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Elmhurst Location Staff - Our Team

MEET OUR ELMHURST TEAM

Melissa Judeh, MSN, MBA, CANS

Jodi Chu

Aesthetic Nurse and Managing Partner

Meet the “M” in JEM - Melissa Judeh, MSN, MBA, CANS - one of JEM Medspa’s Managing Partners and an expert aesthetic nurse injector. Melissa has been a registered nurse for 26 years and brings over 15 years of specialized experience in aesthetic injecting.

Melissa began her career in the PICU while earning two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Healthcare Administration, focusing on Safety & Quality Outcomes. Shortly after, she stepped into an executive role as Director of Patient Safety at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. It was also during this time that she discovered her passion and natural talent for aesthetics.

Before founding JEM, Melissa trained extensively with renowned plastic surgeons and dermatologists, honing her craft through both domestic and international training. She is known for her meticulous technique, artistic eye, and commitment to safety. Melissa is a national trainer for the Allergan Medical Institute and the Galderma Aesthetic Injector Network. She is also co-founder of JEM Education and one of only 37 Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialists in Illinois.

Her teaching style - whether working with other aesthetic providers or guiding her clients - is often described as approachable, clear, and empowering. Through her work at JEM, Melissa blends her clinical expertise, business acumen, and artistic sensibility to create a safe, personalized, and results-driven client experience. Her priority is ensuring every procedure is performed with precision and results in exceptional, reliable outcomes.

When she’s not at JEM, you’ll find Melissa enjoying time with her family, checking out a local coffee shop, cheering from the stands at a baseball field, decorating something, or escaping to a beach.


Jeanine Graham, RN, CANS

 

Jeanie Graham

 

Aesthetic Nurse and Managing Partner

Meet the “J” to our JEM, Jeanine Graham, RN, CANS, managing partner and expert aesthetic nurse injector of over 20 years. Jeanine has been an RN for over 30 years. She began her nursing career as a cardiac nurse working in telemetry and then graduated to the Step-Down ICU. From there, she worked in a liver transplant unit. She loved nursing but decided to take time off to be a stay-at-home mom. After her last ones were in school full time, she found her true calling in aesthetics in 2005, and in 2006 she took a leap and opened Envy Medspa, which was located in Homer Glen, IL. It was there that she began to perfect her injecting skills and mastered the different facets of the medical spa business. In 2009, she decided to forego the business portion of her spa temporarily to focus more on her family of four young boys. She continued to perform aesthetic treatments and also managed other area Medspas from 2009 – 2018. In January 2018, Jeanine began a new chapter in her career by partnering with Melissa Judeh and Dr. David Dreyfuss to create JEM Medspa. Here, she brings forth the culmination of over 20 years of experience and expertise and demonstrates why she has been so successful in the medical aesthetic field. Jeanine is a straight talker, sets realistic expectations, and values the trusting relationships she has created over the years. During her career, she has become one of the most sought-after aesthetic nurses in the Chicagoland area, performing thousands of safe and artistic aesthetic procedures. She enjoys using a full array of state-of-the-art products, including neuromodulators, hyaluronic acid fillers, collagen-producing products, platelet-rich plasma, laser treatments, and PDO threads to achieve the best and most natural-looking results. Jeanine’s passion for the aesthetic field is evident in the constant pursuit of her own education. She frequently attends national programs, conventions, and trainings to ensure she provides the most current aesthetic treatments and so that she is able to maintain excellence in terms of the newest, safest, and most advanced techniques in her training. Jeanine is a highly sought after national trainer for Allergan for over 8 years. She also trains new and advanced injectors at JEM Education, a training center she helped create. She finds training and sharing her knowledge with both novice and advanced injectors one of the most satisfying aspects of her career thus far. With all that she has accomplished in her career, Jeanine feels her biggest accomplishment in life is the upbringing of her four boys with her husband. She loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, opening herself to new experiences, and her admitted addiction - shopping.

 


Katrina Savage

Katrina Savage

Director of Operations

Meet Katrina! Katrina is our operations and marketing manager. Katrina received her bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Saint Xavier University. After graduating, she and her husband owned and operated a successful local trucking company. Then, in 2014, Katrina came across an opportunity to work at another medical spa as a part-time receptionist. For three years, she juggled both jobs, falling more in love with the medical spa industry with each passing month. Her passion for the industry and business acumen led her to a full-time assistant manager position. Through this experience, Katrina easily took on the role of operations and marketing manager at JEM Medspa. Katrina excels in business operations, client satisfaction, and multi-source marketing strategies. She has helped pave the path of JEM to becoming the number one Medspa in our area.

