(352) 259-8599 Consultation

Plastic Surgeons and Staff Our Plastic Surgeons & Staff | Awards | Press & Media

wavy line accent

Our Plastic Surgeons and Experienced Medical Support Staff

highly trained plastic surgeons

Village Institute of Plastic Surgery is one of Central Florida’s leading Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Treatment Centers. Our very experienced and caring team of highly trained plastic surgeons, and certified professional associates, licensed practical nurses, recovery nurses and administrative assistants all make every effort to assure that your experience with us is world class. Learn more about our plastic surgeons and professional staff below.

Plastic Surgeons & Cosmetic Treatment Team

Meet The Team

Danny Soares MD

Dr. Danny Soares

Facial Plastic Surgeon
Double Board Certified Otolaryngologist

One of Central Florida most respected Facial Plastic Surgeons; Dr. Danny Soares is a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty and the treatment of the aging face. Dr. Soares received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut in 2008 and subsequently completed a residency in Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at Wayne State University. Dr. Soares then completed a facial cosmetic & reconstructive surgical fellowship, awarded by the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), at Emory University. He has lectured at national meetings, written several book chapters, and published numerous original studies in the fields of cosmetic and therapeutic head & neck surgery. Besides medicine, Dr. Soares enjoys a variety of artistic endeavors, such as drawing, painting, photography, and musical composition.

Dr. Christina Yi

Board-Eligible Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Christina Yi is a board-eligible, fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon, bringing a unique eye for form and function to helping you achieve your cosmetic goals. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Rice University in Houston, TX, Dr. Yi graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, where she received the Charlotte Rose Walker Award for Excellence during her surgery clerkship. She then went on to complete three years of general surgery residency, followed by three years of plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, MI. During her senior year, Dr. Yi had the distinction of being selected by faculty to serve as Chief Resident. After residency, Dr. Yi completed a fellowship in microsurgery at the prestigious University of California San Francisco, specializing in advanced reconstruction.

Additional Reading

She also trained with specialists in the field of gender affirming surgery during her time in San Francisco. After training, Dr. Yi was in private practice specializing in aesthetic surgery and advanced breast reconstruction.

Dr. Yi’s interest in the creative arts is particularly suited to aesthetic surgery as it allows her to blend art and science with the technical precision required for complex reconstruction. She specializes in breast aesthetic surgery (e.g. augmentation, reduction, lift, implant removal), mommy makeovers, body contouring, and liposuction. Dr. Yi’s warm, collaborative approach strives to understand her patient’s wants and needs, while providing them with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about reaching their aesthetic surgery goals. Outside of work, Dr. Yi can be found enjoying family hikes with their two rescue mutts, Tragus and Helix, as well as artistic endeavors such as painting, drawing, and special effects makeup.

Dr. Christina Yi at Mesos Plastic Surgery in The Villages
Dr larry belvins

Mr. Larry Blevins, PA, MHS

Physician Assistant/Master Injector/Trainer

Injectables and Laser Treatments

Mr. Larry Blevins is a highly trained PA, specializing in cosmetic procedures and the art of laser skin rejuvenation. He is the highest volume cosmetic injector in Central Florida. Larry received his training at the University of Nebraska while serving as a medical officer in the U.S. Army . Larry deployed twice to Iraq and worked inside the trauma unit at Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad. He has over 20 years of experience and resides in Fruitland Park with his loving wife Carrie Blevins and his 3 Beautiful daughters.

Additional Reading

  • Founder and CEO Village Institute of Plastic Surgery
  • Retired, (Med Corp) Captain, U.S. Army
  • Named “Top Cosmetic Injector” of 2018 and Certified Trainer by MERZ Aesthetics
  • Practice designated Center of Excellence
  • Village Institute of Plastic Surgery is a MERZ Aesthetic Teaching Facility
  • KOL, (Key Option Leader) | Prollenium®
  • National GAIN Trainer | Galderma
  • Fellow of American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, (ASLMS)
  • Luminary Speaker and Educator | Cutera®

Alexis Bowhay

Physician Assistant | AFFAM Fellowship Trained Injector

Alexis Bowhay is a University of Florida Board Certified Physician Assistant. Her aesthetic career began as the first ever graduate of the American Foundation of Aesthetic Medicine, a rigorous aesthetic fellowship program with extensive training on injectables, lasers and cosmetic surgical procedures. Her passion lies in creating comprehensive treatment plans that provide powerful results while preserving her patient’s natural beauty.

Village institute of plastic surgery office staff
Photo Coming Soon

Angela Ugarte

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner | AFFAM Fellowship Trained Injector

Angela Ugarte began her career in the healthcare field 22 years ago. After years of working as a certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, she decided to shift her focus to the field of aesthetic medicine. In 2021 Angela completed an extensive fellowship with the American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine (AFFAM). She received her certificate of completion and shortly thereafter joined the VIP family. Angela is a talented injector and has worked diligently over the past two years to learn the art of beauty and how to create a natural, youthful look for her clients.

Our Administrative Staff Members

Carrie Blevins, MS, RD

Carrie Blevins MS, RD

Registered Dietitian | Surgical Coordinator

Carrie has been a critical part of Village Institute of Plastic Surgery since we first opened our practice in 2005. Carrie graduated from the University of Alabama with a Masters degree in Human Nutrition. She has extensive clinical training and experience as a result of her time with the Florida Hospital Healthcare system. Carrie oversees personnel, operations management, and marketing. However her passion lies in patient education. Carrie offers nutritional counseling and coordinates hormone and nutrient deficiency testing for patients struggling with nutrition or hormone related health issues. She also works with surgical patients by assuring that they have a thorough understanding of their recommended procedures and educating them on how to best prepare both mentally and nutritionally for a positive surgical experience. Carrie is married to Larry Blevins PA and together they have three beautiful daughters.

