About Our School

CEO, School Director, State Agent & Owner

Kelsie Dunham

Kelsie is a veteran in the esthetics industry with 20 years of experience. She specializes in Business Operations, team building, and product education. Her work experience includes re-education and turnarounds of individual clinics as well as overall management of as many as 14 clinics over a multi-state region. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University where she majored in Liberal Arts and minored in music performance. In addition to her business acumen, she is also a certified yoga instructor, and is classically trained in concert piano and voice.

What greatly motivates Kelsie is to be a positive force in peoples’ lives, be it through business or personally-motivated. She prides herself in her ability to lead people along the path towards achieving their best life!

Advanced & Core Instructor/Product Formulator/Advanced Aesthetician

Ansley Reese

Ansley has been a licensed esthetician since 2009 and is the proud owner and founder of Ansley Marie’s Skincare, a product line created in collaboration with a local natural chemist. Every product is thoughtfully crafted using local, high-quality ingredients that are natural, organic, and free of toxic additives. Ansley is passionate about providing safe, botanical-based skincare that promotes healthy, radiant skin.

In addition to her esthetics expertise, Ansley is a Naturopathic Practitioner, dedicated to educating clients about achieving clean, glowing skin from within. She believes in a holistic approach to skincare, combining science, nature, and wellness to achieve lasting results.

Beyond her work with clients, Ansley’s true passion lies in education. She loves mentoring future Estheticians and guiding them on their journey to success in the beauty industry. With a heart for teaching and a commitment to excellence, Ansley strives to inspire her students to reach their full potential.

When she’s not creating skincare magic or teaching, Ansley enjoys connecting with her community and finding inspiration in the beauty of nature.

Student Services & Admissions/Advanced Aesthetician

Krisly Garcia

Krisly works in the Admissions and Student Services department at VKMD and is a proud graduate of the school’s very first graduating class. With a background in customer service and experience working in medical settings, she is passionate about helping students feel supported, confident, and excited as they begin their journey in aesthetics.

Having once been a student, Krisly understands the importance of guidance, encouragement, and connection. She loves building relationships with students and takes pride in helping them navigate their education while working toward their personal and professional goals.

Advanced & Core Instructor/Advanced Aesthetician

Kara Stewart

Kara is a licensed esthetician with over four years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion not only for helping clients achieve their skincare goals but also for educating and inspiring others.

Teaching allows Kara to share her knowledge, build confidence in future beauty professionals, and contribute to the growth of the industry she loves. Kara is dedicated to continuous learning and empowering others through hands-on education and mentorship.

Advanced & Core Instructor/Advanced Aesthetician

Cassie Bishop

Cassie is a licensed esthetician with 10 years of experience helping clients achieve healthy, confident skin and teaching future skincare professionals how to do the same. For the past 8 years, she has shared her expertise as an esthetics educator, combining industry knowledge, hands-on training, and a passion for helping students succeed.

Known for her approachable teaching style and commitment to excellence, Cassie has guided countless aspiring estheticians through the science, art, and occasional drama of the beauty industry. She believes that great skincare starts with education, consistency, and, of course, remembering to wear sunscreen.

When she’s not in the classroom or discussing ingredients that sound more like chemistry experiments than skincare products, Cassie enjoys staying current with industry trends, mentoring students, and helping others feel confident in their own skin. Her mission is simple: elevate the esthetics profession one facial, one lesson, and one SPF reminder at a time.

Teacher's Assistant & Floor Moderator/Advanced Aesthetician

Macy Reams

As a proud VKMD alumna, Macy is passionate about skincare ingredients and helping clients develop confidence and appreciation for their own skin. Macy’s greatest passion within the industry is facial treatments, with dermaplaning being her favorite service to perform. With four years of experience managing and working in the spa industry, she enjoys mentoring and guiding those interested in pursuing a career in a day spa setting.

Macy strongly believes in providing students with a supportive foundation while adapting to each individual’s unique learning needs. Recognizing that everyone learns differently, she values the importance of personalized education and strives to create an environment that fosters growth and confidence. Macy is excited to help shape future professionals, build the confidence needed to succeed, and support students as they prepare to pass their boards and obtain licensure.

Why Choose VKMD?

At VKMD Institute of Medical Aesthetics, we don’t just teach — we elevate. As a 2024 Best of the Springs award winner, we are proud to offer exceptional education led by highly qualified professionals in a supportive, hands-on learning environment. From small class sizes and advanced training to real-world preparation and career-focused mentorship, everything we do is designed to help you succeed in today’s competitive esthetics industry.

Our school offers small class sizes for more intimate instruction and higher-quality teacher-to-student guidance and interactions.
Frequent special guest speakers and practitioners on various topics that relate to our industry that will give more in-depth insight, knowledge, networking opportunities, educational materials, etc.
Topics of special guests include but not limited to: skincare brands, service and treatment protocols, tips and tricks of the trade, branding and Image, social media marketing and branding, community service, product knowledge and formulation of key ingredients, advanced treatments and protocols, hands-on practice, consultative skills, daily business operations, how to create customized client treatment plans, record-keeping, retail sales skills and the art of sales, business-building skills, liability insurance, plus so much more.
Medical Spa field trips, facility field trips, internship opportunities, shadowing, and exposure to how the industry operates “behind the scenes”, gaining experience during your schooling so that you are more marketable for hire upon graduation, deeper insight to further knowledge and skills.
Going beyond the basics of theory and practical by learning how to successfully integrate all topics in relation to what potential employers are looking for and how to succeed in this industry altogether.
Post-graduation teacher’s aide and student mentor opportunities with the school.
Additional educational materials and learning tools for deeper dives into topics such as acne with our Face Reality Program, training videos for deeper knowledge, etc.
Baby boards, our “bootcamp” preparation for all students prior to graduation to ensure 100% passing rate.
Opportunities to return to our school while waiting to take state board exams to keep busy and knowledge, practical skills current and continuous practice in skills.
Owned and operated by a medical doctor who is proficient in aesthetics and cosmetic procedures, who will also be a special guest speaker on various topics; along with his wife and business partner who will also serve as a guest speaker on various topics.
Learning how to operate and run the front desk, do reception work, upsell, schedule, and create profiles for clients, etc.
Assistance with employment placement (but not guaranteed) upon graduation.
Manual exfoliation and chemical peels advanced courses included with the 600 Hours General Esthetics program, to be taken after successful passing of state board exams.
We are the only esthetics-focused school in Colorado Springs with the full spectrum of start-to-finish DPOS and Colorado state-approved general and advanced courses.
We are the only esthetics school with the unique full-spectrum medical spa facility attached with the program, and included built-in internship in Colorado.
Privately owned and operated by highly experienced medical aesthetics industry leaders with the necessary skills and business acumen to ensure all appropriate implementation of operations.
All our programs and advanced courses are DPOS and Colorado state approved/certified.

