Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS.
Hi Dr. Kelly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a very young girl growing up in Northern Virginia, Dr. Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS was attacked by a neighbor’s sheep dog. She was treated by a Plastic Surgeon whose skill and compassion restored her face and spirit, and set her on the road to becoming the outstanding physician and surgeon that she is today.
“I never had any doubt that I would become a doctor,” said Dr. Sullivan, “the only question was what specialty I would select.” Kelly moved to Boston, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and then a Doctor of Medicine from Harvard Medical School. Having decided on a career in surgery, Dr. Sullivan selected Emory University for her general surgery residency because of its excellent reputation for training technically skilled surgeons with experience in trauma and the hands-on approach to learning. She then elected to continue at Emory University for her plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship because of its excellent reputation for developing advanced breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery techniques, and because of the long list of distinguished and world-renowned alumni, mentors, and leaders in plastic surgery that hail from Emory.
“Plastic and reconstructive surgery is perhaps the most challenging – and interesting – area of medical practice,” Dr. Sullivan remarked. “Every situation is different as is the specific result you are striving to attain. Each case is really a design and engineering problem, and my education and experience give me a unique ability to solve it quickly and effectively.”
Upon completion of their surgical training in 2003, Dr. Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS, and her husband, Dr. Justin Cashman, moved to Annapolis, recognizing that its combination of state-of-the-art medical facilities and small-town warmth made it a perfect place to build her practice and raise their family. They reside in Annapolis with their three children and continue a family tradition of active community service, having served as members of the Annapolis Rotary Club and assisting other organizations around Anne Arundel County in supporting the underserved and those in need.
Dr. Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS has been Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery continuously since 2004, and she is also a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons – an honor and distinction shared by only a select number of plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
Dr. Sullivan’s training, certifications, and skills are not the only characteristics that set her apart from the norm. From her very first patient a decade ago, she has devoted herself to understanding all aspects of the persons who are seeking her help, finding out what they need and want, and then applying her own skill and compassion to assure the best possible result.
Recognizing that many of her breast cancer patients had to deal with their disease while also caring for young children, Dr. Sullivan, with the generous help of the Annapolis Rotary Club, founded Wellness House of Annapolis – a non-profit that provides strength and support to those living with cancer through programs offered free of charge in a club house environment (www.annapoliswellnesshouse.com) – an organization for which she continues to serve as Director and Chairman.
Dr. Sullivan has received many professional and personal awards and recognition for her work both in her office, at the hospital, and in her community. She has been selected as “What’s Up Top Doc” many years running, has been named one of the “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by the Daily Record, and has received a multitude of awards for her work in community service, including: CASA Caring Heart Award, the Kevin E. Reichardt Leadership Award, and the Benjamin Rush Toland Award.
In the 23 years since incorporating, Sullivan Surgery & Spa has grown to a three-location, surgical practice and full-service medical spa that employs twenty talented and professional women from the Annapolis and Baltimore area. Dr. Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS is the founder and CEO of Surgery Center of Annapolis, LLC – a AAAASF and Medicare Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center in Annapolis that has been in business since 2012 and is where she performs most of her surgical procedures.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many struggles along the way, starting with the challenge of obtaining my initial business loan in 2003 when I came to Annapolis with no collateral and over $250,000 in medical school loans. Fortunately, John Suit (from what was Farmer’s Bank in Annapolis at the time) believed in me and my business plan and provided my initial bank loan so I could open my practice. Along the way there have been challenges of balancing work life and being an active participant in the lives of my husband and three children. We have also faced financial challenges during growth phases of the practice when I would sometimes work without a paycheck so I could pay my staff and keep the practice running and growing. Covid was a huge struggle when we were mandated to close the office and surgery center completely and were unable to do any work for almost four months. I essentially lost everything overnight, and I felt responsible for protecting my employees and figuring out how to get them paid, while I then had to basically start over and rebuild the practice. I don’t think there is ever a “smooth road” for entrepreneurs – I think the road is full of hills, valleys, road-blocks, etc…and there is no reward without risk. I think the key has been to have a good plan and vision, and then surround yourself with a great team that also believes in the vision. And when things don’t work out as planned or hoped, being able to stay positive, learn from the experience, and move forward.
We’ve been impressed with Sullivan Surgery & Spa, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
For over 20 years, Dr. Kelly Sullivan and the team at Sullivan Surgery & Spa have been Annapolis Maryland’s foremost plastic surgery clinic and medspa destination. Our surgical facial rejuvenation, breast and body contouring, and reconstruction surgeries are performed by board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kelly Sullivan, who has earned a sterling reputation for excellence in helping her patients achieve the results that they deserve. Dr. Sullivan has a rare combination of knowledge, technical skill, compassion and commitment to excellence that results in a world-class physician.
With three medical spa locations in Annapolis and Easton, Sullivan Surgery & Spa is a leader in providing expert non-surgical rejuvenation for the face and body. In our beautifully appointed medspa locations, we offer a full range of facials and chemical peels, along with popular treatments such as Dysport and Botox® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, microneedling, body contouring, and laser and light based skin rejuvenation. As Maryland’s only SkinCeuticals Advanced Clinical Spa, we offer the full line of SkinCeuticals advanced skincare and treatments to restore and elevate skin texture. You’ll leave our medspa feeling more refreshed and confident than ever before.
We are most proud of offering quality, professional, safe care to all our patients who are seeking help with something that bothers them. We listen to our patients and educate them on treatments that can address their concerns without pushing them into treatments or surgeries they don’t want or need.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love everything about Annapolis!! I love the diversity of cultures and experiences we have in Baltimore, and I love the sense of pride that Baltimore people have for our sports teams and location on the Chesapeake Bay. And I absolutely love being able to be on and around the water! I general, I don’t love big cities (traffic, noise, etc…) and am more of a smaller town girl, but I enjoy the opportunities for shows, sporting events, quality healthcare, etc… that we have in the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sullivansurgery.com
- Instagram: sullivansurgeryandspa
- Facebook: Sullivan Surgery & Spa
