One of the most important decisions you make when choosing to have cosmetic surgery is picking a plastic surgeon that is a good fit for you. You want to make sure you feel comfortable with the person in whose hands you place your body. Read all about Dr. Rosdeutscher at our Brentwood office and Dr. Peters at our Germantown office for more background on each of them.
However, you are likely to spend as much or more time with the nurses and staff at your plastic surgery practice. Your first contact is often with a patient care manager who educates patients about the various procedures, determines if they are good candidates, and schedules their procedure.
Today we’d like you to meet Darla, Patient Care Manager at our Brentwood practice. Darla is originally from Texas, wanted to train seeing eye dogs as a child, and is a Dirty Dancing aficionado. Learn more about Darla in the interview below.
Interview with Patient Care Manager Darla Smith
Q: Darla, what brought you to Nashville?
A: I’m originally from Center, Texas and came to Nashville to start my career in plastic surgery. I owned my own custom framing/gift business at the time and after visiting Nashville at Christmas one year, decided it would be a great place to live.
Q: Aaaah, we love when people come to Nashville for something other than music! What first drew you towards plastic surgery?
A: I had a small procedure in 2003 and was intrigued by the whole spectrum of plastic surgery. Until then, I had thought plastic surgery was only for the rich and famous. When I was offered a job in this field, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this exciting field and to move to Nashville.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about plastic surgery?
A: I find that plastic surgery has the potential to change someone’s life dramatically. I enjoy being able to help guide someone through the experience and watch them develop a new attitude about themselves. Patients gain more confidence and satisfaction about themselves throughout the process. I love helping patients to see just how beautiful they truly are. And there are always new advances being developed with less downtime/better results. It is truly an exciting field to work in.
Q: That’s such a good point – it’s not so much about making people more beautiful, but to help them see how beautiful they already are! How long have you worked in plastic surgery?
A: I have been working in plastic surgery for 16 years. I started as a patient coordinator and moved to office manager within 1 year. My background in banking helps me with the financial aspect of this job, while having owned my own business helps me with the administrative side. I enjoy getting to know patients at a personal level.
Q: Do you have any pets at home?
A: I’ve always been a “dog person” and we have three dogs – an Australian Shepherd mix, a true Heinz 57 mutt (his DNA has 7 different breeds) and a Shih Tzu rescue. I’d have three more but my husband says three is enough. My family had kennels when I was a child, and it was not uncommon to bottle feed 75 puppies in the summer. When we had to write a paper on our future career, I chose training seeing eye dogs. I have not ruled out that career but it may have to wait until I retire.
Q: That sounds like any child’s dream! How do you like to spend your free time now, as an adult?
A: I love to cook and work in my garden. I am also an avid reader and love to travel. My daughter and her husband live in Texas, so I try to visit them often. Getting together with friends to cook and play games is my favorite past time.
Q: Tell us something unusual about yourself that only a few people know.
A: I love to sing/dance and am an accomplished flute player. I love performing and have done so in front of small/large crowds. I make custom wreaths and floral arrangements in my spare time. I have a wicked sense of humor and would rather laugh than eat. (That last part may not be altogether true. I don’t miss too many meals.)
Q: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
A: “Dirty Dancing” of course. My husband bought me the 25th Anniversary addition. But anything with Patrick Swayze works for me.
Q: Aha, that might explain your Jennifer-Grey-lookalike hairdo in the photo below! Thank you so much for your time, Darla, it was great to get you know you better!
John Rosdeutscher, MD
Double board-certified plastic surgeon “Dr. R” has been voted Best of Music City #1 plastic surgeon 3+ years.
Mark Peters, MD
Board-certified Memphis plastic surgeon Dr. Peters has earned recognition for his work in skin tightening and cellulite reduction.