VKMD Institute is the first and original esthetics-only occupational school in Colorado Springs, and still remains the leading premiere entity for superior esthetics education as we enter our third successful year in business.
Topics of special guests include but not limited to: skincare brands, service and treatment protocols, tips and tricks of the trade, branding and Image, social media marketing and branding, community service, product knowledge and formulation of key ingredients, advanced treatments and protocols, hands-on practice, consultative skills, daily business operations, how to create customized client treatment plans, record-keeping, retail sales skills and the art of sales, business-building skills, liability insurance, plus so much more.
We are the only esthetics-focused school in Colorado Springs with the full spectrum of start-to-finish DPOS and Colorado state-approved general and advanced courses.
100% hands-on instructor-guided programs from start-to-finish.
Full time and part time class schedule available to accommodate any circumstance, with flexible payment plans to boot.
Our comprehensive extensive esthetic programs go far beyond the basics of general esthetics, so our students may gain deeper knowledge and expertise than what traditional beauty schools are able to offer.
We are known for our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of excellence for our students so they may receive the highest quality education and overall experience within our facilities.
Our unique direct medical spa connection with the school provides advanced learning and a more immersive educational experience.
Our staff and instructors carry years of experience within the industry as masters of their craft as advanced aestheticians, product formulators, instructors and mentors, business owners, and experts within the medical aesthetics community across the country.
Our 600 hours general esthetics program includes the 3 necessary advanced courses of microexfoliation and chemical peels to jumpstart your career immediately upon graduation.
Our entire program is dedicated to producing the most well-rounded and experienced graduates in Colorado, as we provide a real-world hands-on learning environment from the very beginning.
Our graduates will be ready for hire upon completion of the entire program as we incorporate daily operational business skills into our program with heavy emphasis.

600 Hour Program cost: $13,499, which includes additional advanced courses of microdermabrasion, dermaplane, and chemical peels ($1850 value) to be completed upon the successful passing of state boards.
Payment options: The best option is to go to any local bank or credit union (it is always best to start with your own banking institution) and meet with a loan officer to see what your options are to take out a private personal student loan. There are a variety of options available that will offer various products, dependent upon your own credit. It is ideal to pay your tuition in full to avoid additional processing fees, so obtaining a private personal student loan is our first recommendation. Another option is to pay your tuition in monthly installments (see our website for the breakdown), which is available if you are unable to procure a loan from a banking or credit union institution.
Full time hours are Monday-Thursday from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM with a 30-minute lunchbreak. Part time hours are Monday-Thursday from 5-9 PM. The first Saturday of each month from 9 AM-3PM is mandatory as well for both full time and part time students. It is possible to “fast-track” yourself and attend class both day and night during MOD 2 if you wish if you let the instructors and Director of Education know.
VKMD offers more than just the basics of general esthetics as our goal is to prepare you for real-world experience in the aesthetics industry from your very first day of school. This means that we will not only be teaching you the minimum topics required by the state, but we will also mentor you in day-to-day reception operations and duties, consultative skills, treatment planning, hands-on practical training with real people as your subjects as opposed to mostly Daria doll, and much more. We also provide our sister company medical spa Springs Body Sculpting & Aesthetics as a learning source where students come in, to shadow and experience what it is like to work “behind the scenes” in the medical spa portion of the industry. Instead of charging our students more money to pay for stand-alone courses on subjects such as advanced waxing (like Brazilian, bikini, etc.), lash lift & tint, and brow lamination, we teach those subjects right along with the others in our general 600-hour course. Our students also receive extra perks like discounts at our med spa services and retail, free school services and treatments, networking with the many contacts of our highly experienced staff at both businesses, and more.
VKMD is a DPOS-certified and approved educational facility, through the state of Colorado. We have all the necessary qualifications to teach and provide all instruction for students to become state-certified estheticians. We are privately-owned and do not accept FAFSA, however, there are many private loan options available from local credit unions and banking institutions to fund your education.
VKMD is an Esthetics-only focused school with a strong emphasis on daily hands-on practical training on real people, a real work environment of daily operations, and thorough training of reception duties for better on-site and in-school training to add to your resume. We strongly believe in setting our students up for success beyond just getting them to pass their state board exams. We produce estheticians who are fully prepared to successfully integrate into any facility where they may be working upon graduation from our program. This means that we train them on all aspects of becoming a successful esthetician with practical, theoretical, and the fundamental daily operational skills for business development.
Our program provides all the necessary tools, products, and supplies to practice esthetics at our school daily. Students will never be expected to purchase their own learning materials or supplies outside of course tuition monies.