Celebrating Health & Beauty on Long Island
Long Island’s top experts and brands were honored at the inaugural HERALD Health & Beauty Awards—celebrating innovation, excellence, and standout contributions to the local industry.
Krista Bennett DeMaio (left) and Mae Caime (right) moderated a panel on longevity and then welcomed award recipients to the stage.
The inaugural HERALD Long Island Health & Beauty Awards took place at the elegant Heritage Club at Bethpage on Wednesday, July 16th, drawing a vibrant crowd of professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across the Island’s wellness and beauty scene. The event, co-hosted by Pretty Local founder Krista Bennett DeMaio and wellness expert Mae Caime, RN, honored 44 standout individuals and businesses making a meaningful impact in areas ranging from skincare and aesthetics to fitness, mental health, and beyond.
“These honorees aren’t just experts in what they do—they’re community leaders, supporters, and sources of strength and confidence for so many,” says Amy Amato, executive director of RicherLIVE and HERALD Community Media. “Whether they’re helping someone heal, regain their confidence, or feel good about themselves again—they are there during some of our most personal, vulnerable, and triumphant moments.”
Before the awards ceremony, guests gathered for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the new era of longevity, focused on the emerging science and strategies behind living longer—and living better. Experts, including Luis Fandos, MD, founder of Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Helen Hsieh, MD, founder and medical director of Vibrance 360, and Catherine Canadeo, CEO and founder of Health & Wellness Corp., shared insights into how advances in medicine, lifestyle, and personalized care are reshaping what longevity looks like today. Topics covered included functional medicine, hormone replacement therapy, cutting-edge technology such as ExoMind, and nutrition.
The evening began with a cocktail reception, where attendees networked and explored vendor activations around the room, sampling new products, services, and treatments from some of Long Island’s most innovative brands.
As each honoree was called to the stage to receive their award, the room was filled with applause and appreciation for the people and businesses driving change—and raising the bar—in local health and beauty.
Scroll through the gallery below for some pictures from the event.
Congrats to the 2025 honorees:
Lifetime Achievement
Sunny Kang – C0-founder and COO, Earth Therapeutics
Legacy
Joan Caliendo – Ms. New York Senior America
Excellence in Leadership in Beauty
Larissa Jensen – Senior Vice President, Global Beauty Industry Advisor, Circana
Achiever Award
Atul Bhatara – Founder & CEO, Atul Skincare
Georgia & Tom Amigdalos – Educator & President, PureCare Pharmacy and Wellness
Rising Stars
Adriana Lane – Miss Long Island Teen 2025
Kristen Rosario – Miss Long Island 2025
Aesthetic Excellence
Ali Artz – Salon and Spa Owner/Beauty Entrepreneur, Ambiance Salon and Spa
Batool F. Rizvi, DDS – Practice Owner, Holistic Dental Wellness Group
Dr. Howard Goodman, DC – Weight Loss Doctor, Long Island Weight Loss Doctor
Michael Abrams, DDS – Co-Founder, Manhasset Dental Arts
Nikki Cestaro – Hairstylist/Owner, Karma Beauty Studio, Inc.
Rachel Lozina – Founder, Blue Water Spa
Beauty Influencer
Krista Bennett DeMaio – Founder, Pretty Local and LI Beauty Scene
Jo Marie – Master Hairstylist & Beauty Expert, Jo Marie Hair & Beauty
Beauty & Balance
Angela Cui – Owner, Tranquility 3 Spa & Salt Cave
Beauty & Wellness Entrepreneur
Linda Mashkabova, FNP – Owner, The Beauty Cellar NYC
Body Contouring
Sami Stanton – Body Sculpting Expert, Sculpted by Sami
Sharon Grasso, LME, CLT – Rebranding Menopause Podcast
Dana Persico – Rebranding Menopause Podcast
Ingrid Dodd – Rebranding Menopause Podcast
Excellence in Health & Wellness
Dr. Luis Fandos, FAAAM, FABAPM – Founder and CEO, Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center
Dr. Sarah K. Girardi, FACS – Associate Professor of Urology, Tideline Center for Health & Aesthetics
Neeta Mitchell, RN & Dr. Matthew Rutman – Founders, Balanced Health & Wellness
Game-changer
Mae Caime, RN – CEO & Transformational Architect, Amaezing Midlife & Beyond
Holistic Integrative Health
Constance Korol – CEO, Meta 180
Impact
Alexandra Davila – Educator/Makeup Artist, Make Me Over NYC
Karla Waldron – Executive Director, Mondays at Racine Cancer Care
Alyssa Greiner – Assistant Executive Director, Mondays at Racine Cancer Care
Suzanne Chimera – Co-Founder, Hair We Share
Innovator
Dr. Helen Hsieh – Founder & Medical Director, Vibrance 360
Leticia Huston – Entrepreneur & Beauty Industry Leader, Her Spa Room, Benefit Cosmetics/LVMH
Marisa Russell – Founder & Chief Alchemist, Meadow & Bark
Excellence in Medical Aesthetics & MedSpa
Alice Khalkad, LME – Skin Specialist, House of Skin
Precision & Purpose
Dr. Meredith Vandegrift, FACS – Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Vandegrift Plastic Surgery
Dr. Samara S. Churgin, FACS – Double Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive, and General Surgeon, Churgin Plastic Surgery
Resilience
Jim Wang – Owner, Spa 505
Science & Skin
Angelica Solomon – Founder, Best Skin & Body Aesthetics Spa
Dr. Linda Harkavy – President/Medical Director, Form & Function Aesthetics and Wellness
Skincare Brand Visionary
Donna Arigo – Account Executive, New York, ISDIN USA
Trailblazer Award
Dana Persico – CEO & Chair, Government Relations, Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute
Alicia Gatti, NP – Nurse Practitioner, CEO, Modern Dose
Sharon Grasso, LE, CLT – Founder, Permanent Touch Cosmetics
Wellness & Longevity
Catherine Canadeo – CEO & Founder, Health and Wellness Corp