Outside of work, Katrina enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She loves decorating, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She also has a love for learning and is currently exploring graduate programs to enhance her impressive background further.


Michele Knappe, APN-BC,DNP,CEN

 

Michele Knappe

Nurse Practitioner and JEM Health Specialist

Michele Knappe, APN-BC, DNP, CEN is not only a Nurse Practitioner but also a dedicated specialist at the realm of JEM Medspa’s Health & Wellness. With an impressive 25-year tenure as a Registered Nurse, including 20-years as a Nurse Practitioner, she brings a wealth of experience with her. Michele earned her Master of Science in Nursing as well as her Doctor of Nursing degrees from Loyola University in Chicago, beginning her career in the Emergency Room before establishing a consistent presence in Acute Care and Emergency Medicine. Michele transitioned her focus to Wellness and Obesity medicine a few years ago and, in 2022, became the Health & Wellness specialist at JEM. Her expertise is centered around obesity management, IV vitamin therapy, and hormone replacement therapy. Michele is also certified through BioTE Medical, specializing in Bio-Identical hormone replacement therapy for both men and women.

 


Corey Blackwell

Corey Blackwell

Practice Manager

Corey joined our team as a client care coordinator in 2020 and quickly became an integral part of JEM Medspa, eventually rising to her current role as Practice Manager. A native of Massachusetts, she graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in 1998. Before moving to Chicago in 2007, Corey was a top producer for Konica Minolta and the founder of Therapy Beauty Bar. Therapy Beauty Bar is a luxury beauty boutique and spa located in Providence, RI. After a brief hiatus as a stay-at-home mom, she is thrilled to be back at JEM Medspa! Here, she greets customers with her million-watt smile and bubbly personality. Corey is happily married with two children and a French bulldog named Blue.


Nicole Pope, FNP-C, CANS, CPSN

 

Katrina Savage

Aesthetic Nurse Practioner, Clinical Manager, & JEM Education Trainer

Joining our expert injector team in 2020, Nicole is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, a certified plastic surgery nurse, and a certified aesthetic nurse specialist. After receiving her Master of Science in nursing from Loyola University, Nicole worked at a level I trauma center but soon shifted her focus to the field of aesthetic medicine. With over 10+ years of experience in plastic surgery and aesthetics, Nicole constantly seeks out training opportunities to advance her expertise, which will better help her clients. Nicole has also committed her time to educating future aesthetics providers through JEM Education. Nicole has trained with top plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and other accomplished injectors. She is an active member of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses and the American Medical Spa Association. Nicole utilizes her advanced knowledge and expertise to individualize treatment plans for her patients. She strives to bring out a patient’s inner confidence by enhancing their natural beauty.

 


Amanda Fornal

 

Katrina Savage

Aesthetic Manager

Amanda has been a valued member of the JEM team for nearly five years, bringing with her nine years of experience as a Medical Esthetician. Her approach to advanced skin health and aesthetic care is both sophisticated and intentional, blending clinical expertise with an elevated standard of personalized treatment. Amanda is recognized for her commitment to refined results, thoughtful consultation, and an exceptional patient experience. Formally trained at the Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Esthetics, she developed an in-depth understanding of skin function, response, and long-term skin optimization.

Amanda rose quickly to the role of lead esthetician in Charleston, South Carolina, where her results-driven philosophy and meticulous attention to detail earned her a reputation for excellence. Known for her ability to curate highly customized treatment plans, Amanda seamlessly blends clinical expertise with a refined, welcoming presence. Her passion for elevated patient experiences and beautiful, natural results makes her an exceptional addition to the JEM team.

Donna Paver, MSN, FNP-C, CANS

 

Donna Paver

Aesthetic Nurse Practioner and JEM Education Trainer

Donna is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. She attended Chamberlain University School of Nursing to pursue a master's degree in nursing and graduated in 2018 with a specialty in family practice. Donna has 26 years of nursing experience. She worked as a ER nurse for 16 years then began her career in aesthetics in 2014. Like her peers at JEM Med Spa, Donna believes in delivering safe, natural, and effective results with cosmetic injectables and other nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Donna is very passionate about cosmetic medicine and prides herself on staying on top of current trends, advanced cosmetic techniques, and combining treatments for superior, natural results. She takes every opportunity to educate herself on facial anatomy and products that will result in positive and safe outcomes for her clients. Donna is an active member of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Nurses Association. When Donna is not working, she loves the outdoors, traveling, and being surrounded by her family.

