Erica Chen is an experienced and licensed medical esthetician specializing in advanced, results-oriented skincare within a medical spa setting.

Trained under leading physicians in both medical aesthetics and plastic surgery practices, she holds certifications in IPL, chemical peels, and microneedling, and has assisted with a wide range of non-invasive rejuvenation procedures. Her expertise is complemented by a deep personal understanding of challenging skin, giving her a unique ability to combine clinical precision with compassionate care.

Erica believes exceptional skincare is both an art and a science. Her philosophy is that healthy, radiant skin requires a personalized approach and customized treatment plans tailored to each client’s needs, from rejuvenation and anti-aging to corrective care.

Whether delivering transformative in-clinic treatments or curating tailored homecare regimens, she is dedicated to providing a seamless, elevated experience that inspires confidence and lasting results.

Client Success Manager

Beatriz Derecho is a niche Brand Strategist with deep experience in social media, influencer marketing and storytelling. As a Bay Area native and degrees in both Psychology and Education, Beatriz specializes in building intentional content and community strategies that resonate. 

She finds it incredibly fulfilling and energizing to shape storytelling that’s clear, creative, and community-centered. Outside of work, you’ll find her trying out new matcha recipes, shopping online, or making her own personal content!

Patient Experience Coordinator

Mallery is a customer-focused professional with experience in hospitality, retail, and healthcare support. She is known for creating a welcoming environment, managing store operations with efficiency, and delivering attentive service that ensures every guest has a positive experience. She takes pride in being adaptable, reliable, and team-oriented in fast-paced environments.

Her background also includes volunteer work at Elmhurst Hospital, where she supported patients and staff with communication, scheduling, and outreach in both English and Spanish. These experiences helped her build strong skills in organization, cultural awareness, and client care—qualities she brings into every workplace.

Outside of work, Mallery enjoys discovering new food spots across New York City, spending time with friends and family, and exploring creative hobbies that keep her inspired. She values connection, positivity, and growth—both personally and professionally—which align closely with the culture she contributes to at work.

Patient Experience Coordinator

Crystal Chavez is a healthcare and client service professional with a strong foundation in molecular genetics and hands-on patient care. A graduate of the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Genetics and a David T. Kearns Scholar, she has combined her academic background with practical clinical experience to support both research and patient-focused settings.

Her professional experience spans from working as a Laboratory Technician in Dr. Brisson’s lab—where she supported research projects and maintained high standards of laboratory operations—to serving as a Medical Assistant Intern at Dr. Gupta’s GYN-Care, where she assisted with patient procedures, basic laboratory testing, and practice efficiency. In addition, Crystal is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant with training in phlebotomy, clinical procedures, and patient record management, bringing both technical and compassionate care to every interaction.

Beyond her professional work, Crystal is committed to community engagement. She has volunteered as a biology tutor with Lantern Community Services, where she mentored underrepresented students and tailored study strategies to help them succeed. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in French, Crystal values connection, empathy, and precision—qualities that guide her approach both inside and outside of the workplace.

Nurse Practitioner

Marina Battaglia is a highly skilled Registered Nurse (BSN-RN), Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), and Licensed Medical Esthetician (LME) with over a decade of experience in medical aesthetics. With a unique dual background in nursing and aesthetics, Marina has built a career defined by advanced clinical expertise, artistic precision, and a passion for helping clients achieve natural, transformative results. Her specialties include injectables such as neuromodulators and dermal fillers, where she blends science and artistry to create balanced, rejuvenated outcomes. Marina is also experienced in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, skin boosters, and bio-stimulators, offering regenerative treatments that enhance skin health from within. In addition to injectables, Marina is trained in advanced medical-grade skin treatments including chemical peels, microneedling with PRP and growth factors, and customized treatment plans tailored to individual skin concerns. She has extensive expertise with laser technologies, including hair removal, skin resurfacing, and pigmentation correction—delivering safe, effective, and evidence-based results. Marina’s career spans leading med spas, luxury day spas, and plastic surgery practices, giving her a comprehensive perspective on aesthetic medicine and client care. She has also received advanced training from all major aesthetic manufacturers, ensuring she remains at the forefront of industry innovations, techniques, and safety standards.