Rejuvenation, Inclusive Care are Top Goals of New Surgeon
Dr. Kaete Archer has known — forever —that she would be a doctor… Would be.
“There was never an aha! moment when I thought, ‘I want to be a doctor,’” she said. Instead, this feeling has been part of her being since as far back as she can remember, likening it to DNA. She’s confident, and comfortable. She radiates warmth and smiles often. Perhaps it’s because she’s never questioned her calling — the one that she’s been working on for the past 14 years. College. Med School. 5-year residency. 1-year Fellowship.
Long nights. Studying all the time. Practicing. More practicing.
It’s in the blood.
Born in Canada to parents in the medical profession, Dr. Archer’s father was an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and mother was a Registered Nurse. The family moved from Winnipeg to the rural surroundings of an Arkansas suburb when Kaete was a young girl.
“My older brother is a Family Physician and my sister, well, she didn’t follow the tract — she’s a chef. But she’s in research and development, so it’s sort of clinical,” she says with a laugh.
Dr. Archer moved to Melbourne in July, after completing a prestigious fellowship at the Meriden Plastic Surgery Center in Indianapolis under Dr. Stephen Perkins, a Facial Plastic Surgeon and Past President for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
The opportunity to work under Dr. Perkins is given annually to one fellow and enables them to learn and perform the newest, most cutting-edge treatments and surgical procedures.
At the same time, Dr. Archer was working as an attending physician at a Level 1 trauma center. And the combination of both experiences has helped her understand how to relate better to the patients she now serves at the offices of Dr. Michael Diaz on US Highway 1 in Melbourne.
Her base medical degree is in Otolaryngology, with focus on the ear, nose and throat. And though this is typically the tract of Facial Plastic Surgeons, it positions Dr. Archer with keen understanding of the inner structure and workings of the face, neck and nose.
“My goal is to put patients at ease and eradicate some of the misconceptions about plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. It’s ok to want to look – and feel – your best,” she said.
All of her patients share a common goal: to positively alter their appearance.
Some come for a nip/tuck to stall or turn back the aging process. Others come because a disease or congenital condition requires the precise hand and expert knowledge her training and extensive experience has provided.
Comprehensive care for each patient is the ultimate goal, she explained, whether for a functional rhinoplasty (a nose job) or correcting a facial defect from invasive cancer surgery.
Though Dr. Archer speaks with passion and clarity, her approach is cool and calm…this is not a hard sell.
“We want to help our patients access the best components of restorative care, including supplements and vitamins, regular skin checks, esthetician care, skin care, and more, in addition to whatever surgical or corrective procedures we may need to perform.”