About us

River Oaks Skin Institute is a luxury boutique medical aesthetic practice.  We specialize in safely delivering high-quality cosmetic injectables, luxury aesthetic treatments, and medical-grade skincare products.  All procedures are performed by our highly trained and experienced nurse practitioners and aestheticians.  We are passionate about aesthetics and providing the best experience possible to each of our patients.  At River Oaks Skin Institute, our goal is to enhance your natural beauty.

“Everyone will notice.  No one will know.”
VERONICA ALANIZ | River Oaks Skin Institute in Houston, TX

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Dr. Phi Nguyen | River Oaks Skin Institute in Houston, TX

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Phi Nguyen, MD

Medical Director

Plastic Surgeon / Medical Director

Dr. Phi Nguyen is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at The University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston and the founder and physician of MIA Plastic Surgery in Houston. “Dr. Phi” has more than 20 years of experience in aesthetic plastic surgery with special expertise in minimally invasive surgery. He continually studies and advances his techniques and is developing exciting new ways to contour the face and body without invasive surgery.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Rice University, Dr. Phi attended medical school at the University of Texas at Houston’s Medical Center where he graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine. His residencies in general surgery and plastic surgery were completed at Houston’s St. Joseph Medical Center. The plastic surgery residency program Dr. Phi attended was founded by the creator of the breast implant and notable plastic surgery physicians.

Dr. Phi annually travels with the nonprofit association, Operation San Jose, to Asia and South America to perform cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries for children in need. He also serves on the boards of several other Houston-area nonprofit associations and surgical nonprofit associations within Texas and the United States.

Veronica-Alaniz-NP-C | River Oaks Skin Institute in Houston, TX

Veronica Alaniz, MSN, APRN, NP-C

PHYSICIAN / OWNER & FOUNDER

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner / Founder

Veronica is a board-certified nurse practitioner and highly skilled aesthetic provider. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and she has also earned a Master of Science in nursing. She has a strong foundation of advanced aesthetic training in both the clinic setting and in the plastic surgery operating room. Her early training was hands-on, or rather, “hands-in” training as she “scrubbed in” for plastic surgeries. Veronica recounts, “I did not learn anatomy by just reading a book. I was able to see, touch, and understand facial anatomy on a different level. I use this awareness in every single treatment I provide my patients.”

Veronica was born into a U.S. Air Force family. Her love for travel and experiencing a variety of cultures and diversity in all things sprang from a childhood of seeing the world through many vantage points. The importance of faith and family were instilled early on as a child and today give her a solid foundation and the confidence to be creative, passionate, and disciplined. Houston has been home to much of her family for five generations.

Health, wellness, and aesthetics have been an important part of Veronica’s life and serve her well as a healthcare provider. Being competitive in nature and always up for a challenge, she participated in numerous pageant competitions. The pageants furthered her interest in fitness, healthy living, and aesthetics. Her efforts paid off not only in setting the foundation for a career she loves, but she was also crowned Miss Petite Teen International 2005 and Miss Nevada USA 2008. She also worked in the world of modeling for several years, even owning her own agency, which enhanced her business sense in the aesthetic world.

Her experiences in pageantry and the modeling industry gave her a keen appreciation for beauty which she employs in her assessments when working with patients. She feels blessed to be in a place where many of her life’s interests, career, education, and passions are in alignment. Veronica believes aesthetic treatments should always be performed with patient safety as the number one priority. She employs a combination of science and art to customize every treatment to enhance each patient’s uniquely different features leaving them with natural-looking results.

Lauren Ellison, MSN, NP-C

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Lauren is a highly skilled, board certified nurse practitioner who has over 15 years of nursing experience. She has a Master’s degree in nursing and has been working exclusively in aesthetics for the past 6 years. Lauren‘s strong foundation of medical knowledge and patient care allows her to perform the safest and most effective aesthetic procedures for her patients.

Lauren takes pride in her eye for detail. She takes a holistic approach to treating every patient by working on overall facial balance versus just focusing on one area of concern. She believes a balanced face is a beautiful face! Her focus is on global improvement through  the various uses of neurotoxins, dermal fillers and PDO threads. 

