Her Story
About Dana
Dana McElfish, LME, MA-R, MA-P, is a Lead Master Esthetician and Medical Assistant at Custom MD in Liberty Lake, Washington. She specializes in medical aesthetics, advanced skincare, and patient support, combining clinical techniques with a personalized approach to skin health and rejuvenation. Her services include facials, HydraFacial treatments, microneedling, radiofrequency treatments, chemical peels, dermaplaning, manual lymphatic drainage, and body-contouring procedures. In addition to her aesthetic responsibilities, she supports clinical operations through medical assisting, phlebotomy, patient education, medical record management, scheduling, and other administrative duties. She was promoted to Lead Master Esthetician at Custom MD in January 2026 after completing her master esthetics training and gaining hands-on clinical experience.
McElfish completed her Master Esthetics program at Bella Rosa Skin Academy in December 2025 and has pursued additional advanced training through Concepts Institute of Advanced Esthetics. Her reported qualifications include licensure as a Master Esthetician, registration as a Medical Assistant, medical assistant phlebotomy credentials, I.V. certification, and more than 12 advanced aesthetic certifications. She takes a personalized approach to skincare, focusing on concerns such as aging, uneven skin tone, texture, and overall skin health. Before transitioning into medical aesthetics, she worked in retail management and customer service and was a partner and administrative assistant at DMM² Design, where her responsibilities included accounting, project management, vendor coordination, and client support. She also took a career break to care for her grandmother and children before pursuing her current professional path.
McElfish attributes her success to hard work, passion, and genuine care for the people she serves. Her professional philosophy emphasizes maintaining a strong work ethic, acting according to her morals, and providing patients with thoughtful, individualized care rather than treating interactions as purely transactional. She was nominated for the Global Integral Beauty Experts Award and continues to develop her expertise in the competitive medical aesthetics industry. Outside work, she enjoys gardening, cooking, crocheting, painting, drawing, and playing video games. She also supports the Humane Society and has served as a host family for Japanese exchange students for approximately a decade, reflecting her commitment to caring for others both professionally and personally.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, passion, and genuinely caring about the people I work with and serve. I am committed to providing my patients with the best possible care and making sure they feel supported throughout their experience. I approach my work with dedication and a desire to make a positive difference in people's lives.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to always follow my heart and stay true to my morals. I believe it is important to make decisions that align with my values and principles, even when faced with difficult choices.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is that if you have the drive and ability to succeed, work as hard as you can and pursue your goals wholeheartedly. Take advantage of opportunities to learn, develop your skills, and grow professionally. Dedication and a willingness to put in the effort can help you build a successful career in this industry.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the medical aesthetics industry is attracting new clients. It is a highly competitive field, so establishing a strong reputation and building lasting relationships with patients are important. Providing personalized treatments, maintaining high standards of care, and helping clients feel valued can help distinguish a practice and encourage long-term client relationships.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are a strong work ethic, integrity, and doing what is right for the people I serve. I believe that patients should be treated with care and respect rather than viewed simply as transactions. I strive to provide thoughtful, personalized care and to make decisions based on what is best for the people who place their trust in me.
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