A Palm Springs native and graduate of California State University Fullerton, Kelly’s passion for learning and the wellbeing of others developed when she acquired her first Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development. While she considered pursuing a career as a youth social worker in a hospital setting, a job opportunity at Contour Dermatology ultimately led her to change course.

Once she joined the practice, Kelly’s interest in the field of dermatology grew with each passing day. An avowed skin care devotee after struggling with acne as a teen, the idea of training and moving into an esthetician’s role was a natural progression. Kelly graduated from the International School of Beauty and became a licensed aesthetician in 2018.

Even as she confidently and conscientiously fulfilled her esthetician’s duties, the idea of getting a nursing degree was never far from her mind. “Training to be an esthetician was perfect because it let me sample the reality of what it’s like to be an adult learner.” Kelly started her prerequisites for nursing school in 2019 and considers the time she spent working as an esthetician to have been a perfect steppingstone to where she is now.

As the only aesthetic dermatology registered nurse currently practicing at Contour Dermatology, Kelly is primarily responsible for laser treatments. Her duties will eventually expand to include injectables and she is more than prepared. In fact, Kelly has already set her sights on her next goal. “I hope to start working on my master’s degree next year in order to become a nurse practitioner,” she says.

When she isn’t concentrating on her career trajectory, Kelly enjoys working out in her home gym and spending time with her family, friends and two rescue pups Sadie and Hank.