 


Lauren Fishback RN, MSN, FNP-C

Lauren

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Lauren is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She began her education at Saint Xavier University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing from their Family Nurse Practitioner Program. She has 14 years of nursing experience ranging from hospital and private practice work to medical aesthetics. Lauren worked as a Certified Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse and a Certified Chemotherapy/Biotherapy provider for ten years at Advocate Children's Hospital.
She began her career in aesthetics 4 years ago working as an aesthetic and vein specialist, later becoming clinical manager of the cosmetic practice. She performs a range of aesthetic treatments such as neurotoxin, dermal filler, and platelet-rich plasma. She also performed sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy, a surgical treatment for varicose veins in the lower extremities.
She is an active member of the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She takes pride in building a trusting relationship with her patients and believes continuing education and staying on top of new trends and practices allows her to give her patients the outcome they expect and deserve. Lauren values safety and a realistic and natural approach to aesthetic treatments. Her favorite part of being a nurse injector is helping patients feel like the best version of themselves by enhancing their natural beauty, without taking away from what makes them unique.


Tanvi Patel, MSN, FNP-BC

Tanvi Patel

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Tanvi graduated with her Master’s degree from Saint Louis University. She then worked as a Registered Nurse in the operating room, before shifting into facial plastics. Working with an established facial plastic surgeon allowed Tanvi to gain an aesthetic eye to give her clients natural and tasteful results. She is well trained in in all aesthetic treatments, and takes pride in ensuring her clients feel comfortable and at ease when visiting JEM MedSpa. She focuses on providing an individualized aesthetic plan to help her clients achieve natural and refreshed results. Tanvi takes pride in continuing education and staying updated on aesthetic advancements and techniques.


Annalisa Jelonek ,MSN, FNP-C

 

Annalisa Jelonek

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Annalisa has been a Registered Nurse for 5 years and her background specialty is Critical Care. She completed the JEM internship in 2023 as well as Botox/Filler novice courses here at JEM! In January 2023 she began the master's program with a focus in Family Nurse Practitioner!  She has been married for 2 years and welcomed her baby girl in September 2023! In her free time, she enjoys reading, yoga, pilates, spending time with her golden retriever, traveling, and chasing her baby girl!

 


Gianna Giovenco, BSN, RN

Giana

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Gianna has earned her Bachelors of Science and Nursing degree from Chamberlin University. Gianna’s journey from nursing to specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery showcases her dedication to expanding her skills and passion for enhancing her patients' natural beauty. Gianna brings over 8 years of nursing experience, including 3 years of hands-on injectable expertise. Her experience in intensive care provided her with a strong foundation in patient care and medical knowledge, which she now applies in her cosmetic practice. Her eagerness to continue evolving with advanced techniques demonstrates her commitment to staying at the forefront of her field.


Noelle Decicco, RN, BSN

Jeanie Graham

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Noelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Olivet Nazarene University. With a passion for helping others feel their best and reach their full potential, Noelle has always been dedicated to n achieving natural results to feel and look their best.

Since 2019, Noelle has worked as a labor and delivery nurse, where she provided compassionate care to women during one of the most meaningful times in their lives. Over time, she transitioned to part-time work in the wellness and aesthetic field, combining her nursing background with her growing interest in aesthetics. Noelle has discovered her true passion lies in building strong connections with her clients and enhancing their well-being in new and creative ways. Noelle married and welcomed a baby boy in September 2025


Layla Riadi, RN

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Layla Riadi, RN, is a nurse injector with a strong foundation in surgical aesthetics and plastic surgery. She graduated from Florida State College of Jacksonville Nursing in 2020. Prior to Aesthetics, she spent years in the operating room working alongside prominent Plastic Surgeons throughout the Chicagoland area as a Circulating Nurse. Her surgical background provides a deep understanding of facial anatomy, precision, and safety — all of which shape her thoughtful, natural approach to aesthetic treatments. After discovering her passion for injectables, she transitioned from the OR to aesthetics and now has over two years of experience helping patients achieve balanced, personalized results that enhance their natural features. She is dedicated to providing anatomy-driven, natural aesthetic treatments that prioritize safety, balance, and authenticity — empowering every patient to feel confident while still looking like themselves. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys time with her husband and fur baby, being with loved ones, cooking, traveling, shopping, and making lattes at home.


Diana Dawson

Diana Dawson

Licensed Aesthetician & Body Sculpting Specialist

Diana has been in the Aesthetics industry for 20+ years. Proficient in laser, skincare & body contouring, Diana is excited to bring her expertise to Elmhurst & the surrounding areas. Her compassion, direct communication, and willingness to go above and beyond contributes to the comfort patients feel when being cared for by Diana


Beth Rack

Beth Rack

Licensed Aesthetican & Body Sculpting Specialist

Beth has been in the beauty industry for 15 + years and a licensed medical aesthetician for the last 6. She is driven by her desire to help clients feel their best. Her background in plastic surgery has helped her developed the skills she needs to work with clients with all different skin types and textures not only for facial concerns but also with body sculpting as well.


