A BEAUTIFUL SECOND ACT
If you live on the Eastern Shore, chances are you know Mary Dunlap Wells, MD, FACOG, and Dusty Franklin Smith MD, FACS. Filled with a passion for anatomy, these beloved practitioners and longtime friends are just getting started. This vivacious duo is following their second-act calling to help women and men on the outside, too. Proving life is far from over as middle-age approaches, their new Fairhope practice, MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay, delivers age-defying results while confirming that if you do indeed build it, they will come. In their case, they’re coming in droves.
By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Murray, StevyePhotography.com Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, CocoKat1978@gmail.com Hair Felisha Allen, Identity Salon, 251.478.2409
Drs. Dusty Smith, & Mary Wells
With their children mostly grown and approaching the 50-year mark, the almost inseparable doctors met in 2012 as neighbors in Daphne. With so much in common, from a love of pretty pastels and feminine silhouettes to self-care and travel, they’re also bonded by their passion for healthcare. A natural move, the in-demand surgeons joined forces to provide real solutions to help those on the aging front. Dedicated to treating people in all stages of the life, the good doctors share their excitement for their new business and how they’re managing it all.
Curious as to how they met, Dr. Smith explains, “We’ve laughed about it, but it started with our children, who began playing together after we moved to the neighborhood. Eventually, my family and I were invited on a group vacation and we ended up eating leftovers with Mary and her family. We quickly realized we had a lot in common and truly enjoyed each other's company. Now a big part of each other’s lives, I’m blessed to call her one of my best friends.”
Nodding and smiling, Dr. Wells adds, “Both working doctor moms, we’ve naturally gravitated toward each other since we understand the struggles of trying to balance home and work life. I’m lucky to call her one of my best friends and it’s easy being business partners. We get things done because we’re so used to making decisions on the go as fellow surgeons!”
Fearless and with energy to spare, the doctors didn’t miss a beat when it came to maximizing the pandemic. “We’d discussed a mutual interest in injecting neurotoxins for several years, so we decided to get certified during the quarantine. We started with virtual courses and local models and practiced for almost a year on ourselves, friends, and family,” Dr. Wells explains.
Hooked on aesthetics, they amped up their training once things began to reopen. “We went to Tennessee and Florida for master courses and in 2021, we started aesthetic service events at Fairhope Gynecology & Obstetrics (FGO) in the evenings. Our clientele kept growing, so decided to open our med spa since we wanted to offer even more treatments. We were serious and securing top-trained aestheticians really solidified our team and mission. They’re providing incredible treatments like Diamond Glow Facials, Candela laser hair removal, photo rejuvenation, Skin Pen Micro-needling and so much more,“ Dr. Smith beams.
Elaborating on what first led them to the aesthetic industry, Dr. Wells tells us, “I’ve always loved skin care. Turning 50 this year and feeling we get one chance at life and that aging is a natural part of it, I knew it was time to make my aesthetic practice dream come true. I’m thankful to get older, but want to do it gracefully and help other women along the way, too. I deeply believe in the science behind the products and procedures we offer.”
For Dr. Smith, it was all about the challenge. “I’ve been a surgeon for 15 years and I’ve always loved learning new techniques and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Starting a business from the ground up was something I’ve always wanted to do but I wasn’t sure how that fit into my career plans. As I’ve have gotten older and started to focus on taking care of myself and dealing with the challenges we all eventually face, my interest in aesthetics grew, making this a perfect fit.”
With no plans of stopping, we wonder how they’ll juggle both their in-demand aesthetic practice and their other commitments. Confirming this has been a relatively easy transition because their children are now more self-sufficient, Dr. Smith shares, “Finding balance is an ongoing challenge for us all, but I’m at my best when busy and doing what I love. It gives me fulfillment to help others feel better with a surgical solution or by guiding them through the aging process.”
Located in the coveted 106 Flats in downtown Fairhope, their new space is stunning and dripping in delicious feminine touches that spark joy and the desire to have what they’re having. Boasting multiple treatment rooms and a chic waiting area, the color scheme of intense pastels comes together perfectly with the custom art commissioned by the doctors from local artists like Chasen Lipscomb and Emily Stiles. It makes us feel like we blinked and landed in a modern version of the famed bottle in classic hit TV show I Dream of Jeannie.
