Carin Gustavson, Medical Spa Director and Cosmetic Laser Technician utilizes her distinct combination of beauty expertise and medical knowledge to non-surgical aesthetic procedures, working with our team of physicians to achieve the best results for our patients with both facial and body rejuvenation laser procedures. As an Aesthetic industry veteran, she has over 20 years in the beauty and skincare industry.
She began her career working for leading cosmetic companies, eventually becoming the Director of Education for several brands developing and teaching education programs attended by thousands of beauty advisors across the country on in-depth seminars about skin, make-up artistry, and customer service. Her love of helping people look and feel their best led her to the medical side of beauty and aesthetics.
Carin now uses her comprehensive knowledge to treat acne, scarring, anti-aging concerns and hair removal for the face and body. She specializes in treating each patient with the very best service, sharing her vast knowledge of the skin, skincare products, laser procedures and make-up.
Carin has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Washington, is EMT licensed and CLT certified.
As VP Patient Relations, Caunie is the liaison to Dr. Passaretti, ensuring patients receive an experience characterized by sensitivity and awareness of their aesthetic goals, coupled with adhering to the highest standards of excellence in patient care. Critical to this process is a personalized consultation educating and informing patients of their best options.
Caunie’s ability to connect with patients in a caring and passionate way is her greatest asset in maintaining the practice’s commitment to superior quality of care. She brings over ten years of committed industry and patient experience on a foundation of a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She continues to be driven by a desire to ensure her open door policy with honesty and the ability to make patients feel comfortable throughout every stage of their surgical journey.
Outside of the practice, Caunie values spending time with her children and her rescue adopted four-legged pets. Her other interests include exploring art and culture in the process of better achieving social and cultural awareness.
Leslie is our Patient Coordinator at The Aesthetic Center since 2007. Having been in the medical field for almost 30 years she has had the pleasure of helping many patients over the course of her career, including working with breast cancer patients as well as those who are in transition to become their true selves and seeing them move gracefully through their journey.
She has lived a worldly early life, moving to Amsterdam at a young age where she lived for some years before moving back to the US to live in New England. She has a great love for Connecticut, New England for it’s quaintness, four seasons and being close to the ocean.
She and her wife, Joanne, have two lovable rescue pups - Peaches and Panda - who keep them laughing and on their toes! Outside the office, Leslie and Joanne love to spend time with their four nephews, or having some quiet time with a good book or enjoying an engaging game of Mahjong!
Holly Thiel is our highly educated Anesthetist Specialist with a Masters of Science in this field from Columbia University. After obtaining her Master’s degree, Holly started her own anesthesia practice in New York City and that’s when her career in the medical industry began. In fact, her career path was shaped after speaking with a plastic surgeon at a friend’s wedding who enlightened her on the field of anesthesia. 17 years later Holly still thoroughly enjoys what she does and finds being an Anesthesia professional is a most rewarding career. She loves everything about her role - the responsibility and care for the patient, the constant learning challenges. She considers becoming a CRNA was one of the best decisions in her life.
Holly considers the North East and particularly Connecticut the perfect place to live. Being just a short drive from NYC while at the same time having the opportunity to visit the slopes of New England, it’s the best of both worlds. Outside the office Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and two children as well as their large goldendoodle, Simba.
Alicia O’Shaughnessy is a certified Surgical Assistant at The Aesthetics Center. She was a valedictorian graduate of California Paramedical and Technical College and has worked in the plastic surgery industry for the last 30 years (more than 25 of those in an operating room). Alica is a highly valued member of our team. Over her tenure she has seen many new trends in the aesthetics field and has had direct, hands-on training by some of the very best in the industry.
Alicia enjoys being able to make surgery a comfortable experience for her patients and making them feel at ease before, during and after their procedure. What she loves most about her job is being able to use her skills to make things easier for her coworkers and patients on a daily basis. She loves being able to help others feel better about themselves.
Alicia was born in Redondo Beach California and lived in New Mexico for 15 years before moving back to Southern California. She and her husband of 20 years now reside on the East Coast. When not working, Alicia enjoys traveling to beautiful golf destinations with her husband and they’re currently working on hitting all of the top 100 courses in the country! Alicia also enjoys cooking and baking and bringing these delectable baked goods to her co-workers who equally enjoy her baking!
Tracy is our friendly and efficient Front Desk Manager. She has always loved the fields of fashion and aesthetics and this is what drew her to work at The Aesthetics Center. Tracy is a Pratt Institute trained fashion designer with 10 years of experience working with numerous designers on 7th Avenue. She was born and raised in New Canaan, lived in NYC for 10 years then moved to Princeton where she and her husband raised their son and daughter.
Tracy loves working at The Aesthetic Center and assisting patients on a daily basis as well as working with amazing surgeons and wonderful coworkers who make coming to work every day a joy.
Outside of work Tracy enjoys gardening, skiing, cooking, sewing and spending time with her husband, son, and daughter.
Cassandra Esposito is our highly trained Nurse Practitioner at The Aesthetic Center, born and raised in Stamford, CT. She graduated from nursing school in 2008, went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree graduating Magna Cum Laude at the Anna Maria College in 2017, and then achieved her Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2019 at the University of Southern California. Cassandra also serves on the Connecticut Nurses Association Board of Directors as the Chair of the Leadership Committee.
