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. Presently is an active member at Congregation Beth Yeshurun. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with her three daughters and four grand children.

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!

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 graduated from Lamar University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in 2018. She began her nursing career working on a Medical Surgical/Telemetry unit for 3 years. She joined Basu Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in 2021, where she works as a circulator nurse in the operating room. She takes pride in helping patients realize their cosmetic goals and seeing the positive impact it makes on their lives. She strives to make you feel comfortable while providing exceptional service and care. Outside of work, Rita is happily married and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends (and dog).

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Michaela began her journey with Basu Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in 2021. She grew up near Beaumont, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lamar University. Prior to joining our team, Michaela worked as a Telemetry/Medical-Surgical nurse for over 3 years.

As one of our plastic surgery nurses, Michaela strives to provide exceptional, compassionate care while also getting to know her patients on a personal level. She loves being a part of each patient’s surgical journey and is dedicated to making them feel comfortable every step of the way.

When she’s not in the office, Michaela enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, and family, cooking, traveling, 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. As a Surgical RN, she provides compassionate care to our patients pre/ post-operation. When she’s not in the office, Laurel enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband!

Plastic Surgery Nurse

Licensed Esthetician

Amanda is a Wisconsin native who is a licensed Esthetician with over 18 years of experience in the cosmetic and plastic surgery field. She specializes in the most advanced laser & light technologies, Erbium laser, Morpheus8, IPL, SkinPen, HydraFacial, chemical peel treatments, and medical grade skin care treatments.  After many years of struggling with her own complexion, her dedication to continuing education and patient care allows her to help each client achieve beautiful, healthy skin with the latest, most effective skin care treatments.  When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and twin daughters, traveling, and being active, especially outdoors. Her faith, family, and career give her great fulfillment in life knowing that what she does can make a difference in people’s lives.