Meet the Staff

Practice Manager

With over 15 years in customer service and 5 years in aesthetics, Sam is the smiling face that we all know and love as you walk in the front doors of Basu Plastic Surgery. She creates strong relationships with our patients and loves seeing everyone’s transformations. Sam was born in Pakistan, has a 4 year old son and 3 dogs who are also her babies. When she isn’t at the office she enjoys going to the gym and reading.

Board-Certified Anesthesiologist

After working in the medical center for over 15 years as an ABA board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Mary Ellen Firat is the head of anesthesia at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery and our Ambulatory Surgery Center – Beleza Surgery Center. Hailing from Auburn, AL, Dr. Firat attended Loyola University in New Orleans as an undergrad and obtained her M.D. from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She moved to Houston for anesthesia residency at UT Houston in 1999 and made it her home. It had always been her “dream job” to do aesthetic plastic surgery at an outpatient surgery center, as she enjoys watching the patients’ transformations and loves helping them start their journeys while providing a relaxing anesthetic suited to each individual. She loves spending time with her husband and four fur babies in her spare time.

Listen to Mary Ellen answer “Is anesthesia dangerous?” on our Behind the Double Doors podcast.

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Susan (BSN, RN) is truly a patient advocate and a champion of exceptional patient care. She has a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso. She was inducted in the National Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau in 1981. She has been a plastic reconstructive surgical and skincare nurse since 1991. Her vast knowledge in this industry has been proven by her plethora of loyal and satisfied patients. Susan enjoys creating a personalized experience vowing to be honest and true to all patients while defining the science and art of skin care and plastic surgery, inclusive of wellness and health awareness. Susan also speaks Spanish. In the past, she has enjoyed being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and has served as a board member for the Victoria Ballet Company and the Children’s Museum of Victoria and Temple Binai Israel. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with her three daughters and family.

Certified Master Injector

Denae is a native Houstonian who attended The University of Texas for pre-nursing and graduated from Texas Woman’s University. She is very excited about being part of the team at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery.

She has specialized in aesthetics since 2007 and is a Certified Master Injector specializing in Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, Xeomin, Juvederm and Restylane products. Denae takes great pride in her work and provides patients with customized treatment plans tailored to their individual needs. Her ability to critically assess her patients’ goals and develop treatments to maximize their satisfaction sets her apart. Her vision is to provide sustainable solutions that give clients natural-looking results and enhanced confidence. She is very passionate about continuing education and learning the newest techniques for facial injectables.

Outside of work, Denae enjoys spending time with her family (husband, 2 daughters, and a Pomeranian), being on the lake, reading and singing. She is also passionate about traveling and had the opportunity to visit Europe and Southeast Asia while living abroad in Singapore and London.

Follow Denae on Instagram »

Aesthetic Injector

Lori has worked in the medical aesthetic field for over 20 years. She recently moved to Cypress, TX from Orange County, CA, where she focused on injectables for a busy plastic surgery office in Irvine, California for the last decade. Lori has extensive experience injecting neurotoxins including Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau, along with various dermal fillers, such as Allergan products including Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, Juvederm, and Kybella, Asclera, and Restylane products including Restylane L, Lyft, Refyne, Defyne, and Kysse.

Lori truly enjoys helping people feel happier and looking their best for their age through her work in the aesthetic field. She especially loves getting to know her patients on a personal level, assessing their individual needs, and attaining their anti-aging goals with a beautiful, natural and balanced outcome.

Outside of work, Lori enjoys spending her free time with her husband of 35 years, family, and friends. She loves being active–working out, playing in a tennis league, traveling, eating out, and traveling to new places!

Aesthetic Injector

Shivangi is a nurse practitioner who has been in the healthcare field for 7 years. She graduated both nursing and nurse practitioner school with honors. Born in India, she has lived all around the world and is fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marwari.

Shivangi believes in a listening and educating approach to her care. She believes that her first job is to listen to the patient and understand the needs of the client. As an aesthetic injector, she takes pride in her keen eye and loves to focus her work on facial balancing. She loves learning new techniques and is consistently pursuing continuing education.

She enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She enjoys singing, traveling, staying active and recently, exploring her new city – Houston.

Licensed Esthetician

Iman is a Licensed Esthetician and Laser Technician from Houston, Texas. She was born in El Paso, but spent most of her life in Houston. She has a passion for skincare, laser treatments and loves performing body contouring procedures such as EmSculpt and CoolSculpting. Iman is extremely detail oriented and uses that to create trust and long-lasting relationships with her clients. She loves to create custom skincare regimens for all her patients to help them achieve their aesthetic goals. Her favorite part of being an Esthetician is seeing the confidence boost her patients get from their treatments. In her free time, Iman loves to discover new restaurants, decorate her home and spend quality time with her loved ones.

Front Desk Coordinator

Our front desk staff is the friendliest around! Michelle is here to help your experience with us run smoothly, not only aiding in scheduling your appointments, making sure your paperwork is up-to-date, and taking payments but also providing you with comfort and warmth from the second you walk in the door. Have a question about your appointment or looking to schedule a new one? Contact us by giving them a call at 713-799-2278.

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Rita was born and raised in Texas. She graduated from Lamar University with her Bachelor’s in Nursing Science and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She began her nursing career working on a Medical Surgical and Telemetry unit for 3 years. She then transitioned into the field of plastic surgery where she discovered her true passion. She is with you on the day of surgery as well as at post operative appointments. She takes pride in helping patients realize their cosmetic goals and seeing the positive impact it makes on their lives.  Outside of work, Rita enjoys exploring new coffee shops, visiting bookstores and spending time with her family and friends.

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Michaela grew up near Beaumont, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lamar University. Before joining our team at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery, she worked as a Telemetry/Medical-Surgical nurse for over 3 years. Michaela is passionate about providing a great experience and excellent nursing care to all of our patients. She loves being a part of each patient’s surgical journey and is dedicated to making them feel comfortable every step of the way. Outside of work, Michaela enjoys spending time with friends and family and being outdoors.

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Laurel grew up in Spring TX, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University. Before joining our team at Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery, she worked as a Neuro ICU nurse for over 3 years. Laurel is passionate about providing a great experience and excellent nursing care to all of our patients. She loves being a part of each patient’s surgical journey and is dedicated to making them feel comfortable every step of the way. Outside of work, Laurel enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family.

Plastic Surgery Nurse