About CaTara Medical Spa
CaTara is a full-service Chicago medical spa with 2 locations: 67 E. Oak St. in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood and 308 S. Main St. in the historic “Old Town” district of Algonquin.
CaTara offers medical grade products and services and follows strict guidelines of expertise and medical care. We take a patient centered approach to our practice, which is what we call “The CaTara Experience”.
We are passionate about helping you look and feel your best and we do this by taking time to listen to you, understand your needs and expectations and then, together, create your specific aesthetic plan. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it is our primary area of focus. We provide aesthetic services and procedures to help with skin issues such as; aging, skin texture, acne, dryness, sun damage, rosacea and scaring to name a few.
No sure what you want or need? No problem! We offer complimentary consultations to help guide you.
Whether you want to enjoy a day of pampering or have a specific skin concern, the providers at CaTara Medical Spa, with over 100 years combined experience, can help you achieve the results you are looking for.
CaTara Medical Group, LLC. is owned by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Meet Our Team
Nina graduated from Saint Xavier University with her Masters Degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Rush University. She has over 10 years of diverse experience in family practice and emergency medicine and started practicing as an aesthetic injector in 2017.
It was the Emergency Room where Nina gained her deep medical knowledge and advanced procedural skills but it is aesthetics that won her heart. She has experience with neurotoxins, dermal fillers, Kybella, and Natural Growth Factor Injections therapy for face and under eye. Nina has a true passion in making her patients feel good about themselves. She takes the time with her patients, sets realistic goals and expectations, and creates an overall wonderful experience.
Vanessa became an LPN in 2010 and received her RN from Morton College in 2012. Her primary focus was working in the hospital setting where she acquired a diverse medical background. Vanessa became a certified nurse injector in 2017.
It was because of her skill set that Vanessa was asked to assist another nurse injector already working in aesthetics. It was here that Vanessa realized the potential aesthetic medicine has on patients. She saw first-hand the reaction her patients had when she corrected a problem area and they were able to see themselves more confidently.
Vanessa is experienced and certified at injecting neurotoxins, dermal fillers, Kybella, Natural Growth Factor Injections, Natural Growth Factor Injections and PDO Threads. She especially loves doing lip enhancement and giving them their full potential. Vanessa has a kind bedside manner and takes time to consult with her clients to make sure she understands their needs and expectations.
Loren has always worked in some form of healthcare, from working the front desk in the Hematology and Oncology outpatient clinic at the University of Chicago Medical Center to doing research in the Department of Medicine at Northwestern University performing statistical analyses for their Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine division. She loves to not only make others healthier but feel great along the way. Needing to learn the intricacies of how to manage her own skin care as well as loving to do it led her to this career transition. After all, the skin is our largest organ and is always exposed to the environment both outside and inside the body. So there is a lot to learn concerning how to care for it.
Upon the end of her contract as an analyst, Loren decided to attend G Skin & Beauty Institute to study esthetics so that she can help others achieve their healthiest skin. She is results oriented yet still offers that lavish spa treatment to give her clients enjoyment and increased confidence. She is an advocate for staying up to date with the latest ingredients, techniques and technologies and has continued her education in services such as oxygen facials, dermaplaning, lash/brow tinting and teeth whitening. Working at CaTara Med Spa helps Loren to cultivate both her love of skin care and delight in helping others.
Karlene has been an aesthetician for nearly 20 years. It was her desire to help people, and her love of skincare that led her to pursue a career in aesthetics. Graduating from Pivot Point International in Chicago in 2001, she has developed a reputation for results driven care specializing in adult acne and pigmentation concerns.
Karlene is an avid learner and has extensive knowledge of ingredients. She continues to expand her knowledge of products and treatments to stay on the cutting edge of technology and care.
Her clients love how she takes time to listen and develop customized treatment plans to ensure they get the results they are looking for.
Juanita began her career in 2005 as a makeup artist. She learned from her clients by listening to their stories about their skin issues. It was this experience that helped her understand just how important the need for quality skincare was. She received her education at The Aveda Institute in Chicago in 2007 where she specialized in custom skin treatments, eyebrow shaping and waxing for all areas of the body. In 2015, she moved to providing more specialized, medical grade treatments to help provide patients with long term results. She took courses in medical esthetics at The New Age Spa Institute and has been working with the most up-to-date medical-grade skin solutions since 2017.
Juanita loves learning new technology to further enhance her skincare knowledge to provide the best experience in and out of the treatment room. “I take great joy in helping others with their skin in all areas. I found my purpose and I’m here to help you look and feel your best!”
Lynette has been an Illinois state-certified Phlebotomist since 2008. She worked at St. Alexius Hospital for nine years as a phlebotomist specializing in pediatric care before transitioning to teaching Phlebotomy at a local college.
Lynette worked as a Firefighter and EMT for 20 years prior to her Phlebotomy career which is where she realized her passion for health care and taking care of the patients she treats.
At CaTara Medical Spa Lynette performs blood draws to enable us to provide Natural Growth Factor Injections related treatments.
Jeanne has been in the retail industry for over 30 years and is passionate about providing clients with a great experience. She has deep roots in Algonquin and represented the town in 1981 as Miss Algonquin. This experience, along with her professional achievements allowed Jeanne to fulfill her true passion - serving others. It was after a significant health issue that Jeanne realized the importance of self-care. She now makes it her mission to remind people that what you put on your body is metabolized by your body and that self-care is a vital and healthy part of a balanced life.
Jeanne, along with her team, have an outstanding customer service mindset. They are passionate about providing clients with innovative treatments and a holistic approach to skincare.
Jeanne is also a certified Phlebotomist.
Cathy started her career 30 years ago as a professional portrait photographer. Here she studied her client's faces and natural movements. In 2013 she felt the desire to change direction and opened CaTara Med Spa. Cathy acted on her desire to help her clients look and feel their best. She opened her second location in Chicago's Gold Coast in 2018.
Cathy has dedicated her life to personal service and believes that if you make a client completely satisfied with their experience, you will have a relationship with them forever. She has built her business on personal attention and has defined "The CaTara Experience" as a way of providing the highest level of care to all patients.
Cathy is also a certified Phlebotomist.
Chicago Location