Emily Mariscal-Martin

 

Emily Mariscal-Martin

Licensed Aesthetician & Body Sculpting Specialist

Emily Mariscal-Martin, a prominent figure in the aesthetic industry for over 14 years, is an expert aesthetician certified laser and body contouring specialist. She collaborates with our chemist to develop JEM Medspa’s CBD-infused products, Sea BD Oil and Retinol Elixir. 

Emily’s dedication to skincare is evident in her involvement in clinical studies, commitment to cutting-edge modalities, and continuous pursuit of advanced education. She creates comfortable, results-oriented, multi-modality skincare plans with an anti-inflammatory approach for optimal skin health.

Outside of JEM Medspa, Emily enjoys life with her husband and four young children. She values family time, attending church, cooking, running on her Peloton, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.


Alexis Gallego

 

Alexis Gallego

Licensed Aesthetician

Alexis is a licensed aesthetician who joined the JEM team in July 2023 as a client coordinator, quickly becoming known for her warm, welcoming presence. With her friendly smile and genuine care for others, she now brings that same passion and dedication to her role as an aesthetician.

Driven by a deep love for skincare, Alexis is committed to helping clients achieve healthy, glowing skin through customized treatments and result driven care. She takes pride in creating uplifting experiences and building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with every guest she serves.

Outside of the spa, Alexis embraces a healthy, active lifestyle. She enjoys spending time at the gym and cherishing quality moments with her husband and four beautiful children.

Cristina Leguizamon

Christina Leguizamon

Client Care Coordinator

Cristina is a client care coordinator who joined our team in 2023. She has over 11+ years working in a plastic surgery office. She is passionate about this industry and loves learning about all the new advances in technology we have to offer, while providing the best quality customer service.


Gabriella Bucaro

Gabriella Bucaro

Client Care Coordinator

Gabby has been a client care coordinator with JEM since 2022. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in hospitality management Gabriella gained 5 years managerial experience in the private club industry. Gabriella strives to brings professionalism and high quality customer service to our clients. At a young age Gabriella has always had a love for the aesthetic industry and even has an active Illinois esthetician license with special certifications in medical Aesthetics. In her free time she loves to be active in the gym, travel, and spend quality time with her pets, family, and friends.


Kelly Rountree

Kelly Rountree

Client Care Coordinator

Meet Kelly! Kelly is one of our excellent client coordinators who has over 5 years of experience in the customer service industry. At JEM Medspa, Kelly strives to ensure each client feels welcome so they feel comfortable, pampered, and look forward to visiting again. Kelly prides herself on providing professionalism and ensuring each client has an excellent experience, and leaves with a smile at each appointment. Kelly also works in the fitness industry at a women's owned boutique gym in Chicago. When Kelly is not warmly greeting you at JEM Medspa, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her dog, Duke. Kelly is also a home decor lover and spends her extra time DIY-ing projects around her house, working out, or going for a walk.


Gianna Solita

Gianna

Client Care Coordinator

Gianna enjoys meeting and talking with new people, and will ensure your experience at JEM is nothing less than exceptional, from the time you walk in our doors. She strives to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and comfortable, and is given the highest level of customer service. Her interest and passion for aesthetics and skincare started at a young age, which fueled her desire to help people feel beautiful. When Gianna is not warmly greeting you at JEM MedSpa, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 kids. Gianna also enjoys party planning, good food, interior design, and crafting. She loves traveling with her family and cooking.


Morgan Decker

Morgan Decker

Client Care Coordinator

Meet Morgan! Morgan has worked in cosmology/beauty industry for 5 years. She loves to help make clients feel and look their very best. She loves to chat with all who stop in and get to know each and everyone. She makes everyone feel very welcomed. Morgan’s bubbly personality and big smile makes everyone feel at home when coming to Jem MedSpa and feel your very best leaving each appointment! In her free time, she loves to spend time with her nephew, family and friends. She also has a special spot in her heart for animals by dog and cat sitting for family and friends!


Niki Zietara

Client Care Coordinator

Niki began her customer service career at Nordstrom 15 years ago and is just as passionate about providing a strong welcoming presence today. Initially starting out as a Jem client, she was beyond impressed with the standard of care and wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization.

Outside of work, Niki enjoys exploring her passion for charcuterie and cooking, chasing after two toddler boys and dreaming of the day she will be able to travel again!


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*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.