Tatiana Kearsing

Office Manager

Tatiana joined our practice in 2012. She has strong communication skills and brings a warm and enthusiastic feel that our patients and staff enjoy, and she is fluent in Spanish. Tatiana is responsible for all aspects of patient records management, appointment scheduling, patient demographics and works diligently to ensure that our patients privacy is protected. Tatiana will ensure that your experience at Villages Institute of Plastic Surgery exceeds your expectations. In her off time, Tatiana enjoys spending time with her husband and two handsome sons Nikoh and Caden, and stays active helping enrich the lives of young children as a board member of her local youth baseball association.

Tatiana Kearsing
Village institute of plastic surgery office staff

Ashley Bryan

Care Coordinator

Ashley joined our practice in 2016 and has been a vital team member and patient care advocate ever since. As a Care Coordinator it is her priority to be a liaison between you and your provider and answer questions that may arise about your recommended procedure. She will also help you determine the best method of payment and offer finance options to ensure your budgetary needs are met. When Ashley is away from her VIP family, she is a very busy mom of 5 beautiful children, which includes the newest addition to her family, twin babies (a boy and a girl).

Memori Clayton

Reception

Memori joined our practice in 2018. With a smile on her face every day, Memori works diligently to make each and every patient feel welcome and cared about. In charge of scheduling, new patient intake paperwork, patient check-in and check out and answering multiple phone lines, she makes it her priority to answer any and all questions you may have about an upcoming appointment or procedure.

Memori Clayton | Receptionist

Medical Staff Members

Jamie Hernandez

Jamie Rimes

Licensed Practical Nurse

Jamie joined us in 2011. She started with VIP as our PA’s Lead Assistant and after receiving her Nursing Degree she switched roles and is now a member of our nursing staff. Jamie has many responsibilities including managing quality assurance measures necessary to maintain our State Licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center. Jamie is also paramount to the patient experience in the operating room. Her goal is to ensure that every patient feels supported, informed, and well cared for throughout their visit. Jamie assists our Surgeons in the operating room and also cares for patients during their postoperative recovery period to ensure every patient is comfortable during their recovery time. On the days she is not in surgery she works as a Surgical Coordinator acting as a liaison between our doctors and our patients ensuring that all of our patients have the ultimate surgical experience and a clear understanding of the procedures recommended.

Donna Riddle

Lead Medical Assistant

Donna originally joined our team as an esthetician and quickly evolved as our PA’s Lead assistant. Her fun loving attitude and aesthetic eye allows her to assist our patients with their cosmetic goals. She can help answer any questions you may have regarding a cosmetic procedure. She is responsible for patient care during Filler, Botox, Spider vein treatments and FX Laser skin resurfacing procedures. Behind the scenes Donna manages our cosmetic stock inventory. On her days off she loves spending time boating and traveling with her family.

Donna Riddle
Jeanne McGuire

Jeanne McGuire

Surgical Technologist

Jeanne McGuire joined our team in 2013 and has been helping patients feel at home ever since. Her training and skills will make you feel at ease before, during and after your surgical or non-surgical procedure. When Jeanne is not at work, she loves spending time with her husband John and their showstopper french bulldogs.

Tyra Montgomery

Certified Surgical Technologist

Tyra joined our practice in 2019 and quickly became a vital member of our surgical team. She also assists our providers outside of the operating room and helps to ensure that patients feel comfortable before, during and after each treatment. With a warm and friendly bedside manner and great attention to detail, Tyra is a great asset to both patients and doctors alike.

Village institute of plastic surgery office staff
Village institute of plastic surgery office staff

Melissa Howard

Certified Surgical Technologist

Melissa Joined our practice in 2018. As a member of our surgical team, Melissa strives to make you feel comfortable before, during and after your surgical procedure. Working alongside our surgeons, Melissa makes it her top priority to supply everything needed for a clean, safe and sterile environment in our operating rooms. She also enjoys assisting with non surgical procedures and always works to make patients feel welcome and comfortable at VIP.

Jacqueline Summers, RN

Registered Nurse

Jacqueline joined our practice in 2022 and has become an integral part of our surgical team. She provides post op care to our surgical patients and ensures patients feel comfortable and well educated on how to take care of themselves on their return home. Jacqueline also provides overnight care for patients who need additional monitoring or who may not have adequate post op care at home.

Village institute of plastic surgery office staff

Our Med Spa Staff Members

Linda Ryan | Aesthetician

Linda Ryan

Aesthetician

Linda Ryan joined the VIP family in 2015 and is an integral team member as an expert in skin health. Offering everything from soothing facials to non surgical skin tightening treatments like SecretRF and Microneedling, Linda has something positive for every skin type and condition. She is passionate about her career and has worked for over 20 years to fully understand the right treatments and ingredients for optimal skin health.

Shanda Strickland

Medical Nail Technician

Shanda joined VIP in 2015 and has been offering top quality medical nail care to our patients ever since. With specialized training in diabetic foot care, she is able to ensure the nail health of her clients while giving them a beautiful result as well.

Shanda Strickland | Medical Nail Technician

Schedule Your Consultation Today

At Village Institute of Plastic Surgery, we offer our patients a wide variety of plastic surgery techniques.

We specialize in facial plastic surgery, offer more laser cosmetic procedures than any other regional provider, and are Central Florida's premier cosmetic injectors. VIP is the best option for plastic surgery and advanced cosmetic procedures in The Villages and throughout Central Florida. Plastic surgery from our experienced and highly-trained plastic surgeons can lead to incredibly positive and life-changing results. Schedule your consultation today.