Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Candice, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Yes—and it came during the darkest and most defining chapter of my life.

In 2021, both of my parents were hospitalized with COVID. At the time, I was vice-chair at the very hospital where they were admitted. I was a physician and their daughter—but none of that mattered in the face of institutional policy. I was escorted out by security—policy over personhood—and it was devastating.

Eventually, thanks to the advocacy of other physicians who knew my heart and my skills, I was allowed back in. I remained at their side through every moment of their hospitalization. My mother ultimately passed from ventilator-associated pneumonia, with me by her bedside. My father was discharged on 6–8L of oxygen—a staggering amount—and I knew, unequivocally, that if he were transferred to a long-term acute care facility, it would be the end of him. I fought to bring him home. And he lived.

Layered on top of that grief was profound marital stress, burnout from working dual clinical roles, and the subtle yet piercing judgment of others. I had long been drawn to aesthetics but resisted out of fear—fear of being seen as less than because I wasn’t a dermatologist. But after walking through that kind of loss, I stopped caring about optics. Her passing cracked me open. I was exhausted, burned out, and heartbroken—but something began to shift.

In that season of loss and disillusionment, I met a version of myself that had nothing left to prove and no one left to perform for. I was walking through life in her footsteps until I could fill my own again. And when I did, I bet on myself—and I bet big.

I started partnering at an aesthetics clinic and discovered a renewed sense of purpose. The work fused medicine, artistry, emotion, and connection. It reminded me of why I became a healer in the first place. I didn’t leave medicine behind—I still step in as a pediatric hospitalist, because I love the patients and the team I serve. But I released the rigidity of full-time inpatient care.

[Skin + Tonic] was born from that transformation. Not just as a med spa, but as a platform for proactive care, regenerative health, and intentional aging. It’s for the women who’ve lost themselves in caregiving, who are ready to reclaim their agency, their radiance, and their voice.

The lesson? Sometimes life will break you open—not to destroy you, but to rebuild you. The version of me that emerged is more grounded, more honest, and more unapologetic. And through [Skin + Tonic], I now help others do the same.

Candice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dr. Candice Fortunato—also known as Dr. Glow Up—a dual-boarded physician in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, founder of [Skin + Tonic] in Henderson, NV, and someone who believes that confidence, healing, and beauty are all connected. I’m a mother of two (plus a beloved corgi), daughter of immigrant parents, and a woman who’s walked through loss, reinvention, and rediscovery with a deeper sense of purpose.

[Skin + Tonic] was born out of that transformation. Our practice blends advanced aesthetics with regenerative medicine and holistic health optimization—for women who are ready to reclaim their energy, radiance, and agency.

We offer a full range of medical aesthetics, including:
• Botox and filler with a natural, undetectable touch—focused on restoration over augmentation
• Cutting-edge skin rejuvenation, including microneedling, red light therapy, and exosome facials
• A niche focus on regenerative therapies using exosomes, PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), and peptides—both topical and systemic—for skin vitality, hair health, and internal optimization
• Curated clinical skincare and longevity support, tailored to your age, lifestyle, and skin goals

We’re also growing our health optimization offerings through our partnership with OptimizeMD, led by my husband, an anesthesiologist turned hormone optimization expert. Together, we’re building a model of care that is proactive, personalized, and rooted in the science of aging well.

But what sets us apart isn’t just our menu—it’s our mission. At [Skin + Tonic], we believe that beauty, wellness, and self-care are not superficial. It’s more than just skin deep. These rituals are how women remember themselves—especially after seasons of stress, caregiving, or starting over.

I’m proud of the trust my patients place in me—not just for visible results, but for the conversations, the healing, and the space we create for women to show up as they are. I’ve walked through my own glow-up, and now I help others do the same—with science, soul, and intention.

If you’re curious about what we do, just know this: you’re not here to shrink or fade. You’re here to radiate. And we’re here to help.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

It’s the courage to redefine success—on your own terms.

For a long time, success looked like academic accolades, publishing papers, climbing leadership ladders, and hitting compensation benchmarks. Those things are valid. They represent discipline, drive, and excellence. But after walking through grief, personal transformation, and building my own practice, I started asking different questions.

What if success is how many people feel seen in your presence?
What if it’s the stories patients share in your treatment chair—their fears, their goals, the little pieces of themselves they hadn’t spoken aloud until that moment?
What if it’s not the title on your badge, but the light you reflect back to others?

For me, success now looks like impact with intention. Not just what I do, but how I do it. Not just what I build, but how I make others feel along the way.

So yes—training matters. But your presence, your discernment, your emotional integrity? That’s what truly elevates this work. That’s how you leave a legacy—not just a resume.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Lead with clarity, consistency, and compassion.
Your team doesn’t need a boss—they need a leader who sees them, hears them, and challenges them to grow without burning out.

At [Skin + Tonic], we talk a lot about energy and intention—not just skill sets. That means setting clear expectations, giving honest feedback, and celebrating even small wins. It also means asking real questions like “How are you doing—really?” and holding space for the answer.

Morale isn’t built in meetings—it’s built in the micro-moments: how you respond under stress, whether you model boundaries and balance, whether you follow through on what you say. I’ve learned that vulnerability and transparency are leadership strengths—not liabilities.

And here’s the truth: people don’t stay for a paycheck. They stay for the mission, the momentum, and the way they feel when they walk through the door. When your team knows you care about them as humans, not just employees, everything changes—from the energy they bring to work to the care they give your clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.skinandtonic702.com
• Instagram: drglowup
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/drglowup/100083656868110/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-fortunato-091346a8
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/skin-tonic-henderson-3

Image Credits

Team photo and headshot: Jessica Rios