Most of her nursing career was spent as a bedside RN in a hospital setting, predominantly in the ER, and as an APRN in the Urgent Care setting. Cassandra loves helping her patients meet their aesthetic goals with a conservative /natural approach to treatment.
In her free time, Cassandra enjoys live music, sporting events and creating mixed media art. She and her husband, Mark, are the proud owners of their rescue dog with a hearing disability and Cassandra got around this communication barrier by teaching her pup sign language!
Savannah Kayal is a dedicated Surgical Registered Nurse at The Aesthetic Center, where she combines her clinical expertise with a deep commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Born and raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, Savannah continues to call her hometown home, where she enjoys the beauty of seasonal changes throughout the year.
Savannah’s decision to pursue nursing was deeply personal. After witnessing a loved one navigate a serious illness, she was inspired by the skill, compassion, and dedication of the nurses who made such a profound difference. That experience continues to guide her practice today, motivating her to support patients not just medically, but emotionally—easing anxieties, offering reassurance, and helping families through important moments.
With over 6 years of experience in nursing, Savannah brings a diverse clinical background to her role in aesthetics. Her career began in nephrology critical care, followed by positions in orthopedics, cardiology, and gastroenterology. In 2025, she transitioned into the field of aesthetics, where she has found her passion for guiding patients through their surgical journeys. She especially enjoys circulating in the OR during rhinoplasty and facelift procedures, where precision, teamwork, and patient-centered care are key.
What sets Savannah apart is her approach to patient care. She prioritizes listening—not just to symptoms, but to each patient’s unique concerns, fears, and goals. Her philosophy centers on treating every patient as a whole person, creating an environment of trust and empathy.
Savannah earned her Associate Degree in Nursing through the accelerated program at CT State Community College, and later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Capella University.
Outside of work, Savannah is passionate about fitness and wellness. She loves taking Pilates classes—especially Solidcore—and is always exploring new workouts. An avid traveler, she enjoys discovering new cultures and places, as well as spending quiet time browsing bookstores for her next great read. At home, she shares her life with Mack, her sweet and food-loving rescue French Bulldog.
Patty O’Leary is a skilled Surgical Registered Nurse at The Aesthetic Center, where she provides compassionate and comprehensive care to patients throughout their surgical journeys. Born and raised in Westchester, New York, she now lives in Stamford, Connecticut, where she enjoys the coastal lifestyle, being close to family, and the walkable community.
From an early age, Patty was drawn to helping others, and nursing became the perfect avenue to offer comfort, care, and support during times when patients need it most. Today, she finds inspiration in the transformative nature of plastic surgery—whether assisting patients undergoing reconstructive procedures that restore dignity and function or supporting those choosing aesthetic treatments to feel more confident and empowered.
Patty’s favorite part of her role is the variety it brings. Plastic surgery is a multifaceted specialty, and she loves circulating in the operating room, assisting with recovery, and connecting with patients during in-office follow-ups. She thrives in a field where there is always something new to learn and values the opportunity to care for patients with diverse needs and goals.
She began her career as a bedside nurse on a cardiology floor and later worked in a heart failure clinic before transitioning into aesthetics. With over seven years of nursing experience, Patty brings both critical care expertise and a compassionate, patient-first approach to her current role. She is a proud graduate of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2018—graduating alongside her now-colleague, Shannon, also an RN at The Aesthetic Center.
Outside of work, Patty enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, and staying active. Her greatest joy comes from being with family and friends, and she especially treasures her role as an aunt.
Lori Dastoli joined The Aesthetics Center in 2013 as Front Desk Coordinator. She is a 1983 graduate of JM Wright Tech and has been in her field of expertise for 10 years. Lori enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family, and going to the beach. She is married to her husband, Tony, and they have two children, Nicole and Anthony. Lori was born and raised in Stamford and loves the quiet wooded neighborhood she lives in. She is motivated and inspired by the patient interaction at The Aesthetics Center, seeing patients from consult to follow-up with positive results. Lori strives to make every patient/client feel comfortable and satisfied with their experience.
Shannon LaPerche is a Registered Nurse at The Aesthetics Center. She specializes in pre and postoperative care, as well as recovery. Shannon graduated from Mount Saint Mary College in 2018 and has been working in plastics and reconstructive surgery for 4 years. With a passion for helping patients feel their best after overcoming breast cancer, Shannon went on to receive advanced training in cancer reconstructive surgery. New York is where she is originally from but currently resides in Westchester County. In her free time, Shannon loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She is an animal lover and has two dogs, Bentley and Sadie. Shannon's goal is to provide every patient with compassionate care and personalized attention.
If you are considering plastic surgery in Darien, CT, or anywhere around Fairfield County, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation with top plastic surgeon Dr. Passaretti.
722 Post Rd, Ste 201, Darien, CT 06820
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
*Disclaimer: results are not guaranteed, may not be permanent, and can vary per individual. Some images are of models, not actual patients.
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