The North American med spa industry continues its remarkable expansion, with both the United States and Canada experiencing significant growth driven by increasing demand for aesthetic treatments, rapid aesthetic innovation, and evolving client expectations for personalized care. This dynamic market is fostering an environment where a new generation of med spa professionals, alongside established industry veterans, is continually redefining standards for excellence and client satisfaction.
In 2026, the leading Med Spa Professionals in the United States and Canada are distinguished by their profound expertise in advanced non-surgical aesthetics, their unwavering commitment to patient safety, and their ability to adapt to new technologies and techniques. These accomplished professionals, from rising talent to seasoned practitioners, are dedicated to delivering exceptional results and a superior client experience across a diverse landscape of regions.
Canada
Quebec
Redefining Medical Aesthetics: Kara Gomes’ Vision for Inclusive, Natural Beauty at Clinique MIKA
For Kara Gomes, founder of Clinique MIKA, the best aesthetic result is one that doesn’t announce itself. Over the past seven years, Gomes has built Clinique MIKA into a growing Montreal medical aesthetics and wellness brand with two locations, advanced aesthetic technologies, and an education division dedicated to training the next generation of professionals. At the heart of the brand is a philosophy of natural enhancement and inclusivity. Gomes’ commitment to treating diverse skin tones is personal. After experiencing situations in which aesthetic providers were unable to safely treat her own skin tone, she became determined to create an environment where clients with darker and Black skin would have access to advanced technology and knowledgeable care.
That commitment has driven Clinique MIKA’s investment in advanced platforms, including Candela technologies designed to safely address a wide range of concerns across diverse skin types. Gomes’ expertise has also led to her work as a Candela Key Opinion Leader. Her entrepreneurial journey has extended well beyond the treatment room. Gomes previously appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den Canada, securing a deal for her former wellness and fitness concept, Level Up Studio. She was later invited back for a follow-up episode documenting the evolution of her entrepreneurial journey, including the growth of Clinique MIKA.
Today, the business encompasses medical aesthetics, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, injectables, body contouring, wellness, and professional education through Institut MIKA. But for Gomes, the technology and growth remain secondary to the human impact of the work. One of her most meaningful experiences involved supporting a longtime client through a gender transition with treatments including facial laser hair removal, skincare, and subtle aesthetic enhancements. The experience reinforced her belief that aesthetics can be about much more than appearance—it can help people feel seen, supported, and confident expressing who they are. As Clinique MIKA continues to grow, Gomes’ vision remains consistent: advanced treatments, natural results, and an environment where beauty isn’t limited by skin tone, background, or identity.
Alberta
Tamara Hartson: Leading Innovation in Health, Wellness, and Medical Aesthetics
Tamara Hartson, owner of River Stone Health and Wellness, has cultivated a reputation for excellence in Edmonton, Alberta’s medical spa industry. Along with her co-owners Jennifer Wankiewicz and Thalia Hartson, their integrated health and wellness center has expanded its offerings to include a comprehensive suite of medical aesthetics, providing a complete spectrum of care. Learn more about their services at River Stone Health and Wellness.
Tamara’s dedication to quality is evident in her team of fully certified specialists, who excel in areas like hair restoration, microneedling, laser hair removal, injectables, and laser skin treatments. Focusing on both rejuvenation and “prejuvenation” packages, River Stone Health and Wellness attracts a diverse clientele. They proudly offer advanced hair restoration using cutting-edge exosome serums from European brand Promoitalia, a superior alternative to traditional treatments that stimulates growth and nourishes follicles.
Under Tamara’s leadership, the center has become one of Edmonton’s fastest-growing wellness destinations, known for its exceptional client referral rate and community engagement. The clinic’s guiding philosophy is simple: “Wellness, done well.”
River Stone is also proud to be home to Alberta’s first—and currently only—NovoTHOR® Medical Light Bed, further demonstrating its commitment to bringing leading-edge wellness and regenerative technologies to its patients. A glowing Google review highlights the experience: “Choosing River Stone Skin Studio was hands down the best decision I could have made, and truly the best money I’ve ever spent.” This testimonial underscores the clinic’s commitment to comfort, quality, efficacy, and outstanding patient care.
United States
New Hampshire
Joy DeRoche: Elevating Natural Beauty Through Personalized Aesthetic Care
Joy DeRoche, a distinguished expert in the medical spa industry, brings over a decade of experience to her thriving practice, Joyful Beauty NP, located in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Serving clients from both northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, Joy offers personalized aesthetic treatments designed to enhance natural beauty. Learn more about her approach at Joyful Beauty NP.
