Our Team

With over ten years of experience as a nurse, Cara has built a diverse clinical background that includes Research Nursing in Allergy and Immunology, Family Medicine, Complex Care, Long-Term Care, Palliative Care, and Neurology. As a result, she brings a compassionate and holistic approach to every aspect of patient care.

She has recently begun advocating for Women’s Health, and patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hEDS. She now works collaboratively with Naturopathic Doctors, and Nurse Practitioners to offer integrative, patient-centered care.

Cara is also the proud owner and founder of Thrive Wellness & Aesthetics, where she blends her clinical expertise with her dedication to helping people feel confident, supported, and beautiful. Through her work, she aims to empower clients to thrive — both inside and out.

 Cara’s education began at Georgian College in Barrie, ON, and she has since continued to expand her knowledge through numerous continuing education courses and certifications. Furthermore, she is licensed with the College of Nurses of Ontario and works alongside Nurse Practitioners Jenny St. Jean and Melissa Schuurman, the current Medical Directors. She is also certified by the Canadian Board of Aesthetic Medicine (CBAM) in both Basic and Advanced Injectables.

Melissa Schuurman is a Nurse Practitioner licensed in both Ontario and Michigan. She brings a wealth of experience from fast-paced emergency departments to in-home care settings. Over the years, she has built strong clinical skills in general surgery, pediatric emergencies, and acute care. In 2019, she completed her Master’s degree, further enhancing her ability to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.

At Thrive Wellness & Aesthetics, Melissa oversees IV wellness and iron infusions. She ensures each treatment is safe, effective, and personalized. Moreover, she offers a patient-centered approach to aesthetic care, helping people feel confident both inside and out.

In addition to her role at Thrive, Melissa operates her own virtual clinic, Jekt Wellness. There, she offers one-on-one consultations using a functional medicine approach. This service is ideal for clients who feel unheard or overlooked by the current healthcare system. During a one-hour virtual wellness workup, she reviews your intake form thoroughly and explores your health concerns in detail. If needed, she orders bloodwork or further testing to help identify root causes.

As a result, clients feel supported, heard, and empowered to take control of their health. While these appointments are not covered by OHIP, they provide clarity and a proactive plan for better wellness.

Whether offering IV therapy, aesthetic treatments, or wellness coaching, Melissa blends compassion with clinical expertise to help her clients thrive.

Jenny has always been passionate about skin health and medical aesthetics. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2009, she soon began specializing in skin and wound healing. In 2013, she earned a Master of Clinical Science in Wound Healing, which allowed her to provide consultations and education both interprovincially and internationally.

In 2017, Jenny completed her Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner degree. Additionally, she further expanded her expertise in 2021 by earning her neuromodulator and hyaluronic acid dermal filler certification. Jenny is also committed to continuous learning, regularly attending peer-to-peer training sessions and conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques.

Jenny believes in the “less is more” approach, which helps to prevent overfilling and achieve natural-looking results. Specifically, her favorite aspect of aesthetics is lower face rejuvenation, as it helps to reduce heaviness and sadness.

When she’s not working or studying, Jenny enjoys exploring nature with her children. She also loves dancing and experiencing new cultures.

When she’s not working or studying, Jenny enjoys exploring nature with her children. She also loves dancing and experiencing new cultures.

Melody is a compassionate and client-focused Registered Practical Nurse with over 9 years of nursing experience and more than 20 years supporting individuals and families in healthcare and wellness settings. She brings a calm, empathetic presence to every interaction and is passionate about helping clients feel heard, supported, and confident in their care.

At Thrive Wellness & Aesthetics, Melody is one of the clinic infusion nurses at the Manotick and Kemptville location for iron infusions, wellness injections, and IV vitamin therapy.

Her background includes extensive experience in community nursing, infusion and wound care, and women’s health education—with a special interest in menopause support and holistic wellness. She has led workshops and one-on-one education sessions to help women better understand their health, feel empowered in their care, and achieve sustainable wellness.

Recognized for her professionalism, strong communication skills, and ability to guide clients through health decisions with clarity and compassion, Melody is dedicated to creating a positive and comfortable experience for every client at Thrive.

Tabitha is a key member of the Thrive Admin team and your main point of contact for all things administrative. She supports patients with bookings, incoming calls, treatment questions, invoicing, and general enquiries, helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes.

With extensive experience providing administrative support across a range of companies, Tabitha is a true jack-of-all-trades. She’s highly organised, detail-oriented, and known for her ability to juggle multiple tasks while keeping communication clear and friendly.

Tabitha is the primary contact for iron infusion enquiries and is always happy to assist with questions or guide patients through the booking and treatment process, ensuring a seamless and supportive experience from start to finish.

With a wealth of experience in aesthetics, massage, and social work, Lindy is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of others. She believes in the importance of holistic health, where mind, body, and core are interconnected. Lindy emphasizes the importance of self-care, restorative treatments, effective skincare, and coaching a positive mindset to enhance self-worth.

Recently embracing travel, she enjoys discovering wellness practices from around the world to share with her community. Outside of her professional life, Lindy is a proud mother of four daughters and a loving Nana to eight grandchildren. Family is her cornerstone, and she cherishes time spent with her loved ones, including her Bernese Mountain Dog, Winston.