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Our Advisory Board

Cartessa works in consultation with an esteemed Medical and Strategic Advisory board to discover and vet those aesthetic devices that offer something exceptional for doctors and patients.


Nazanin Saedi, MD

Chair – Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Nazanin Saedi is the Director of Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Center. She is a board-certified and fellowship trained dermatologist specializing in dermatologic surgery and cosmetic dermatology.

Dr. Saedi graduated cum laude from Princeton University, and then graduated with distinction and AOA honors from the George Washington University School of Medicine. She completed her residency at the University of California, where she served as the Chief Resident. Dr. Saedi completed a fellowship with SkinCare Physicians in cosmetic, laser, and dermatologic surgery.

In addition to her role as Director, she is currently an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University. She lectures internationally and nationally on topics regarding laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology. She is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery(ASDS), and the American Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine(ASLMS). She has served as chair of several ASLMS committees and served as the Annual Meeting Chair for ASLMS 2017. Dr. Saedi in active in many clinical trials and has authored over 60 articles and book chapters.


Emil Tanghetti, MD

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Tanghetti is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He is currently listed in the “Best Doctors in America” Pacific region and has been recognized as “Top Doc” by his peers in Sacramento magazine. Dr. Tanghetti has received the “Hero in Health Care” award for his volunteer work in removing tattoos for the California Youth Authority.

Dr. Tanghetti has been active in clinical studies for more than a decade. His research interests have focused on laser surgery, psoriasis, actinic keratosis, photo aging and acne vulgaris. His work has been published in journals such as Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, The Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, and Cutis. He has also recently been named to the editorial board of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Tanghetti has presented data at the meetings of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology and Laser Innsbruck, and is an internationally recognized speaker and consultant. He is a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and a member of the California Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.


Thomas Griffin, Jr., MD

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Griffin is the Director of our Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. After studying the microbiology of skin with the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Griffin graduated from Jefferson Medical College where he was elected to the Hobart Armory Hare surgical honor society and the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Dr. Griffin subsequently completed his residency training with the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Currently, Dr. Griffin is an active member in the Philadelphia Dermatological Society, Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and holds volunteer positions in both the Membership and Finance committees of the American Society for Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Dr. Griffin believes in a patient centered approach to dermatologic care and has a passion for surgical and aesthetic dermatology.


Jordana Herschthal, MD

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Jordana Herschthal is a board-certified dermatologist, and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. In addition to general dermatology, she is an expert in cosmetic treatments, dermal fillers, laser procedures, dermatologic surgery, and skin cancer management, including Mohs surgery. Prior to joining the practice, Dr. Herschthal completed her BA degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, her Medical degree from the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, her Medical internship at Columbia University’s St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan, New York and her Dermatology residency at University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami (where she earned the Excellence in Dermatologic Surgery Award).


Bill Kortesis, MD, FACS

Medical Advisory Board

Past President of the NC Plastic Surgery Society, Dr. Bill G. Kortesis, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeonspecializing in both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. With significant contributions to the field of plastic surgery, he has established himself as a talented and caring surgeon with a genuine desire to help others within the medical community and beyond.

Dr. Kortesis earned his Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and his graduate education at Wake Forest School of Medicine. He went on to train and become a Chief Resident in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Dr. Kortesis is co-owner and partner of HKB Plastic Surgery.  He mentors medical students and residents from UNC and Wake Forest and teaches fellows from the UNC Plastic Surgery Department. Dr. Kortesis also lectures at local, regional and national American Society of Plastic Surgeons meetings and is a certified injector trainer.


Gaurav Bharti, MD, FACS

Medical Advisory Board

Gaurav Bharti is a board certified plastic surgeon in an aesthetic private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).   His practice is a fully aesthetic practice with extensive volume of breast, body, facial, and minimally invasive cases.  He also has a very high volume injectable practice. 

Dr. Bharti received his plastic surgery training at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  Following completion of his training, Dr. Bharti relocated to Johnson City, TN and joined the surgical faculty at Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University where he was assistant professor in plastic surgery.

