Meet Our Dedicated Staff
At the Storch Plastic Surgery Facility at Aventura, we are pleased to offer a variety of procedures to patients in the Miami area. Dr. Michael Storch is a highly skilled and respected plastic surgeon; however, he is only one man, and it takes a team to properly and completely take care of our patients (and keep our practice running smoothly). Thanks to our amazing staff, we are able to provide the latest advances in plastic surgery at our Aventura facility, while still providing each of our patients the highly personal attention and care he, or she, deserves.
Helaine Zax
- Office Manager
Helaine has been at Dr. Storch’s side for over 23 years. She has over 40 years of medical office management experience. Helaine combines her knowledge of people with her past managerial and medical experience to effectively coordinate all patient and scheduling details and answer any questions you may have. You will meet Helaine at your initial plastic surgery consultation at our Aventura facility after meeting with Dr. Storch. She will go to great lengths to ensure that your specific needs are met, that your consultation is completely informative, and should you decide to proceed, that your surgery is scheduled in a timely and convenient manner.
Tammi Ellis, RN
Tammi brings both special skills and knowledge to her role. She received her diploma in Nursing from Jackson Memorial Hospital. Tammi has over 30 years of nursing experience, including having been charge nurse at one of our local hospitals. She has been an essential part of the Storch Plastic Surgery family since 2000. Tammi manages all of the clinical aspects of patient care before, during, and, after surgery. She finds true joy in caring for and getting to know our patients. She will guide you from your initial pre operative appointment through your complete preparation for surgery, recovery and beyond. Tammi is there for all her patients every step of the way.
Lori Toleman
- Receptionist
Lori started her career in the healthcare field as a dental assistant, a position she held for 25 years before switching gears and becoming an essential part of Dr. Storch’s team in 1999. Lori will most likely be the first person you speak to when calling our office and the first smiling, welcoming face you see when you walk through our door. She will make you feel as comfortable as possible with her exceptional people skills, great personality, and warm and friendly demeanor.
Ellen Waxelbaum
- Receptionist/ Insurance Specialist
Ellen has her associate’s degree in business and has over 23 years of medical office experience. She has been a bright and valuable part of our team since 2006. Ellen handles any insurance filings for the office and also takes our pre-operative and post-operative photos. Ellen is an important and happy member of our “family.”
Theodore Vandling, CRNA
Theodore, or Ted as we affectionately call him, completed his anesthesia training program in 1970 at the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked closely with Dr. Storch for over 22 years. He has previously also acquired extensive experience including 6 years as a staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, 3 years as a freelance CRNA in Shreveport, LA., and as a member of the open heart CRNA staff at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL from 1986-1988. He is also currently on the CRNA staff at Jackson Memorial University of Miami Hospital North in their high risk Obstetrics Department and has been since 1991. Ted also served our country as a nurse and medic from 1980-1983 in the U.S. Air Force.
As a CRNA, Ted has had extensive additional training in anesthesia. He has obtained a Master of Science degree in anesthesia. Ted is certified, licensed, and approved to provide full anesthesia services under Dr. Storch’s supervision. Ted has expertly administered anesthesia to Dr. Storch’s patients since 1988 and has become an essential part of the Storch Plastic Surgery family in Aventura.
Jean Arnold, RN, Surgical Assistant
Jean comes to us from Forest City, Iowa. She received her nursing degree from North Iowa Area Community College in 1969. For the past 33 years, Jean has worked as an operating room nurse and surgical scrub nurse and surgical assistant. Jean was an integral part of the organ transplant team at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. She then came to sunny Miami from Wisconsin where she worked at Baptist Hospital in the Magnet Surgical Institute for the next 10 years.
Jean enjoys spending her free time with her cats and dogs that she lovingly refers to as her “perfect children.”
Jean is also an active member of the Ft. Lauderdale Unity Church and volunteers her time at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts and the Glimmer of Life Animal Rescue Organization.
You will have the pleasure of meeting Jean when visiting our office. She plays an important role in helping patients with their comfort and care before, during, and after surgery. Jean is by Dr. Storch’s side during every surgical procedure. She is an invaluable, uplifting member of The Storch Aventura Plastic Surgery Team.
Kathy Prezzemolo-Simhon
- Medical Aesthetician/ Make-up Artist
Kathy is a highly skilled aesthetician with over 15 years of experience, and has been working for Dr. Storch since 2004. She brings a unique blend of medical grade skincare and traditional European spa methods to the practice. Kathy pampers our patients with many services including microdermabrasion, some milder chemical peels, and a variety of skincare treatments expertly tailored to each patient’s individual needs. Kathy also specializes in post-surgical concealing make-up application and will help our patients during their recovery period.
Learn More about Plastic Surgery
Dr. Storch and the entire staff truly strive to make all of our patients feel comfortable, knowledgeable, secure, and as though they were a part of our family. Our gracious and dedicated, well trained and experienced staff will be very happy to answer any and all of your questions, and help you to achieve your aesthetic goals. With the assistance of our remarkable staff, Dr. Storch will strive to deliver the magnificent results for which he has become known; if you are in the Miami area, and are considering plastic surgery, please contact our Aventura practice today to arrange for your personal consultation.
