Ofelia Nickel Melley, MD
Dr. Ofelia Melley is a board-certified physician located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. She graduated from The Autonomous University of Guadalajara in 1980 and proceeded to complete her internship at George Washington University and a residency in Family Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. She is double board certified in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine. The first part of her career was in traditional medicine practicing as a Family Physician and as an Emergency Medicine Physician. After 22 years of family medicine, emergency medicine and teaching, she founded The Laser Institute of Pinehurst in 2006, quickly becoming busy in aesthetics, laser medicine, and anti-aging.
Dr. Melley lives with her husband of 30+ years and their 2 dogs in Pinehurst NC. They both love to exercise, hike, and travel when they find time in their busy work schedules.
Leading a healthy lifestyle and providing pathways for her patients is the basis of her approach to health and wellness. She has completed certifications in Weight Management and Bio-identical Hormone Therapy, and provides an advanced approach to managing weight and wellness.
Chassidy Young, PA-C
Chassidy is our Physician Assistant. She earned her PA degree from ECU in 2011. After graduation she practiced Family Medicine before beginning her concentration on Aesthetics in 2015.
Chassidy specializes in laser treatments such as hair removal, tattoo removal, and laser skin resurfacing. She is also a specialist in radio-frequency skin tightening, Microneedling, and injectables such as Botox and Dysport.
Chassidy lives in Carthage with her husband, Nick, and their two young children. She also includes 2 dogs and 2 horses in her happy family.
Alicia Renee Deese
Alicia joined The Laser Institute of Pinehurst at its inception in 2006 and has many years of experience in the skin care industry. She has been a respected mentor to many in her profession.
Alicia attended Central Carolina Community College for her Esthetics License and Sandhills Community College for her Instructors License. She is a Skin Care Profession with certifications and advanced training in esthetics, facial and body procedures, skin rejuvenation, and micro-needling, as well as laser, IPL, and radio-frequency.
Alicia has a passion for the skin care industry and stays current on techniques to better herself and to help clients receive the absolute best results.
Alicia was born in Sanford and has resided in Moore County since she married her often referred to "wonderful husband", Chad, in 2004.
The Deese household celebrates "Family Day" every Saturday with 3 wonderful children; Parker, Kayce and Hudson. They come and greet the morning by jumping on their parent's bed and exuberantly announce, "YES, it's Family Day!" Saturdays often includes Granny's Donuts, Cracker Barrel, and going to the lake. Being in Alicia's profession, the family is always mindful to use their sunscreen and protective hats!
The household also includes Ollie who is the cutest toy Pomeranian and weighs in at 3 pounds, 8 ounces. Ollie is outsized by a cat named Buddy.
Amber O'Berry
As a Licensed Cosmetologist at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst, Amber O'Berry has pursued her desire to further educate herself to benefit the needs of clients. Amber has had extensive training in chemical peels, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, full body waxing, lash and brow tinting, and makeup application. Amber completed her certification in Esthetics from Sandhills Community College and her certification in Cosmetology at Paul Mitchell School.
Amber is a Laser Technician trained in “Warm Sculpting” with our SculpSure Laser and is also trained in Radio-Frequency. Fat reduction, body contouring and skin tightening can all be achieved with Amber’s perfected techniques.
It's been a dream come true for Amber to work in the MedSpa industry alongside skilled professionals whose clients have treatments that address their individual skin care needs and leave them feeling refreshed. According to reviews, it's also a dream for many to have treatments by Amber as well - "Amber is awesome!", "Amber provides a wonderful and relaxing facial", "Amber did an awesome job on my facial and eyelash tinting appointment!! I was very pleased with both and had a very relaxing and enjoyable experience."
Living all her life in the Sandhills, Amber is the quintessential Southern belle.
Tina Weathersby
Tina currently serves as our Front Office Administrative employee.
Tina has a BSBA in Marketing from Western Carolina University and obtained an AA in Business from Brevard College. In the past she has worked as a Director of Marketing, Office Manager, and Store Partner. She joined us in January of 2019 after being a stay at home mom and home educator for 13 years.
As a long-time resident of Whispering Pines, Tina is a wife to Chad of 23 years, and mother of two teenage children. She loves spending time with her family, serves actively in her church, and enjoys hiking in the mountains, where she grew up. She also enjoys time at the beach and has a special appreciation for the North Carolina Coast. Remington, a two-year-old black lab is the latest addition to the Weathersby family, and he seems to have stolen all of their hearts.
Candy Baughman
Candy comes to us from Mentor, Ohio with over 15 years of extensive Customer Service and Administrative Assistant, Healthcare office experience. To our front desk staff and clients, she brings to us her professionalism and contagious smile.
She is married, lives in Whispering Pines with her husband and has one daughter. Candy loves living here in the Pinehurst area. Her favorite places to visit are resale shops and our local pottery country. She looks forward to seeing you at your next appointment.
Amy Gaweda, FNP
Amy Gaweda is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who joined our practice in August 2020. She obtained her FNP and Masters of Science degree from Brenau University in Georgia in 1999. With her diverse medical background and multiple years of experience, she focuses in healthy weight loss and functional wellness. She will personalize your weight loss management and help you meet your individualized health goals. She will personalize your weight loss management and help you meet your individualized health goals. Amy is married to her husband of 33 years, has two grown sons, and in her spare time is also a successful artist.
Debby Carter, RN
Debby Carter, RN has been at The Laser Institute of Pinehurst serving Weight Loss and Wellness patients since December 2019. She is passionate about assisting patience to achieve optimal health and wellness. Debby also specializes in laser treatments for skin resurfacing, hair removal, tattoo removal, and microneedling. Because she has been treating aesthetic patients since 2011, she has many years of experience with injectables like Botox, Dysport, Juvederm, and Restalyne.
Debby resides in Southern Pines with her husband. They have horses, dogs, and cats. Debby is a selfless individual and strives to serve others, therefore, you might also find her volunteering at her church on a regular basis.
Jordan Smith-Balfour
Jordan has been with The Laser Institute of Pinehurst since June 2020. As a Front Desk Office Assistant, Jordan may be one of the first faces you see when you visit. She’ll greet you at the door with her warm and welcoming personality. She is an accomplished make-up artist and is an expert at shaping brows. Jordan is a Moore County native. She obtained her AA in Cosmetology from Sandhills Community College in 2016. She is married to Glenn and has a daughter (and a son on the way!!!). Jordan has a soft heart for animals and is a pet mom to two rescue animals.
While she loves anything beauty, she is also an adrenaline junky. She loves wake boarding, riding her dirt bike, and skiing. Her hidden talent is singing.
Jordan loves people, and she enjoys making people feel beautiful!
Hannah Bullen
Hannah is one of the youngest and brightest of our fantastic team. She graduated with honors from Sandhills Community College in May 2020 with an Associates Degree in Business. Her fresh ideas and familiarity with various social media and internet marketing strategies have been an asset to our staff. As a Patient Care Coordinator, she makes appointments, checks patients in and out, takes photos, maintains our Facebook page, responds to inquiries, and so much more.Hannah resides in Carthage where she grew up with three brothers. She loves to play tennis, paint pottery, spend time with friends, and hang out with her two nieces and two nephews. Hannah also serves as a worship music leader at her church. She has a passion for people and has brought that enthusiasm to The Laser Institute of Pinehurst.