Dr. Bharti then moved his practice to Charlotte, NC and joined his partners Bill Kortesis and Joseph Hunstad.  He is actively involved in the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)  the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), North Carolina Society of Plastic Surgeons (NCSPS),  and the South Eastern Society of Plastic Surgeons (SESPRS).   In addition Dr. Bharti is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.   Dr. Bharti is adjunct professor at UNC Chapel Hill Department of Plastic Surgery and at Carolinas Healthcare System Charlotte, NC Department of Surgery.


Carey Nease, MD

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Nease is certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He has performed more than 8,000 cosmetic surgical procedures, using innovative techniques with laser technology and unsurpassed commitment to excellence through surgical artistry.

As a Fellowship Director for the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Nease provides training to American Board of Medical Specialties-certified fellows who are either general surgeons, plastic surgeons or head and neck surgeons. He is also a board-examiner and trustee of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and the 2017 President Elect for the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS). He was named Best of the Best Cosmetic Surgeon for six consecutive years in Chattanooga, TN.


Minni Saluja, MD

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Saluja received a degree in pharmacy from the University of Kentucky, then completed medical school at Emory University. After finishing her ophthalmology residency at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, she moved back to North Carolina to practice as a board-certified ophthalmologist.

After using Botox® to treat facial spasms, Dr. Saluja became interested in cosmetic dermatology. She went on to complete a research and clinical fellowship in cosmetic dermatology under the guidance of a world-renowned expert in the field, Dr. Mitch Goldman.

During her fellowship, Dr. Saluja received intensive training in dermal fillers, injectables, and laser technology. She participated in clinical trials and laser research, publishing papers on fractional laser technology, laser lipolysis, Alexandrite lasers, Picopulsed lasers, radio-frequency devices and laser hair removal. Dr. Saluja is a well-known expert in laser treatments and injectables. Her clinical experience on a multitude of laser platforms has led to invitations to lecture nationally and internationally.


Sejal Shah, MD

Medical Advisory Board

Sejal K. Shah, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in the Tribeca — Financial District of Manhattan, New York. She performs all aspects of dermatology with an expertise in cosmetic dermatology and lasers, hair loss, and ethnic skin at her offices inside SmarterSkin Dermatology. Dr. Shah graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama. Afterward, she went on to do her postgraduate studies and subsequently earned her medical degree, at the prestigious Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. After completing her internship in internal medicine at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, she completed a two-year clinical research fellowship at the Skin of Color Center. Returning to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, she completed her dermatology residency and served as chief resident during her senior year. She continues to remain on faculty in the department of dermatology where she teaches the cosmetic clinic.

Dr. Shah is also the author of numerous articles and book chapters. She has presented at several national and international meetings as a speaker of quality and merit. Through her inspired work, she has also been featured in many mainstream online, print, and TV media.


Paul G. Ruff IV, M.D., F.A.C.S

Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Paul G. Ruff is recognized as one of the top cosmetic plastic surgeons in Washington, D.C. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

A longtime resident of the D.C. metropolitan area, Dr. Ruff received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, where he volunteered with the Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service (GERMS), and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). He performed his general surgery residency and surgical critical care residency at Washington Hospital Center, where he was the chief administrative resident. He then moved to San Diego to complete his plastic surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center (UCSD). During his residencies, he was awarded the Gould Award from Washington Hospital Center and the Chairman’s Prize at UCSD.

Dr. Ruff is the founder of West End Plastic Surgery, and he was appointed Assistant Professor of Clinical Plastic Surgery by the Georgetown University Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs. He has been featured on ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise and Fox 5 News. Deeply passionate about philanthropy, Dr. Ruff has treated cleft lip and palate patients through Operation Smile and performed reconstructive procedures on children in underserved areas in Mexico through a medical mission group. Today he continues his mission through his work with The Future of Nicaragua Foundation, and he founded Wrinkle Erase for the Cause, a non-profit event that raises money for breast cancer research.


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