Christina AA

Administrative Assistant

Christina is our administrative assistant, surgical scheduler and insurance and billing expert and also oversees our medical records. She is a delight to work with and has been with Dr. Buenaventura over 20 years.  She will help you book your consultation for surgery, laser, cosmetic injections or Coolsculpting Elite.  Christina will also assist you with finances, arrange your pre operative and post operative appointments, and schedule surgeries in The Sendi Surgery Center or at Inova Alexandria Hospital.  Christina has a wealth of experience and is ready to answer your questions.  Christina keeps our office running smoothly every day!  She is waiting for your call!

Carina AA

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

Carina is our administrative assistant and surgical scheduler and is the welcoming voice you hear when you call.  She will help make your consultation appointments for surgery, laser, injections, or Coolsculpting Elite.  Carina will book your surgery here at The Sendi Surgical Center or at Inova Alexandria Hospital.  She handles medical records and daily bookkeeping. Carina acts as a liason with the nurses and Dr Buenaventura.  She will ensure your experience with us is a positive one.  Carina has been with us for seven years and we can't imagine running the office without her.  She also creates the lovely seasonal decor in our office.  Carina is waiting for your call!

Patty Carr, RN

Director of the Operating Room.

Patty is a registered nurse and the Director of the Operating Room.  She has worked with us for over 20 years and trained as an Operating Room Fellow at Fairfax Hospital. Patty prepares the Operating room on the day of surgery and assists during surgery as a scrub nurse and surgical assistant.  She processes the sterile instruments, oversees the surgical caseloads and coordinates chart review with our accreditation partner, QuadA.  Patty will also see you postoperatively and perform dressing changes.  She also assists with laser procedures, Broad Band Light therapy, aesthetic injections, minor surgical procedures, and Coolsculpting Elite treatments.  Patty is a dedicated and conscientious nurse, and her positive energy enriches our office.  She also shares her baking talents with us often!

Kathy ​Fialk, RN

Director of Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit

Kathy is our PACU (Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit) nurse and has a wealth of experience in hospital nursing and nursing education.  She is a member of the operating room team and will be in charge of your care in the recovery room after surgery.  Kathy will discuss post operative care instructions with your caretaker and arrange your post operative appointments.  In addition, she sees consultations before surgery, and assists with Laser and BBL light therapy procedures.  She performs Coolsculpting Elite treatments and is head of materials management, working closely with our suppliers.  She has worked with us for over 15 years and is a talented and dedicated nurse.  Kathy treats everyone around her as if they are family, and we are so lucky to have such a compassionate member of our team.  She is also responsible for the delicious baked goods that appear in the break room every week.  She is a compassionate and caring nurse.

Joan Kisska, RN

Director of Perioperative Services

Joan is a registered nurse who specializes in surgery and has a wealth of experience in Plastic surgery.  She is the Director of Perioperative Service and an Operating Room Nurse.  Joan is a dedicated Plastic Surgery nurse and cares for our surgical patients from the moment they check in for surgery, working closely with the Anesthesiologist to prepare you for surgery and works as the circulating nurse or the scrub nurse.  Joan also oversees our Quality Assurance.  She has worked with Dr. Buenaventura for over 25 years and is dedicated to the operating room and making it run smoothly.  She also assists with consultations, injections, minor surgical procedures, post operative dressing changes and Coolsculpting Elite and lasers.  We are grateful to have her expertise and passion for surgical nursing as part of our team!  

Karina RN

Registered Nurse

​​Karina is a registered nurse and joined our experienced nursing team this year.  She comes to us from Inova Fairfax Hospital where she has several years of experience specializing in pulmonary care and working with Cystic Fibrosis patients.  She is an excellent addition to our team and graduated with a BS in kinesiology from Virginia Commonwealth University followed by her Registered Nurse degree from Marymount University.  Karina performs microdermabrasion and assists with laser procedures, cosmetic injections, minor procedures and is a certified Coolsculpting Elite technician.  She is also part of our Operating Room team. She is a caring and compassionate nurse and we are delighted she has joined our team!