Photography by Sarah Oden | Hair by Amy Hinkle with Caracala Salon & Body Spa | Makeup by Bridget Baltimore with Barbara/Jean | Dress from Emerge | Jewelry from Sissy’s Log Cabin
For more than 20 years, Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center has improved the lives of fellow Arkansans. Offering a portfolio of services for men and women – from breasts to body and face – patient testimonials confirm the transformative power of looking + feeling fabulous. Together, Dr. Rhys Branman and Leslie Harmon lead a team of industry experts that make the surgical and procedural process seamless for clients. Their commitment to building a brighter < more beautiful > future for Arkansans is undeniable, but their service spans beyond their business. This dynamic duo supports countless organizations across Central Arkansas with ease and grace as some of the Capital City’s most admired civic leaders.
Rhys Branman M.D. is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Medical School, where he also completed his general Surgery and residency training. He completed his American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship training in 1998. An active member of the medical community in Arkansas and abroad, Dr. Branman has been featured on Dateline NBC as well as several local television stations. In addition, Dr. Branman served as a consultant to the surgeon general in the area of facial cosmetic surgery. He has also volunteered – providing free medical care to the population in Baja, California, through the Flying Samaritans. In 2018, Dr. Branman was sworn in as the newest member of the Arkansas State Medical Board. Appointed by Governor Hutchinson, Dr. Branman is honored by this recognition of his commitment to patient safety and high standard of care. Prior to becoming a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Branman served honorably in the United States Navy.
Originally from Little Rock, Leslie is a graduate of Little Rock Central High School and Texas Christian University – where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She is a Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse, a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, a national board member for the AmSpa National Safety Council and currently the only double-boarded nurse in the state of Arkansas by the Plastic Surgery Nurse Certification Board – she is also a board member. Leslie is an active member of the International Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses, and has vast knowledge and experience in plastic and cosmetic surgery care.
Congruent with their belief that every individual has a unique opportunity to cultivate self-confidence and personal success, Dr. Branman and Leslie support the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation and continue the legacy of empowering young women. The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation provides critical support for the Miss Arkansas Competition. Established in 1939, the competition maintains its tradition and honors the opinions, talents and intelligence of the participants. Leslie believes these values reflect the work of Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. “As an advocate for women’s education and a practice that prides itself on doing the very best that we can to help our patients look and feel the very best, it’s a great fit for philanthropic work.” Dr. Branman and Leslie are proud scholarship donors and realize the difference their commitment makes in the lives of these young women. “We have seen participants find their voice, careers and opportunities that make this experience a life-changer,” Leslie reflects. “We have seen candidates compete, not win, but still walk away with scholarships that have fully paid for graduate, law and undergraduate education and for that, the program certainly benefits many more than just the one girl that becomes our Miss Arkansas.”
Dr. Rhys Branman and Leslie Harmon donate a $10,000 scholarship to the first-runner up in the Miss Arkansas Competition. This year’s winner Miss Metro Ebony Williams plans to utilize the financial support towards a Masters of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Health Administration. “Beyond the stage, their benefits continue as young women become teachers, physicians, accountants, community leaders and even Broadway performers utilizing the skills gained through participating to achieve their career goals. The program continues to provide an outlet for professional networking and celebrating their accomplishments well beyond the stage,” Dr. Branman elaborates.
As the organization nears a century of service, the 2021 Miss Arkansas Competition awarded $215,000 in cash scholarships. “It’s a record amount – at a time when college enrollment for women has declined due to the pandemic.” The Capital City welcomed participants to Robinson Performance Hall last month for a week of friendly competition and camaraderie. Miss Arkansas Executive Director Jessie Ward Bennett notes, “We are so thankful for generous supporters, like Dr. Branman and Leslie, who make opportunities possible for young women right here in Arkansas.”
