Meet the Team
A team is more than a word! My team represents decades of honing the right people, with the right qualifications, experience, attitude, compassion, honesty, dependability and humor. An experienced in a decades old practice doesn’t just happen, it is carefully planned and I am exceedingly fortunate to have this team. These ladies are an extension of my and my vision of excellence in cosmetic facial surgery. Team members are shown in the order of seniority.
Joe Niamtu, III DMD, FAAFCS
Joe Niamtu, III DMD is a double boarded certified cosmetic facial surgeon with a passion for his profession and an educator and innovator with Deep Plane Facelift. He is considered a key opinion leader by numerous specialties and is a surgeon, author and teacher. He has authored 7 textbooks, contributed 34 chapters in other textbooks and has published hundreds of articles on cosmetic surgery. He has lectured on six continents and has taught an annual live cosmetic facial surgery course in Richmond, Virginia for the past 24 years: teaching surgeons from all over the world. Dr. Niamtu is well known for his intra-specialty participation and is a frequent speaker at multispecialty cosmetic surgery meetings. He has won “Best Cosmetic Surgeon” 39 times in Virginia. Dr. Niamtu is married to April Niamtu and has two special needs children.
Sallie Close
I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Niamtu on and off since 1983, making cosmetic facial surgery a significant part of my professional journey. In my role, I assist with preparing the operating room, supporting Dr. Niamtu during surgical procedures, monitoring patients throughout recovery, and providing post-operative care and evaluations to help ensure a smooth healing process.
What I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to connect with our patients. Building relationships and witnessing the positive impact their procedures have on their confidence and quality of life is incredibly rewarding. Over the years, many patients have become cherished friends, and I value being part of their transformation journey.
Outside of the office, I am excited to be getting married this summer to my “Prince” — someone I first met in the fourth grade and reconnected with after 45 years. I have a son who lives in New Mexico, a daughter and grandson in Virginia Beach, and I am proud to help care for my remarkable 93-year-old mother, who is still driving! In my free time, I enjoy flowers, art, music, and spending time with animals. Given the choice, you’ll always find me near the water — any day at the beach is a great day.
Debra Simmons
33 years of experience in the field, she has built her career entirely within this specialty, developing deep expertise in both clinical operations and practice management.
In her role, Debra leads and directs all aspects of practice operations, including financial performance and P&L management, to ensure the continued success and growth of the practice. She is known for her servant leadership style and her ability to foster a positive, motivated, and collaborative team environment. Often described as the “team cheerleader,” she is passionate about pouring into her team and helping each member grow both personally and professionally.
Debra takes pride in working behind the scenes to support her team and surgeon, allowing each to shine while ensuring patients receive an exceptional experience and feel confident in their care.
Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, Debra embraces a full and active life outside the office. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, singing, and line dancing. She is an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and loves international travel, cruising, and time at the beach.
Shelly Linger
Shelly has been a valued member of Dr. Niamtu’s practice for over 21 years. As Cosmetic Surgical Coordinator, she serves as a liaison between patients and the office, helping guide patients through the surgical process and ensuring their experience is smooth, informative, and supportive from start to finish.
Shelly is passionate about patient care and treats every patient like family. She enjoys building lasting relationships and helping patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their cosmetic surgery journey. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing patients after they have healed and watching them feel like themselves again. She also jokingly admits that one of her goals is keeping Dr. Niamtu busy!
Originally from Northern Virginia, Shelly is the proud mother of two grown children. Outside the office, she enjoys kayaking, biking, hiking, yoga, reading, thrifting, traveling, and spending time with her two beloved fur babies.
Rachael Taylor
Rachael serves as the Quality Assurance Coordinator for our AAAHC-accredited surgical facility. She works closely with both clinical and administrative teams to ensure the highest standards of patient safety, quality care, and regulatory compliance. Her dedication to continuous improvement and operational excellence helps support an exceptional experience for every patient we serve.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Rachael earned her bachelor’s degree from Canisius University and spent eight years working in the dermatology field before relocating to Virginia. Her healthcare background and commitment to quality make her an invaluable member of our team.
Outside of work, Rachael enjoys discovering her next great read and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
Jenny Jernigan, BSA, RN
Jenny is a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of nursing experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing and began her career caring for patients in orthopedic and medical-surgical settings. Over the course of her career, she developed a passion for aesthetic medicine and facial cosmetic surgery, leading her to specialize in cosmetic facial procedures. As an integral member of the practice, she works closely with Dr. Joe Niamtu in both the clinical and surgical settings, providing comprehensive patient care throughout their treatment journey. In addition to assisting in surgery and clinic, Jenny serves as an extender in the office and performs non-surgical aesthetic treatments, including neurotoxin and dermal filler injections. She is dedicated to helping patients achieve natural-looking results while providing compassionate, individualized care and ensuring a positive patient experience.
Jessica Hendrick
Jessi Hendrick serves as a Patient Service Representative at Dr. Niamtu’s office, where she helps create a seamless and welcoming experience for every patient. From coordinating appointments to assisting out-of-town patients with information and planning, Jessi is committed to making each step of the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With more than 20 years of experience in the cosmetic industry and over 10 years with the practice, Jessi values the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team while helping patients feel confident and empowered in their aesthetic goals.
A lifelong resident of the area, Jessi enjoys spending time with her husband, Brad, whom she met in middle school, cheering on her son Levi at baseball games, and getting lost in a good book.
Taylor Kohstall
As a Patient Service Representative at Niamtu Cosmetic Facial Surgery, Taylor Kohstall is often one of the first friendly faces patients see when they arrive. She helps patients feel comfortable throughout their visit by preparing charts, assisting with scheduling, answering questions, and ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.
Taylor is a licensed esthetician with more than 20 years of experience in the cosmetic industry and has been a valued member of the practice for over six years. She loves helping patients feel confident, beautiful, and excited about their results while guiding them through every step of the process.
Taylor came to Virginia in 2015, and is formerly from Ohio. She is also a graduate of The Ohio State University, and Buckeye fan for life! Outside of work, Taylor enjoys making memories with her husband, John, and their sons, Archer and Xavier. Whether she’s cheering from the sidelines at a football game, traveling with her family, playing a round of golf, or diving into her latest romantasy read, she values time spent with the people she loves most.
Breeden Browning, RN
Breeden Browning has been a valued member of Dr. Niamtu’s team for more than seven years. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from James Madison University and later completed her nursing education at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Prior to joining the practice, Breeden worked in Surgery and Trauma at VCU Medical Center (MCV), gaining valuable experience in patient care and surgical nursing.
As a Registered Nurse, Breeden assists Dr. Niamtu in both the operating room and clinical setting. She also serves as a nurse injector, specializing in neurotoxins and dermal fillers. Her passion for aesthetics and patient care allows her to help patients achieve natural-looking results while enhancing their confidence and overall sense of well-being.
Regan Moore
Regan Moore is a surgical assistant who joined our practice in 2026 in her current role and several years of experience in healthcare. Prior to joining our practice, she worked with a local Mohs surgeon for several years, where she gained valuable experience in surgical assisting and patient care.
Regan is passionate about helping patients look and feel their best and takes pride in building genuine, supportive relationships with those she cares for. She brings a compassionate, patient-centered approach to every interaction in the clinical setting.
Originally from Fort Gay, West Virginia, Regan enjoys spending her free time reading and caring for her pets, including her lizard “Biggie Smalls” and her kitten Juniper. She also has a fondness for frogs, which reflects her fun-loving personality outside of work.
