A Look Back at 2025: Milestones, Growth, and Gratitude
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a meaningful moment to reflect on a year defined by growth, collaboration, and continued commitment to thoughtful, patient-centered care at San Francisco Plastic Surgery. From exciting SFPS Team updates to national recognition of Dr. Karen Horton, the past year brought milestones worth celebrating—and set the stage for what’s ahead in 2026.
10. Farewell to Nurse Emily & Welcome Nurse Rebecca
This year marked a heartfelt transition within the practice. The team said goodbye to Nurse Emily McCarthy as she embarked on the next chapter of her career—beginning Nurse Practitioner training and moving home to be close to her family. Emily’s dedication, warmth, incredible sense of humor, unforgettable story-telling ability and innate clinical skills made a lasting impact on our team and our patients alike. She will be deeply missed. XO
At the same time, the practice was thrilled to welcome Rebecca Benson, RN, as the our full-time Clinical Nurse Educator, in addition to working as a Circulating Nurse in our operating room and recovering patients in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Rebecca brings a thoughtful, calming and confident demeanor and patient-focused approach to our practice. “Becca” has already become a wonderful addition to our team in a few short months. We look forward to all that’s ahead with Rebecca in this new role.
9. “Best of the Bay” 2025 — A Huge Honor (in two categories!)
In 2025, Dr. Karen Horton was honored with Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeon, and Emily Sespaniak, NP, received Best Medical Spa in SFGate’s second annual Best of the Bay 2025 competition. This recognition—voted on by the Bay Area community—reflects the trust our patients place in both our surgical and non-surgical aesthetic practice and the exceptional care delivered by the entire team.
These awards were a proud moment for everyone involved and a reminder of the collective effort behind every patient experience. See moments from the exclusive celebration at the Chase Center here!
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8. 2025 Team-Building Retreat in Santa Cruz
This year’s 5th annual team-building retreat took the SFPS team to Santa Cruz for a refreshing mix of connection, reflection, physical challenges (ropes courses way up high in the Redwoods) and FUN! outside the office. Time spent together away from the day-to-day schedule helped strengthen our relationships, reinforce our practice’s shared values, and recharge for the year ahead.
A strong team culture remains a cornerstone of the practice—and moments like these help keep that foundation strong. Next year… VEGAS!!!
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7. A Year of Education & Insightful Content
Throughout 2025, Dr. Horton continued to prioritize patient education through consistent, high-quality content shared on Instagram and her practice blog. From behind-the-scenes insights about her all-woman boutique surgery team to thoughtful discussions on current Plastic Surgery trends, aesthetics, and providing “unreasonable hospitality” in patient care, the goal has always been transparency, clarity, and empowerment.
Patients are encouraged to follow along on Instagram and explore the SFPS blog to stay up to date with the latest insights, announcements, and educational resources. And if you’re not already following Dr. Horton’s dedicated IG account to surgical before & afters, be sure to follow here!
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6. Welcoming Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Agnes Wong, NP-C
The practice was proud to welcome Agnes Wong, MSN, NP-C, as our second Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner in 2025. Agnes brings a strong clinical background in non-surgical aesthetics, a meticulous eye for detail, and a shared commitment to natural, refined outcomes and “full facial balancing”.
Agnes’s addition further strengthens the collaborative care model that defines the practice and expands the depth of expertise available to patients. She has an educational and informative Instagram account with authentic Reels & before/after transformations – follow her at @np.agnes!
5. Hosting a Yelp Elite Event at 2100 Webster Street
In 2025, Dr. Horton planned and co-hosted a Yelp Elite community event with other Pacific Professional Building Physicians at their 2100 Webster Street medical office building, welcoming members of the local community for an evening of connection, education, and conversation. Events like these reflect the practice’s ongoing engagement with San Francisco and its commitment to building meaningful relationships beyond the treatment room.
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4. Dr. Horton Featured in VOGUE Magazine
One of the year’s most exciting highlights was Dr. Horton being featured in VOGUE. This exclusive recognition underscored her thoughtful approach to aesthetics and her role as a trusted voice in Plastic Surgery—both locally and nationally.
The feature was a proud moment for the entire team and a testament to the values that guide the practice every day. Read more about it here.
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3. A New Office Photoshoot
With so much growth and change throughout the year, 2025 was the perfect time to update office photography. The team came together for a new photoshoot, capturing fresh team images that reflect the current team and the collaborative energy within the practice.
2. A Fresh New Logo
This year also brought a visual refresh with the unveiling of a redesigned San Francisco Plastic Surgery logo. The updated look reflects the practice’s evolution while staying true to its core identity—modern, refined, female-focused and rooted in trust.
1. A Busy Year in the Operating Room
2025 was an exceptionally busy year in the practice’s state-of-the-art, fully accredited, Quad A (AAAASF)-certified in-office operating facility. Over the course of the year, the team performed 71 general anesthesia Plastic Surgery procedures and 109 local anesthesia Plastic Surgery procedures (for a total of 180 cases!), providing patients with a safe, comfortable, and meticulously managed surgical experience.
To every patient who entrusted the practice with their care this year—thank you. That trust is never taken lightly. It is an honor and a privilege to care for our patients!
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we look toward 2026, there’s much more on the horizon—from upcoming educational blog topics and educational content about Plastic Surgery and non-surgical aesthetics to continued refinement of patient care and surgical excellence. The coming year promises thoughtful innovation, ongoing education, and the same unwavering commitment to helping patients feel informed, confident, and cared for.
Here’s to another year of growth, gratitude, and forward momentum. Happy New Year from Dr. Karen Horton and the San Francisco Plastic Surgery team!