Meet Our Team

Emily Gaines, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in hormone optimization, metabolic health, medical weight management, and personalized wellness. With experience in wellness medicine, urgent care, and procedural care, she takes an individualized approach to helping patients feel and function at their best.

Her expertise includes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), testosterone replacement, medically supervised weight management, peptide therapy, IV nutrient therapy, preventive wellness, laboratory evaluation, and BioTE hormone pellet therapy.

Emily is passionate about helping women and men improve energy, metabolism, body composition, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. She believes effective care begins with listening, understanding each patient's health, and creating personalized treatment plans aligned with their goals.
She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from South College in Atlanta and her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry/Pre-Medical Studies from Huntingdon College.

Known for her warm communication style, attention to detail, and commitment to patient education, Emily combines evidence-based medicine with a relationship-centered approach to support lasting vitality and long-term wellness.

Leading Thrive is Dr. Vincent Zubowicz, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience in aesthetics. With an extensive background in both surgical expertise and practice management, he previously served as Medical Director of the Center for Plastic Surgery for 25 years. He has also held key roles as Director of the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Assistant Director of the Emory Aesthetic Center.

Dr. Zubowicz remains deeply engaged in academic medicine, having authored chapters in esteemed medical textbooks and co-written research papers in surgical journals. His dedication to education extends to his academic position at Emory University’s Department of Surgery, where he was honored as Professor of the Year by the Emory Plastic Surgery residency.

Tracy Nguyen, a proud Kennesaw State University communications graduate, never imagined her career path would lead her into the world of aesthetics. What began as an unexpected introduction to the industry quickly grew into a genuine passion, one that has continued to inspire her ever since.

As Thrive Medical Spa’s Director, Tracy oversees the day-to-day operations of the practice while helping ensure every patient receives an exceptional experience from the moment they walk through the door. She is inspired by Thrive’s blend of advanced, innovative treatments and its warm, welcoming environment, where patients are cared for with both expertise and compassion.

Tracy enjoys building meaningful connections with patients and creating an atmosphere where they feel confident, informed, and supported throughout their aesthetic journey. Her passion for the industry and dedication to the Thrive mission help drive the practice’s continued growth and success.

Casey, an Atlanta native, holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a Nursing degree from Mercer University. She began her career in aesthetic medicine at a high-volume plastic surgery practice, where she served as First Assist in weekly surgical cases. This experience in the operating room provided her with a strong foundation in facial anatomy.

Casey’s approach to aesthetics is comprehensive, focusing on rejuvenating patients from the "ground up" by first enhancing skin quality with medical-grade skincare and skin-tightening devices, and then using injectables as the final touch. She's not afraid to tell patients "no" if a treatment isn't going to serve them, as she is a medical provider- not a salesperson. She is dedicated to her craft, leaving her patients feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and naturally enhanced. Her favorite treatment to perform is lip filler! Outside of Thrive, Casey enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring new restaurants, practicing yoga, and caring for her four-legged companions at home.

Sarah is a dedicated Nurse Injector with a solid foundation gained from three years as a nurse in the intensive care unit at the Shepherd Center.

She then discovered her true passion in aesthetics, where she seamlessly blends her critical thinking background with the joy of helping people find confidence in their appearance. Sarah expertly blends her critical thinking background with a genuine desire to help people discover confidence in their appearance.

Among her favorite treatments are Botox and lip filler, where she excels in achieving natural-looking results. The most gratifying aspect of her role is cultivating lasting relationships with patients, connecting with them every three months, and witnessing the positive transformations that unfold. Outside her professional pursuits, Sarah, an Atlanta native lives in Roswell, GA with her husband and two young children.

Mackenzie is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Her journey into aesthetics began in the medical field, working as a medical assistant before pursuing her passion and attending esthetician school.

Mackenzie is licensed, certified, and extensively trained in advanced treatments including SkinPen Microneedling, PRP, Laser Hair Removal, Virtue RF Microneedling, PDGF, DiamondGlow, Laser Genesis, chemical peels, dermaplaning, and customized facials. She specializes in creating personalized treatment plans designed to target individual concerns while delivering safe, effective results. Her passion lies in helping clients feel comfortable and confident in their own skin while guiding them toward achieving their unique skincare goals.

Outside of Thrive, Mackenzie enjoys working out, spending quality time with friends and family, and trying new restaurants.

