Melinda O’Rourke, MD

Dr. Melinda O’Rourke received her Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Colorado (CU), Boulder, and her M.D. degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is a member of the academic honorary societies, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. After an internship in OB/GYN, Dr. O’Rourke was a general practitioner and active in ophthalmic research at CU. Her research was published and presented at professional meetings in British Columbia and Oxford University in England. Dr. O’Rourke continued postgraduate training at CU, completing her Ophthalmology Residency. Board certified by the

American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. O’Rourke has over 20 years of surgical experience. Dr. O’Rourke was one of the first surgeons to perform CO2 laser skin resurfacing, and since then, her interest and experience in cosmetic procedures has evolved, with an emphasis on promoting healthy skin through technology. She opened Essence Laser & Wellness in 2011, and has been an innovator in Aesthetic Medicine, and advanced therapy for Dry Eyes through IPL, and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma).

Dr. O’Rourke feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to offer a wide spectrum of services at Essence with assistance from her professional, and highly trained staff, and yet she still remains involved with the care of every patient. The services offered at Essence reflect Dr. O’Rourke’s philosophy of maintaining not only healthy skin, and eyes, but a healthy body and state of mind as well.

Volunteering her time at the Stout Street Eye Clinic over the past 20 years, Dr. O’Rourke brings eyecare to the homeless in metro Denver. She and husband, Paul, have been active participants with Vision Health International, participating in numerous cataract surgery projects worldwide over 25 years, providing indispensable eye care to those in need. Dr. O’Rourke also serves on the Board of Directors at the Red Rocks Community College Foundation, which provides academic scholarships to non-traditional students who need a second chance. Dr. O’Rourke was awarded the prestigious Ethics in Business Award, presented by US Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and was recognized by the then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for her volunteer work. Dr. O’Rourke has two children, and an adorable grandson. She enjoys hiking (with Golden/Lab Mix, Olive), yoga, skiing, the movies, mountains and beaches, and traveling to places where she doesn’t understand the language.

Kaeli

Kaeli began her career in Esthetic Medicine after graduating from the Colorado School of Paramedical Esthetics in 2005. She received advanced laser training from Rocky Mountain Laser College and has since been practicing as a Medical Aesthetician and Laser Technician.

Joining Essence Laser & Wellness as Clinical Director at its opening in 2011, Kaeli has been an integral part of the success and evolution of Essence.

Kaeli quickly learned that she had a true passion for helping others look and feel their best. She prides herself on connecting with her clients to help them achieve their unique skincare goals. With 15 plus years in the Esthetics industry, Kaeli specializes in CO2 laser skin resurfacing, IPL (intense pulsed light therapy), radio frequency skin tightening, micro needling, laser hair removal, PRP therapy, medical grade facials and customized skincare regimens. She received her Allergan Botox certification and training in 2021. Kaeli believes combining laser modalities, great skincare, and injectables is a wonderful way to achieve a beautifully natural look.

In addition to her excellent technical skills, Kaeli takes the time to evaluate each individual patient to fully understand their skin care needs and expectations, and educates her patients on the latest skincare technologies, and the importance of medical grade skin care.

In her free time, Kaeli enjoys spending time with her husband and two young sons. She also loves exercising, hiking, meditation, going to a good concert, and traveling.

Michelle

Michelle grew up in Laguna Niguel, CA where she spent most of her free time at the beach or the stables where she rode and cared for her horses. Her understanding of not only having, but more importantly keeping beautiful skin started at a young age with her mother driving home the importance of protecting her skin from the strong southern California sunshine.

She became a licensed Esthetician through the Palomar Institute of Cosmetology in San Diego in 2005 where her primary focus centered on the holistic approach to skincare and overall wellness. Seeing the exciting advancements in combination therapies and aesthetic device technology has sparked a new love and passion to her approach to skincare and anti aging.

Michelle cares deeply for her clients and is truly honored to help people look and feel their best through treatments, and pharmaceutical grade products backed by science and education. She is certified in a multitude of medical technology devices such as fractional CO2 laser, Intense Pulse Light (IPL), radio frequency, and body sculpting modalities. Most recently she achieved Master Coolsculpt Technician and Specialist through Coolsculpt University in Austin, Tx.

Michelle is the proud mother of 3 amazing adult children: Alexandra, designer and business owner of Hyde Goods and Design; Braydon, who holds a BS in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations; and her youngest son, Conor, who recently served 6 years in the USAF, and is currently working on his engineering degree.

“I am so blessed in my life and try to give back when and where I can. I find joy in the little things and live my life with kindness and gratitude always in my heart.”

Catherine

Meet Catherine O’Rourke, our Essence Laser & Wellness Front Office Manager, and Marketing Director. More often than not, it is Catherine’s laugh that can be heard down the hall as you enter the building, and her smiling face that will greet you when you walk in the door. She will be your go to person for whatever you need, from creative appointment scheduling to signing into your Alle account to check your rewards and discounts, she is the one.

Catherine received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design, finishing Cum Laude in her class, at Florida Atlantic University. She has fulfilled her passion for designing layouts and marketing materials with a clean and simple design and creates the beautiful promotional works of art sent to you from Essence through email and social media.

After finishing college in Florida, Catherine realized her heart was meant to be in her home town, Denver, Colorado. She continued her education in Colorado, receiving her Masters Certificate from Metropolitan State University at Denver in Brewery Operations, another passion of our girl.

As the daughter of Dr. O’Rourke, Catherine sees Essence not only as a workplace but a family business. She began learning the ropes at the front desk when she was in high school, and continued summers when home from college. Catherine greets each patient that walks into the door as they are her own family, and indeed it won’t take her long to know your name.

Her creativity and design skills has translated into Essence Laser and Wellness’ marketing success by creating seasonal specials, customary emails, and exclusive promotions. She also has created a design brand to each of our unique annual Open Houses.

When Catherine is not at the office, she is at work at her own Graphic Design business, Blue Jaye Designs. http://www.bluejayedesign.com She can create anything from a simple logo design to a complete business brand. She specializes in artwork creating personalized drawings of pets, families, even cars!

Catherine’s warm heart and volunteer work through Vision Health International has taken her to numerous eye projects in Latin America, as well as educational programs in China and Europe. But she also enjoys her time at home doing yoga, baking pies, running, watching baseball, and relaxing with her boyfriend, and rescue dog, Stella, as well as her favorite activity, going to the Denver breweries. Cheers!

Amie

Amie joined the Essence team in June 2021 as Dr. O’Rourke’s assistant. She has been in the skincare and wellness industry since 2003 and is excited to be back in the field after taking time off to stay home with her two young children.

Amie has always loved working in the service industry and after earning her BA in communications, realized she had a passion for skin care and wellness. Embracing this passion, she became a licensed Esthetician in 2003 and a licensed Massage Therapist in 2009.

Amie enjoys adventures with her husband Trevor, their children, Olivia and Cole and dog Seamus. She loves hiking, biking, yoga, pilates, reading and traveling.

Alicia

Alicia has been a part of the Essence team for the past 10 years. Born and raised in Colorado, she received her license in Cosmetology in 1998. Though she has spent the majority of her career behind the chair in hair designing, she has always had an interest in medical esthetics.

From behind the front desk you will find Alicia offering up friendly customer service, help with booking appointments, questions about our services, or getting certified with the rest of the team in the latest training and education, so as to continue to offer you the reliable knowledge that you can count on.

Outside of her time at Essence, Alicia enjoys traveling, dogs, dining out, spending time on the water, and of course her family and friends!