Wednesday evening in Brookville, Laurel Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery and Dr. Algie LaBrasca hosted their Open House event, “A Night of Esthetics and Eyes.”

It was well-attended with LaBrasca and a number of cosmetic representatives, as well as Laurel Eye Clinic doctors on hand to talk about various procedures and products to enhance one’s appearance.

For LaBrasca, his journey to the Laurel practice has been one of inspiration and discovery.

When he was a young boy, his grandmother, Rose, would hold his hands and tell him that he had the hands of a doctor, and, he would respond, in a non-committal way, “Sure, grandma, I’ll become a doctor.”

But, in 1986, when LaBrasca was 12, Rose was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer, and died later that year.

“I found that plastic surgeons could kill melanoma, so that became my inspiration,” LaBrasca said.

LaBrasca, raised in DuBois, earned his Bachelor’s in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh in 1996 before earning his degree at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., in 2003.

LaBrasca was a resident in general surgery at Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., before completing a fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit in 2010. He also had extensive training at the Detroit Medical Center and Botsford Hospital.

He practiced at what was then known as DuBois Regional Medical Center from 2010 to 2013 before joining the highly-successful and well-regarded Laurel Eye Clinic in Brookville.

“I get to do so many different procedures. Every patient is different and every procedure is a little bit different,” LaBrasca said. “It’s been about 2 1/2 years since we created this together, and it’s been a really successful venture for Laurel Eye Clinic and Laurel Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery and especially the patients.”

“About half of the procedures we do here at Laurel are for carpal tunnel and eyelids while the remainder are cosmetic, for breast reductions and augmentations, as well as the bellies and butts. But we also do a lot of reconstructive work with skin cancer patients and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” LaBrasca added.

Barb Beck, of DuBois, was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in January 2012, and her approach to it was not only extremely positive, but aggressive as well.

“My doctor recommended radiation treatment, but I wanted a double mastectomy and total reconstruction,” Beck said. “I wanted to give myself the best chance to beat cancer that I could.”

“Algie has been fantastic. He hadn’t been in DuBois long when I was diagnosed, but I am so glad he came to the area. He is so positive and supportive, and that’s the way I am. I believe that goes a long way in the healing process. The result of my reconstructive surgery was totally natural, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Now cancer-free for more than four years, Beck’s approach was rooted in the fact that her mother died of breast cancer many years ago.

“She felt the lumps, but she didn’t seek treatment until her cancer was at Stage 2 because she was afraid of having a mastectomy.”

“If she would have had this surgery, she may have lived much longer,” Beck said.

Her mother died of cancer after a six-year battle.

Beck’s experience has led her to do counseling with women who have breast cancer and are unsure of what they are facing.

“A lot want to know if they are going to be freaks when it’s done. And that’s understandable, but it’s also unnecessary. If you do this, you will feel like cancer never happened.”

“It’s not easy, and there are multiple surgeries, but I feel blessed that I have the choice. It’s such an upbeat feeling when you are facing so many negatives,” Beck said.

Prospective patients also learned about micropigmentation, laser resurfacing, laser hair reduction, laser spider vein removal, Juvederm, Sculptra, chemical peels, Obagi Skin Care, Jane Iredale Cosmetics, as well as a live Botox demonstration on one of his patients.

For LaBrasca, coming home has been special to him.

“I am thankful and honored to come back to the central PA area. It was a great place to grow up, with hard working, dedicated people — a mentality instilled in me from a young age. I chose plastic surgery because of the complexity and diversity that the specialty offers, and I am proud to offer my services to the region.”

Laurel Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery has four offices, including Brookville, DuBois, Duncansville, and Grove City.

For Laurel Eye Clinic, it recently celebrated its 16th anniversary of opening its Laser and Surgery Center in Brookville. Today, Laurel Eye performs nearly 3,000 procedures annually between its Brookville and Altoona surgery centers.

Also, Laurel Eye’s Dr. Stewart Van Horn was recently named to the Premier Surgeon 300, a list of premium refractive cataract surgeons identified by Ocular Surgery News as leading innovators in the field of refractive cataract surgery.

These surgeons work to educate their colleagues, innovate by developing novel technologies and techniques to advance practice, or perform a high volume of premium refractive cataract surgery.

In addition, there was a Lasik seminar and screenings for cataracts and glaucoma.

Laurel Eye has 10 locations, including Brookville, New Bethlehem, Seneca, DuBois, St. Marys, Clearfield, Altoona, Bedford, Grove City, and Johnstown.

For more information, visit laureleye.com or go to their Facebook page.