About us

Our mission

At Essence, we know that how you feel on the outside often starts on the inside. We have a passion for helping people look and feel their best. Whatever your concern—we will work together to develop a treatment plan that is just right for you.

Meet the Owner

Founder and Owner at Essence Aesthetics and Health.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Founder and Owner Kerri VanEe is a Nurse Practitioner who has spent the last 25 years in the healthcare field. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999 and later as a Nurse Practitioner from Allen College in 2011. She’s continued her education through the study of integrative medicine, nutrition, orthopedics, and medical aesthetics. She has been a Waverly resident since 2004 and lives there with her husband and two teenage boys. When not at Essence she enjoys hiking, reading, kayaking, and traveling.

Meet the team

Kate Huisman

Registered nurse

Kate is a 2019 Purdue Global Registered Nurse graduate. She started her nursing career in surgical services and has now switched her specialty to aesthetics. Kate is a cancer survivor and through her journey, health and self care have become passions of hers. She enjoys forming relationships with clients and helping them feel more confident in their own skin. She grew up in the Cedar Valley and currently lives in Waverly with her husband and 2 daughters. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and being active outdoors!

Anna Schaufenbuel

RN, BSN

Anna Schaufenbuel attended Allen College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has had a variety of healthcare experience as a registered nurse in neonatal intensive care, public health, and behavioral health.Anna lives in Waverly with her husband, Adam, and their son, William. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family, and traveling.Anna loves forming connections with clients and helping them feel confident through treatments offered at Essence Aesthetics and Health!


Elli Winter

Client Experience Specialist

Elli joined the Essence team in August 2023. She graduated from UNI in 2021 with a Marketing degree, but started her college career as a Nursing major. Had she known aesthetics was an option at that time, she definitely would have stuck with the nursing path, as she has a passion for aesthetics and feeling confident in our own skin! Elli enjoys building relationships with clients and coordinating their care to ensure they have a great experience at Essence! In her free time, Elli loves to hangout with friends and family, sit outside on a patio in the summertime, travel, and hangout with her dog, Millie!

Brenna Jacobs

medical aesthetics assistant

Brenna loves everything aesthetics, from treatments to skincare regimens to building client relationships. She joined the team as a Medical Aesthetics Assistant in the fall of 2021 and loves the amazing atmosphere. She graduated from Wartburg College with a biology degree and is currently finishing up nursing school at Allen College in pursuit of her BSN. In her free time, she likes to be outside, spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to seeing clients and sharing the love of all the confidence treatments offered at Essence!

Olivia Hobson

medical aesthetics assistant

Olivia is a 2023 Wartburg College biology graduate and is currently in the accelerated nursing program at Allen College. She plans to become a nurse practitioner. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and loves to deliver professional and compassionate care to Essence clients to help them look and feel their best! In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and reading. She is looking forward to seeing you at your next confidence treatment!

Marina Biermann

medical aesthetics assistant

Marina has been working as a Medical Aesthetic Assistant since June of 2022. She enjoys sharing knowledge and recommendations regarding skincare and the various treatments offered at Essence. Relationships with clients are of utmost importance to Marina, along with seeing the improved confidence within clients throughout their journey with Medical Aesthetics. She graduated from Hawkeye Community College with her Associate of Arts in the Spring of 2023. In her free time, Marina loves spending time with family and friends, being outdoors on her family farm with her dog, traveling anywhere and everywhere, and creating permanent jewelry!