She is committed to helping her patients look and feel their best. She wants them to have the best experience each and every time they sit in her chair. Lauren stays up to date on the latest in aesthetic health by regularly completing continuing education courses and participating in trainings to further her knowledge.

Lauren was born and raised in Louisiana but has lived in Houston for the past 14 years. She loves all things related to her roots, including crawfish, Mardi Gras and LSU football! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, working out, traveling and trying out all of the amazing restaurants Houston has to offer.

Lauren is a highly skilled, board certified nurse practitioner who has over 15 years of nursing experience. She has a Master’s degree in nursing and has been working exclusively in aesthetics for the past 6 years. Lauren‘s strong foundation of medical knowledge and patient care allows her to perform the safest and most effective aesthetic procedures for her patients.

Lauren takes pride in her eye for detail. She takes a holistic approach to treating every patient by working on overall facial balance versus just focusing on one area of concern. She believes a balanced face is a beautiful face!

Her focus is on global improvement through the various uses of neurotoxins, dermal fillers and PDO threads.

She is committed to helping her patients look and feel their best. She wants them to have the best experience each and every time they sit in her chair.

Lauren stays up to date on the latest in aesthetic health by regularly completing continuing education courses and participating in trainings to further her knowledge.

Lauren was born and raised in Louisiana but has lived in Houston for the past 14 years.

She loves all things related to her roots, including crawfish, Mardi Gras and LSU football! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, working out, traveling and trying out all of the amazing restaurants Houston has to offer.

Laura (Roby) Macko, RN, BSN, CANS

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Laura is a board certified aesthetic nurse specialist and has been in the aesthetic industry for over thirteen years and has been a full time injector for over seven years. Laura is one of the few nurses in the area to have her CANS certification which requires extensive training, education, and years of experience to obtain. Laura is also a national GAIN trainer for Galderma, where she travels to other medical offices, training providers on the newest products and techniques.

She is committed to providing high-quality, innovative aesthetic treatments with patient safety as top priority. Laura prides herself on taking her time with patients, building trust through personal relationships. She is committed to creating patient-specific treatment plans with the patient’s aesthetic goal as the primary focus. As a nurse injector, Laura combines her thorough knowledge of facial anatomy, her caring nature, and clinical expertise to achieve a natural, conservative results for her patients in a comfortable setting.

Drilona “Dra” Ibraimi, RN, BSN

Aesthetic Nurse Injector

Drilona is a skilled nurse injector with three years of experience in aesthetic medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL in 2018. Prior to working in aesthetics, she worked in both the specials needs healthcare environment and pediatric ICU. Her passion for helping clients achieve their aesthetic goals through safe and effective treatments drives her practice.

With a strong background in nursing and specialized training in injectables, Drilona delivers personalized care and natural-looking results to each client. Dedicated to staying updated on the latest techniques and advancements in the field, she is committed to providing the highest standard of care. Through her expertise and compassionate approach, Drilona strives to empower clients to look and feel their best.

Emily Thornton, LMA

Licensed Medical Aesthetician

Emily is a Licensed Medical Aesthetician and Laser Hair Removal Technician with 7 years of experience. Her innate desire to help others is what inspired her to pursue a career as an Aesthetician. Having only worked exclusively in medical spas throughout her career, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her clients. Her passion for skin health, commitment to thoroughness, and unwavering dedication to her clients’ comfort and results are what set her apart as an exceptional provider.

Her clients appreciate her attention to detail, ensuring that every treatment is performed with the utmost care and expertise. She takes time to educate her clients about the procedures, helping them make informed decisions and feel comfortable throughout the process.

Among Emily’s favorite services are extractions and Hydrafacial, which she finds incredibly satisfying. She has a deep appreciation for some of her staple skincare products such as Phloretin CF and Triple Lipid.

Emily is a proud native of the Greater Houston area, where she was born and raised. When she’s not working, you can find her indulging in her love for tacos, cherishing her beloved dog, and spending quality time with her partner, family, and friends.

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Feel free to reach out and ask us anything!

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