As for the design details, Dr. Wells shares, “Dusty and I took inspiration from our favorite med spas around the country and Fairhope architect Jim Clarke took it from there once we found the location. We truly love our new space and our wonderful staff makes it even more welcoming.” Chiming in, Dr. Smith adds, “Knowing we wanted it to be soft and comfortable, we’re beyond thrilled with the results and absolutely love sharing it with our patients! “
Understanding not all med spa services are created equal, Dr. Wells says, “While receiving treatments, our patients will know they’re in trained and trusted hands and will get the expected results. All of our treatments have been thoroughly researched and are only available to MDs or DOs.” Diving deeper, Dr. Smith, who believes great skincare products are vital to aging well, adds, “We carry only medical-grade products like SkinMedica, SkinCeuticals, Skin Better, and ZO Skin Health. We have state-of-the-art laser treatments and have recently purchased the new multifunctional InMode platforms, Optimas and Evolve X. Our Diamond Glow medical facial is the absolute best! Mary and I perform all the neurotoxin injections, Botox and Dysport, as well as injectable fillers Juvéderm and Restylane, including Sculptra, which stimulates natural collagen growth.”
With three children each, it’s easy to see the doctors do indeed have a lot in common. Dr. Wells is married to Dr. Dylan Wells, also practicing at FGO, and they’ve happily called the Eastern Shore home since 2005 with their three children: Drew, 17, Amelia, 14, and Wesley, 11. Originally from Tennessee, she went to medical school after earning a master’s in neuroscience. “My father was a pediatrician and I always tagged along during his rounds and worked summers in his office. Inspired by his practice and patient relationships, I decided medicine was my true calling. As a gynecologic surgeon, I get to see patients of all ages, deliver babies, and operate on women, which allows me to fix problems. This has extended into applying my training and knowledge to helping people age on their own terms.”
From left to right: Ciara Saunders, Patient Coordinator; Jody Harris, Head Aesthetician; Avery Friedman, Aesthetician; Tracy Ong, Office Manager. *Not Shown Chasen Lipscomb, Aesthetician
Married to Craig with three daughters: Misty Kate, 15, Ansleigh, 11, and Hollins, 8, Dr. Smith was born and raised in Bay Minette. Calling Daphne home for the last 10 years, she tell us, “I chose to stay close to home to attend the University of South Alabama. With a degree in biomedical science, I continued to the school of medicine, completed my general surgical residency and even served as Chief Resident in my last year.”
Growing up, Dr. Smith never understood why anyone would choose such a long, hard career path, but a devastating event would change that. “I had plans to attend Auburn, but my younger sister was in a car accident. My family and I spent three unbearable days at USA Medical Center before she passed. Devastated and unsure how to move forward, I felt I needed to stay with my family. During that time, God put so many people in my life that directed me toward the medical field. With hopes of making a difference, I redirected my career plans and two weeks into my surgical rotation, I knew I made the right decision. To this day, I still love that I get to help others and make their life a little better.”
Clearly committed to all facets of healthcare, the doctors will continue their work at FGO and Surgical Association of Mobile. “I have no plans of retiring from OB/GYN any time soon! I love how both practices overlap. Knowing both medicine and anatomy has allowed me to fill a creative need I’ve been missing; I can help patients look and feel better about their body changes that occur with age,” Dr. Wells tells us. In agreement, Dr. Smith adds, “I love that I can continue my surgical practice and I’m also super excited about our new adventure. Since we’re both versed in procedure-based specialties, it’s natural for us to continue our mastery of anatomy. Plus, this has been so much fun!”
Skilled, caring and passionate about women and aging, what’s not to love? At their recent grand opening, the lines forming out the front door prove that aging is more than skin deep. It’s about establishing a relationship with a trusted team that delivers customized advice, options, and results. And if you happen to adore that team? All the better. Now, if we could just bottle that second-act moxie Dr. Wells and Dr. Smith have in spades, we’re quite sure there would be no stopping any of us.
MD Aesthetics of Mobile Bay | 106 N. Bancroft Street, Fairhope | 251.281.8776
