Photos by Hillary Ehlen
cat·a·lyst /ˈkad(ə)ləst/ (noun):an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action
For nearly 20 years, Catalyst Clinical Spa in Fargo has been this agent of change for many.
Catalyst is a multi-specialty clinic renowned for the compassionate care provided by experts whose life passions are to help their patients lead happier, healthier, more beautiful lives. The blend of cosmetic procedures and health services enable them to treat each patient in a unique manner and atmosphere — inside and out. An oasis for wellness, Catalyst provides services from allergy and sinus, facial plastic surgery and functional medicine to laser treatments, cosmetic injections and dermatology.
At the helm of Catalyst’s team is the aesthetic pioneer of the region, Dr. Susan Mathison. Educated at Stanford and The University of Texas Southwestern, she calls North Dakota home and brings a hands-on approach to training and patient care here. Dr. Mathison is joined in the clinic by Taylor Fontaine, PA-C and Jen Blais, DCNP, APRN, as well as five aesthetic nurses and three medical aestheticians.
A true artist in providing subtle enhancements to natural beauty, Mathison shared, “I love working with my hands. I inherited an artistic eye from my mom, who was a painter in the rare moments she wasn’t working as a mom or a nurse. My dad was a surgeon, too, and he instilled in me a sense of responsibility and creative problem-solving.”
“Catalyst is second to none when it comes to spa services! Every time I go, I can trust that they will give me a natural look and not look like, ‘I’ve had work done.’ They truly care about their patients and will take extra time to answer any questions and educate. I’ve learned so much from my provider about my skin, health and more! Thank you, Catalyst!” – Catalyst customer, S.B.
In choosing where to go, what makes Catalyst different? Patients choose Catalyst because they don’t want to feel like a number. With a team that is led by strong ethics, the personalized touches that Catalyst provide make patients feel safe and confident in the services provided. In anything medical-related, patients want to feel comfortable and educated on what is being performed. Catalyst’s providers take the time to educate each patient on whatever problem it is they are experiencing and what routes are available for treatment. Mathison shared that their goal is to provide a great education to help the patient meet their health and beauty goals.
When you arrive at Catalyst, parking is easy, the walk-in is short and the clinic is beautiful, filled with natural light and local art. A warm smile greets you at the door and comfortable seating makes your lobby-time enjoyable. Another thing Catalyst takes pride in is their speed of availability. Director of Marketing, Karisa Shuck, said, “We do whatever we can to get patients in within two weeks, even if that means providers and nurses working through lunches or staying late. Our team takes a patient-centric approach to absolutely everything.”
At Catalyst, beauty and wellness aren’t just skin deep. Beyond just the services they provide in-house, the staff at Catalyst aim to be active members of the community. In January, they offered one of their twice-a-year free cancer screenings. To educate the community, Dr. Mathison wrote a column for The Forum for seven years, sharing stories and health tips. They are also proud supporters of area charity and nonprofit initiatives like Giving Hearts Day, Lend A Hand, United Way, TEDxFargo, Plains Art Museum, Impact Foundation, and Dakota Medical Foundation. When they’re not scrubbed up, they even get their hands dirty with the one-acre lots on either side of their building that they share with Growing Together and previously Farm in the Dell. With this partnership, they’ve helped produce thousands of pounds of healthy, organic produce from this land.
“Dr. Mathison and her staff are always so friendly and accommodating! She takes her time with you and gives you honest answers and options. She is the kindest doctor I’ve ever visited. I’m constantly referring friends, family and my own clients to see Sue and the other service providers at Catalyst!!” – Catalyst customer, S.M.
Catalyst is the region’s pacemaker, providing many exclusive services, expertly. They were the first to bring Botox to North Dakota, introducing its many medical uses beyond wrinkle removal, like treatment of migraines, excessive sweating, and jaw clenching. Other unique services include miraDry, a non-invasive, permanent and FDA approved procedure that can take care of underarm issues like excessive sweat and unwanted hair; Emsculpt, a treatment that builds muscle and burns fat, all with minimal effort from the patient; and their state-of-the-art laser treatments addresses multiple, unique skin issues.
What’s the one thing that sets Catalyst apart? To answer that would be a disservice to their whole enterprise. To assess Catalyst, you must weigh-in the exclusivity of high-end treatments like Emsculpt and MiraDry. Or reflect on the personal relationships between patient and provider. Or measure their dedication to giving back to the community. Catalyst doesn’t stand out in one field, but in all, they touch…and that is the Catalyst difference.
“Catalyst is a great place to go and find out if your allergies can be diminished. The gals that work there are number one, you feel so special by them, they listen to you and make sure you understand what they are doing at all times.” – Catalyst customer, N.S.
Catalyst Clinical Spa
1800 21st Ave S Suite B, Fargo
catalystmedicalcenter.com