Stephanie Nunes is an experienced Nurse Practitioner with a deep passion for delivering comprehensive, personalized care. Stephanie earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from Simmons College and holds a post-master’s certification in Genetics and Genomics. Her clinical expertise is particularly focused on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), menopause management, and medically supervised weight loss.

At Thrive Medical Spa, Stephanie is dedicated to helping clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Stephanie believes in addressing the whole person, crafting treatment plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs and goals. Whether you’re seeking support for hormonal balance, guidance through the menopause transition, or assistance with safe and effective weight management, Stephanie combines her clinical expertise with genuine compassion to help you thrive.

Meet Ryann Murray, one of the exceptional nurses at Thrive Medical Spa. A Woodstock, Georgia native, she pursued nursing at Georgia College in Milledgeville and discovered her passion for aesthetics along the way, helping patients feel confident through personalized care.
At Thrive and Zubowicz Aesthetics, Ryann plays a key role in consultations, listening to each patient’s concerns and ensuring safe, effective treatment plans. She also works closely with Dr. Zubowicz, assisting in the surgical suite to help deliver transformative results.

Outside of Thrive, you can find Ryann spending time with her husband, Chaz, and their two young children, Grayson and Quinn, along with their dog Molly and cat Luna. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling to new places, and trying out new restaurants. Her passion for aesthetics and dedication to patient care make Ryann an invaluable part of the Thrive Medical Spa and Zubowicz Aesthetics team. Whether you’re coming in for a consultation or a treatment, Ryann is here to help you feel your best from the inside out.

Angie Messner fell in love with the aesthetics industry over 15 years ago, dedicating nine of those years to running her own successful business. Her passion for aesthetics and the people within this space has only continued to grow. When the opportunity arose to help launch Thrive Medical Spa, Angie knew it was the perfect fit. Inspired by Dr. Z’s reputation and vision, she eagerly embraced the chance to be part of something truly extraordinary.

Angie plays a key role in strengthening Thrive’s presence within the community and the Chamber of Commerce, while also leading events and fostering meaningful local partnerships. Her commitment to excellence and genuine love for Thrive are reflected in everything she does, from building strong community connections to helping create a welcoming, elevated experience for every client. For Angie, Thrive is more than a workplace; it’s where her passion for people, her career journey, and her love for the aesthetics industry come together.

Ren brings years of experience and knowledge in the plastic surgery and aesthetic industry, with a professional background that includes patient care, surgical coordination, and practice management. Her extensive experience has given her a strong understanding of both the clinical and personal sides of the patient journey.

Warm, caring, and personable, Ren has a natural ability to connect with patients and make them feel comfortable and confident from their very first interaction. She is passionate about providing exceptional service and creating a positive, personalized experience for every patient at Zubowicz Aesthetics.

Outside of the office, Ren loves traveling—especially internationally—spending time with her children and two grandchildren, staying active, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, and relaxing at the beach.

Lisa Konz is deeply invested in the growth of Thrive Medical Spa, bringing more than a decade of experience in the aesthetics industry. Her expertise spans business strategy, brand management, photography, creative design, community outreach, and social media, allowing her to strategically guide Thrive Medical Spa toward long-term success.

As Marketing Manager, Lisa is focused on building brand awareness and driving engagement. Her passion for innovation, creativity, and meaningful community connections helps ensure Thrive continues to grow and lead in the aesthetics space.

With more than 20 years of experience as a professional photographer, Lisa brings a highly developed eye for visual storytelling and brand presentation to her work. She uses her photography and creative skills to capture the people, treatments, and patient experience at Thrive, helping bring the brand to life across its marketing and digital platforms.

Dr. Stephanie Farber is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breasts, and body. She has an eye for beauty that has been refined through her training in plastic surgery and the fine arts. Dr. Farber is committed to making all of her patients look and feel their best.

Patients of Dr. Farber appreciate her passion for the art of plastic surgery and her ability to make her patients feel comfortable and confident. She is kind, talented, meticulous, and is known for her attention to detail, listening ear and aesthetic eye. Her goal is to earn her patients’ trust by being their advocate, confidante, and cheerleader.

As a surgeon, Dr. Farber has extensive experience in aesthetic plastic surgery, including breast surgery, body contouring, and facial plastic surgery, as well as in reconstructive surgery, including breast cancer reconstruction and skin cancer reconstruction. She has been recognized as one of the Atlantan/Modern Luxury’s Top Doctors, Castle Connelly’s Rising Stars and Best Plastic Surgeon in Sandy Springs and Buckhead for the past four years.