Our staff members are real people with real lives, just like you. The Real Mommies of Marina Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles are our greatest asset. Like many moms, they work hard to balance a career and family. (Personally, we think they’re doing a great job!) Find out how they do it and get to know them a little by reading their profiles.
Name: Catherine Genender
Role at MPS: Director of Marina Outpatient Surgery Center
Children: Peter (34), Matt (33), Jon (30)
What do you love about your job?
I work with a wonderful staff. We work hard but have fun at the same time. I’ve made lifelong friends.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
When my children were young, I worked in a family medical practice, so I never really had to juggle. The children came first.
If you weren’t an RN, what would you be?
A scuba diving instructor. I’d own a dive shop on a tropical island.
What are you into outside of the office?
Scuba diving, hiking, and reading.
3 fun facts…
- I started scuba diving in my mid-50s and became a master diver in just 1 year.
- I was a “pin-up” model for a drag boat calendar when I was in college.
- I have a third-degree brown belt in judo.
What’s your super power?
I am centered and calm, and I have lots of patience. I can roll with the punches.
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
Make me thinner — taller would be great too! Don’t ever let me look my age!
Name: Irma Palieni
Role at MPS: Operating Room Director’s Assistant
Children: Isabella (15)
What do you love about your job?
The staff is great! We have fun here.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
Chocolate!! (Only kidding.) I just do whatever needs to be done.
If you weren’t an OR assistant, what would you be?
An artist.
What are you into outside of the office?
My artwork, batik, purse and jewelry making, sculpting (stone).
Fun facts…
- In my 20s and 30s, I did infomercials and commercials for exercise equipment.
- In my 20s, I spoke 4 languages. I speak and understand 3 now.
What’s your super power?
My powers come from my support from great friends.
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
I’d like to lose 15 pounds overnight and have a 26-inch waist again.
Name: Ann Yacullo
Role at MPS: Medical Aesthetician
Children: Nicole (15)
What do you love about your job?
Helping clients have the skin they want.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
Candle-lit baths.
If you weren’t a medical aesthetician, what would you be?
A pilot.
What are you into outside of the office?
Volleyball, skiing, and hiking.
3 fun facts…
- I am a diving champion.
- I dived with Mario Andretti.
- I have flown an airplane.
What’s your super power?
I can’t tell, it’s a secret.
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
To make my legs look younger.
Name: Jessica Palomares
Role at MPS: Insurance Coordinator
Children: Priscilla (15), Mia (2)
What do you love about your job?
Besides my co-workers, I love that my kids can come to work with me. My oldest was 2 when I started working here so she would always go and hang out with one of my co-workers and color or just be silly. My baby is now following in her big sisters footsteps. She comes with me to work every once in a while and she has so much fun with all her MPSA Aunties and I think all her Aunties enjoy a lil one-on-one time with her too.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
I wish I had a secret. I just do what I need to do in order to provide for my family. It’s never easy but as a parent you do what you need to do.
If you weren’t a Insurance Coordinator, what would you be?
A nurse or a make-up artist, I know 2 completely different fields, but they both interest me. Who know I may end up doing one of them.
What are you into outside of the office?
I don’t really have any hobbies right now. My 2-year-old keeps me very active and my teenager always has homework or some project to do. So my kids and their hobbies are my hobbies right now. We do enjoy our walks around the neighborhood, bike rides and trips to the park or beach. Just being outside is paradise to me.
3 fun facts…
- I like to go dirt bike riding.
- I love drumstick ice cream cones I always have them in my freezer.
- I make killer chocolate chip cookies.
What’s your super power?
Multi-tasking. Being a parent and working full time you have to learn to do a million things at once. Granted I can’t do a million things at a time, but I sure do try. My hunny calls me Robot Lady because I am always doing something even when I’m sitting.
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
My tummy, I wish my body bounced back after baby #2 like it did for baby #1 but I’m not that young anymore.
Name: Stephanie Sacker
Role at MPS: Patient Concierge
Children: Sage Alexandra Sacker, due May 5, 2013
What do you love about your job?
Everything! I love our MPSA family so much. I’m so grateful to love what I do and love everyone I work with. We are a very tight team!
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
I am lucky enough to be able to bring Sage into work with me. Dr. Stevens has built this practice on hard work, love, and family.
If you weren’t a patient concierge, what would you be?
This is totally unrelated, but I have always wanted to have my own flower shop. Creating floral arrangements makes me happy!
What are you into outside of the office?
I love exercising, being outdoors, reading, camping, and spending time traveling with my husband, Zan; dog, Kiwi; and soon, the baby, too.
3 fun facts…
- As a child, I was in 3 spelling bees.
- I have known my husband for 15 years. We met when I was 15 years old.
- I’m a Scorpio, and I enjoy astrology.
What’s your super power?
Not sure if it’s a super power, but I have realized that by exercising, I relax my little bun in the oven!
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
I would love some liposuction on my inner thighs.
Name: Amanda Vrachan
Role at MPS: Front Desk Associate
Children: Rider (8), Milo (4)
What do you love about your job?
I love our patients. I love everyone I work with. I love the industry, and I feel blessed to be a part of this practice.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
Planning, patience, understanding, and hugs and kisses.
What are you into outside of the office?
I love shopping, going to the beach, camping and playing video games with my boys.
3 fun facts…
- I love to watch cartoons.
- I am still a big kid myself.
- I play video games after the kids go to bed.
What’s your super power?
I have magical healing kisses. I am also the “finder” of the house (I can find almost anything my kids lose), and sometimes I am invisible.
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
My boobs!
Name: Lindsey Poag
Role at MPS: Assistant to Director, Patient Advocate
Children: Caleb (8), Abigail (4)
What do you love about your job?
I love the people I work with and the patients. I come to work for a “break.” I also like the flexibility I have if I need to bring the kids to work with me.
What’s your secret for juggling work and family?
Wine …
What are you into outside of the office?
I love being outside, at the beach, spending time with my friends at the pool, or down at the baseball field with the kids. Going to the gym.
3 fun facts…
- I am a single mom.
- I used to be a makeup artist and worked on TV and movie sets.
- I lived in New York before I had my children.
What’s your super power?
Working full time, keeping a clean and organized house, raising my children all on my own! No, I would say it’s telepathy. I always know what my kids and Charlie are thinking (sometimes Dr. Stevens too!).
If our doctors could fix one thing about you, what would it be?
My tummy! Hopefully soon…
Patients For Life®
“I’m just your basic Midwestern housewife,” Andrea says. Then she pauses. “Well, maybe not so basic anymore.”
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“I feel I have been given a gift. I’m a size zero or two. I have my body back, the body I had in my twenties.”
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“I look fantastic in a bathing suit. I love buying new bras, and I look great in blouses. I feel pretty, not that I didn’t before, but I feel like I want to feel.”
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“I would say if you’re seriously unhappy with your body, and it showed – I would say, ‘do it. ‘
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"Do it. If it’s going to make you happy. It will be life changing. I would do it 10 times over. I’m so happy – so pleased."
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“I can’t tell you the difference it made in my life. I used to wake up and take Tylenol 500 first thing in morning because of the back aches.”
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