Our Name & Story
Koru got its name from the Polynesian island Aotearoa, otherwise known as New Zealand.
Koru is a Maori word that represents the symbol of a new fern frond as it opens, bringing new life to the world. Its inward spiral symbolizes new beginnings, peace, balance and harmony.
After practicing medical aesthetics under the name “Island DermNurse” Shellie Norman DNP officially opened Koru Medical Spa and Island Dermatology LLC in 2019 as the Big Island’s first and only medical spa. Shellie’s dream was to share the message of self-love and confidence to her community. Shellie practices as a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and is a master injector and skin-health expert at Koru. She is known for her natural-looking lip fillers and has a way of making her clients feel truly beautiful.
At Koru Medical Spa, receive a full service experience and bring your youthfulness out from within. With health and wellness as our priority, our goal is for every guest is to walk out of our doors feeling renewed, beautiful and cared for in all walks of life.
Our approach will build healthy skin from the inside out and make each client’s skin glow. Koru Medical Spa offers integrative and holistic treatments that also address other factors of health to keep each patient feeling and looking their best at all ages.
Koru is truly a Medical Spa, women-owned and operated by local doctors, nurses and certified aestheticians. Your health and safety is our priority and we hold to the highest standards in the industry for all of our services and products. As an integrative team, we use medical-grade products offering the most natural and top-of-the-line botanical ingredients available.
Our Team
Shellie Norman, DNP,APRN,FNP-BC,DCNP
Koru Founder/lead injector & Dermatology Certified Nurse PractitionerShellie is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner in Kailua-Kona with over 30 years of experience in the fields of nursing and healthcare. She graduated top of her class as a Registered Nurse in 1986, obtained her undergraduate degree from Lewis and Clark State College in Idaho, and obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at the University of Utah in 2014. Shellie has worked in many aspects of healthcare from hospital and homecare nursing, owning her own elderly care home and daycare, to hospice care and school nursing eventually operating Idaho's first school-based health clinic.
As a child growing up in Southern California with Vitiligo, Shellie experienced first hand how skin health can effect a person's life. As a result, Shellie chose to focus her advanced practice in the field of Dermatology so she could help others that struggle with skin diseases. Shellie has been practicing in the field of dermatology since 2012, both at a progressive North Idaho Clinic and here on the Big Island of Hawaii. She opened her own Dermatology Clinic, Island Dermatology LLC, in 2017.
Shellie has always been passionate about helping her patients achieve their best. Her medical practice is focused on treating the whole person and not just the health issue or problem, as well as educating and giving her patients the tools to keep themselves looking and feeling great. In her spare time, Shellie enjoys spending time with her loved ones and her two fur-babies. With a passion for the outdoors and traveling, she spends as much of her free time staying active and amazed by the natural world.
Leah Onstott, RN, MSN
Leah brings over 25 years of experience in aesthetics, with a background spanning dermatology, plastic surgery, and integrative aesthetic practices. Her expertise with advanced injectables and a wide range of laser technologies allows her to create customized treatment plans that deliver optimal results. Leah has a passion for combining therapies—such as pairing PRP/PRF with lasers or microneedling—for enhanced outcomes and long-lasting benefits.
She values educating her patients and building collaborative relationships, ensuring each individual feels confident and supported in achieving their aesthetic goals.
After years of vacationing in Hawai‘i, Leah made Kailua-Kona her home in 2023, along with her black lab, Riley. Outside the clinic, she enjoys soaking up the island lifestyle—whether at the beach, paddling, snorkeling, or simply watching the sunset. A dedicated gluten-free baker for over 15 years, Leah also loves creating breads, muffins, and scones to share with friends and family.
Registered Nurse
Emily Burkman - MPAS, PA
Emily is a board-certified Physician Associate with over nine years of experience in dermatology. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. During her graduate training, she completed extensive dermatology-specific education and clinical experience.
Emily practices medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and is passionate about developing personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique skin concerns. Her approach emphasizes both clinical excellence and patient education, with the aim of helping individuals achieve optimal outcomes and maintain healthy, vibrant skin over their lifetime.
Originally from southwest Minnesota, Emily now lives in Kailua-Kona with her husband, where they both work in the medical field. In their free time, they enjoy paddling, diving, hiking, and staying actively involved in their local church community
Dermatology Physician Associate & Koru Injector/Laser Technician
Jenny Moyer
Jenny Moyer is a skilled esthetician with over 18 years of experience in both boutique and clinical skincare. Certified as a medical assistant, she blends beauty and science to offer personalized, result-driven treatments that enhance her clients' natural beauty. Jenny is dedicated to building strong client relationships and boosting confidence through her tailored skincare approach. Outside of work, she enjoys time with loved ones, beach outings, and walks with her Boston terrier.
Licensed Aesthetician
Liz
Liz is the Office Administrator at Koru Medical Spa. In this role, Liz brings her passion, insight, and over fifteen years of experience to foster a positive, supportive environment that ensures every patient receives exceptional care.
Outside of her professional role, Liz values quality time with family and friends, exploring new culinary experiences, and creating meaningful moments through shared gatherings. She believes that strong relationships—both in and out of the office—are the foundation of lasting success.
Office Administrator
Jen Jensen
Office CoordinatorJen is the coordinator at Koru Medical Spa. Originally from Oregon, she has gained a wide range of customer service experience over the years with different job opportunities and has been specifically involved in the spa and wellness industry since 2012 when she began working at a day spa in Eugene. She really loves being a part of guests’ paths to self-care and is happy to be in the background helping in any way needed to facilitate those journeys.
She moved to the Big Island in 2018 after many visits and is so happy to call such a beautiful island her home. When she isn’t working or plotting her next overseas adventure with friends, it would be pretty easy to spot her at a concert, play, Broadway musical or any type of stage performance!
Sierra Robertson
Sierra is our full-time aesthetician who has been licensed since 2018. She originally received her license in the state of Texas where she was born and raised in a very small town.
She moved to Hawai’i Island in 2020 with her husband and four fur babies and fell in love with the island. Her hobbies include hiking, beach days, and snorkeling.
Licensed AestheticianNani Snodgrass
Licensed Aesthetician & Guest RelationsNani joined the Koru team after earning her Esthetician license 2023 from Big Island Beauty Academy. Born and raised on Oahu, she moved to the Big Island in 2018 and gained hands-on experience at two Kona spas before joining our team. She loves connecting with clients and seeing their excitement and glow after treatments. Outside of work, Nani enjoys quiet time at home, organizing for a fresh headspace, and exploring nature in remote spots.