Meet the experts behind the vision...
Candice Dery, RDMS
Candice is an experienced Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, specializing in Facial Ultrasound. She holds a degree in Advanced Radiological Sciences and Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Founder of Aesthetic Imaging, Candice educates providers on applied facial anatomy and improving patient outcomes in aesthetic medical treatments using ultrasound technology. Her commitment to staying up-to-date with advancements showcases her dedication to providing accurate and high-quality care. Candice's practical experience and educational background make her a valuable asset in Facial Ultrasound and aesthetic medicine.
MARIA HAWKINS, MPAS, PA-C
Maria is a board-certified Physician Associate nationally recognized for her leadership in ultrasound-guided aesthetic medicine. With over 13 years of combined experience in Emergency and Aesthetic medicine, she has become a leading authority in the integration of facial ultrasound for aesthetic safety, precision, and education.
As Co-Director of the Academy of Aesthetic Facial Ultrasound, Maria is dedicated to advancing practitioner competence through evidence-based training and hands-on education. She has developed CME-accredited ultrasound programs and published research focused on complication management and facial anatomy visualization.
Maria’s work reflects her commitment to elevating standards within aesthetic medicine. She aims to empower injectors to deliver safer, more predictable outcomes through a deeper understanding of facial structures and imaging.
RACHEL POLAZZI, CRNA
Rachel is an experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with extensive expertise in anesthesia for ENT and plastic surgery procedures. Among the first anesthesia program graduates to receive training in ultrasound for vascular access and regional anesthesia, she has made ultrasound guidance a cornerstone of her clinical practice for over a decade.
In 2020, Rachel founded The Sandbar Beauty Company, a clinical practice dedicated to advancing safety and precision in aesthetic medicine through the integration of ultrasound technology. At a time when ultrasound was just emerging in the United States for the management of vascular occlusions, Rachel leveraged her anesthesia and imaging background to pioneer its use in aesthetic applications. Her commitment to precision, safety, and innovation has established her as a trusted authority in ultrasound-guided aesthetic procedures.
Building on the success of her practice, she established Ultrasound Aesthetics in 2021, an educational platform designed to train healthcare professionals in foundational to advanced ultrasound techniques for aesthetic applications. Beyond her clinical practice, Rachel is dedicated to advancing the field through education and mentorship. She provides comprehensive training for healthcare professionals in both foundational and advanced ultrasound techniques, helping practitioners enhance patient safety and procedural outcomes.
Rachel began pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Florida State University in the Fall 2024, where her research focuses on expanding the role of ultrasound within aesthetic and advanced practice nursing. Her work continues to bridge clinical excellence, technology, and education to shape the future of safe, evidence-based aesthetic care.
JUSTINE ROBERTS, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, RVT, MBA
Justine is a board-certified Physician Associate whose 16-year career spans reconstructive plastic surgery, phlebology, and aesthetic medicine. In her time treating varicose veins, she fell in love with the art of ultrasound guided procedures.
Justine is the co-owner and lead injector of Smooch Aesthetics in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, where she has the honor of combining aesthetic artistry with her love for patient care. Her boutique practice is founded on the principles of safety, patient education, and relationship medicine.
She is the CEO of Sculpted Concepts, LLC—a concierge Aesthetic Medicine Apprenticeship and Education program. The first of its kind, Sculpted Concepts utilizes Anatomage technology to reinforce didactic principles and theories, allowing for practitioners to fully visualize landmarks, better understand origin and insertion, and more confidently appreciate anatomical principles. She has created CME-accredited presentations for the Association of Plastic Surgery PAs based on the risk of Aesthetic Medicine procedures. She also presented Complications in Aesthetic Medicine at the 2025 American Academy of Physician Associates national meeting. This presentation was created with the goal of educating primary care, urgent care, and emergency medicine PAs to recognize common adverse events associated with aesthetic medicine procedures and ultimately expedite resolution. She also has a special interest in imposter syndrome, inspiring her to mentor young colleagues and publish through the AAPA. Her commitment to the growth and success of her colleagues is what makes her a trusted resource in Aesthetic Medicine education.
She has worked as an educator at Saint Francis University in the Physician Associate and Public Health Programs. She has had the honor of traveling the country to mentor her colleagues as an Aesthetic Clinical Educator and Advisor for several medical device and education companies. She has been an Aesthetic Clinical Educator for The Allergan Medical Institute since 2019, and currently serves as the Aesthetic Medicine Member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Associates.