What truly sets Joy apart is her unique aesthetic philosophy and the distinctive setting of her practice. Having previously served as a trainer at a large corporate medical spa, Joy emphasizes a natural look, skillfully applying injectables like Botox, fillers, Sculptra, PRF injections, and Biofiller to achieve refreshed, balanced results rather than dramatic transformations. Her practice also offers customized skin rejuvenation treatments, including the Glacē facial by Candela, microneedling and chemical peels, alongside wellness services such as IV therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and medical weight-loss programs, allowing her to take a comprehensive approach to beauty and confidence. Her inviting medical spa clinic is thoughtfully situated within a beautifully renovated old train station in Plastow, offering a charming and memorable experience for those seeking aesthetic treatments.
Opening Joyful Beauty NP was a significant personal achievement for Joy, built on her entrepreneurial spirit and a tribute to her late father. The practice, celebrating its one-year anniversary in September, has experienced rapid growth, a testament to her expertise and loyal client base who travel considerable distances for her trusted touch. Specializing in anti-aging solutions for clients primarily aged 30s-60s, Joy continues to build credibility and foster deep connections within her community, including plans to promote local women-owned businesses at her upcoming anniversary event.
Maryland
Heather Zade: Elevating Medical Aesthetics Through Innovation and Artistry
Meet Heather Zade, Founder and CEO of Adora Aesthetics, a premier medical spa based in Clarksville, Maryland. As a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with over 17 years of clinical experience, Heather seamlessly blends advanced medical knowledge with an exceptional artistic eye. Her journey began in hospital healthcare, eventually transitioning to aesthetics where she quickly cultivated a reputation for delivering refined, natural, and beautifully balanced results.
Heather is particularly renowned for her signature 3-injection bolus lip filler technique, an innovative approach that has garnered international attention among both injectors and patients. Her philosophy is clear: great aesthetic work should enhance natural beauty rather than erase individuality. This dedication to precision, softness, and patient-centric outcomes has made her one of the most sought-after injectors and a trusted name in the medical aesthetics field, earning her recognition as one of the Top 100 Injectors in the Nation for four consecutive years.
Beyond her practice, Heather is an international trainer and speaker, having educated thousands of injectors globally through Adora Academy. This elite educational platform teaches both new and experienced practitioners to refine their techniques, build confidence, and achieve exceptional patient results with clinically sound, artistic, and real-world methods. At the core of Heather’s work is a profound passion for helping individuals feel more confident, empowered, and truly aligned with their best selves.
Rachael and Leah: Building Confidence and Community Through Personalized Aesthetic Care
Rachael and Leah stand out as dedicated professionals in the medical spa industry, serving clients across the DC Metro area from their base in Rockville, Maryland. Rachael, the business manager and treatment coordinator, and Leah, the nurse practitioner, lead the homegrown Bellabliss Med Spa, where they focus on enhancing beauty and building confidence. Now in their second year, they have fostered a strong, cash-based business model, marking a significant growth phase as they continue expanding their reach across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland.
What truly differentiates their practice is its deeply personal touch. Eschewing the impersonal feel of larger, franchised medical spas, Rachael and Leah cultivate genuine relationships with their clientele, mostly women aged 30 to 60. Appointments often extend beyond treatments, becoming opportunities to share life stories and connect on a personal level. This unique, salon-like atmosphere creates a welcoming environment where clients feel truly known and valued, fostering exceptional loyalty and repeat business.
Their commitment to their clients extends to delivering transformative results, whether through aesthetic treatments or medical weight loss solutions. The impact of their personalized care is evident in powerful testimonials from clients who describe feeling like they’ve “gotten their life back” and experienced a profound boost in confidence. As Rachael and Leah continue to grow Bellabliss Med Spa and further solidify their reputation in a competitive market, their authentic, client-first approach continues to drive their practice’s success and growing influence in the medical spa landscape.
The Best There Is
The accomplished med spa professionals recognized from the United States and Canada collectively represent the diverse and skilled talent shaping the future of aesthetic care across North America. Their varied backgrounds, from innovative new entrants to highly respected long-standing practitioners, underscore the breadth of expertise within the industry. What unites these standout individuals is a shared dedication to ethical practice, patient well-being, and a commitment to natural-looking results.
