LOOKING GOOD

Marriage is a partnership. But partnership takes on a whole new meaning when a couple works together. The “Have a good day” and “Honey, I’m home” phrases that bookend most spouses’ days don’t come into play when a husband and wife are running a business together. Not every duo can survive without a little bit of daily distance. But Jeremy and Brittany Warner wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jeremy, a plastic surgeon board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Brittany, an MBA with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, operate The Warner Aesthetic & Reconstructive Institute in Northfield, which offers a range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures, including the patented SWIFT™ Lift, an innovative technique of Dr. Warner’s invention that allows patients to comfortably and safely achieve their facial rejuvenation goals in an office setting. The procedure uses local rather than general anesthetic and produces a natural look that requires minimal recovery time.

Born in Utah, Dr. Warner studied at the George Washington University School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and undertook an additional year of training in facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Toronto. “Within the world of surgery, plastic surgeons have to be ready to operate from head to toe working to restore deformities resulting from birth, trauma, or cancer, as well as change lives through aesthetic surgery,” notes Dr. Warner. “Helping patients live better lives through surgery and medicine has been a fulfilling journey, from repairing injured facial nerves and allowing a paralyzed face to smile again to complex revision rhinoplasty surgery to microvascular surgery to transplant tissue from a leg to a scalp, and everything in between.”

Brittany, an Ohio native, began her career in the health industry as an administrator at an otolaryngology practice in Park Ridge while earning her undergraduate degree. She then went on to work for a large hospital system in Chicago’s north suburbs, while earning an MBA at the same time from the University of Illinois. Following graduation, she took a position with the University of Chicago Medical Center in facility operations, using her expertise to lead the organization of a large outpatient medical center. “I truly believe every professional role I’ve held, every collaborative relationship I’ve built, has been integrated into our surgical institute,” says Brittany, who has guided the institute’s financial and operational planning and laid the blueprint for the patient experience. “From the second a patient calls our office, to three years out from surgery—and every touch point in between—we’re strategically determined to provide the most effective, safe, and personalized care.”

In addition to their North Shore practice, the Warners are committed to a philanthropic endeavor that takes them across the globe. As Mission Director of the Nepal Surgical and Medical Mission under the Face the Future Foundation, Dr. Warner travels to Kathmandu every year to treat severely injured patients and patients born with facial deformities. “While my practice in the U.S. is a mix of cosmetic and reconstructive work, going to Nepal is just simply jam-packed with complex reconstructive procedures that help solve problems for patients who would otherwise not have access to this type of care.” In 2019, Brittany traveled to Nepal with her husband to help with organization and logistics and while there, she decided to begin a new chapter in her career. When she returned home, she completed her nursing degree and is now positioned to provide care both at the institute and in Nepal.

If respect is key to a successful partnership, Dr. Warner demonstrated that early on when he proposed to Brittany after she had bested him in an IRONMAN Triathlon by two hours. And Brittany—who is set to open The Skin Lounge, offering an elite level of aesthetic facial and body services—deeply admires Jeremy’s commitment to his patients and the institute. “During executive meetings, I often use a quote by Teddy Roosevelt that I feel truly defines Jeremy, ‘Courage is not having the strength to go on; it is going on when you don’t have the strength,’” explains Brittany.

Parents to three active boys, the Warners enjoy skiing and boating, as well as “date night Wednesday” at Merlo’s in Glencoe or EJ’s Place in Skokie. But their vocations are never far from their thoughts. “While we do have rules that work should ideally be discussed during work hours and scheduled meetings, there is a lot of discussion mixed throughout our time at home as well. It just works for us and has helped us propel the business. But I think the biggest challenge for us is learning to take a moment and embrace what we both have worked so hard to achieve,” shares Brittany. “I often find myself feeling guilty if I’m not working toward my next achievement. That’s just how I am built. Thankfully, my husband is exactly the same way.”

For more information about the The Warner Aesthetic & Reconstructive Institute, visit warnerplasticsurgery.com.