About
Dr. Gina Charles knew from the age of 3 that she wanted to be a physician, and never wavered from that goal, no matter how difficult the journey. It’s that same drive and determination that led her to follow a path to entrepreneurship with the launch of her company, Serenity Aesthetics & Wellness as well as Ade & Gina Studios with her husband, Ade.
Born in Dominica and raised in Harlem, NY, Charles found inspiration in the women around her, particularly her mother and aunt. Her mother was a model of what a driven and hardworking woman looked like, and her aunt — a nurse — helped to solidify her decision to follow her own path to medicine.
After studying Health Sciences with a minor in Africana Studies at Stonybrook University, Charles traveled to Ghana West Africa on several medical missions as a research assistant before entering graduate school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, followed by medical school at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Throughout medical school, Charles experienced anxiety, but the words of her aunt reminding her that “your path is destined” helped her to push through.
At Serenity, Dr. Charles and her staff practices integrative skincare, giving her clients flexibility and ample appointment time slots. Charles doesn’t merely treat skin, she works to understand each client’s life and how various aspects impact the health of their skin. Clients come for Charles’ energetic and caring spirit and stay for Serenity’s comfortable and positive vibes. The goal is to make you feel as good as you look.
Charles’ short-term goals include expanding Serenity to allow clients the ability to practice yoga and meditation (two factors that contribute to her health), but her long-term goals are international. Charles travels back to her native Dominica on various occasions to provide medical services on the island, and hopes to expand that work in the years to come, in addition to being a traveling lecturer and mentor for women and girls.
Charles has been recognized by the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians as one of their women physician leaders and is currently an executive board member of National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. – Harrisburg chapter. With her husband, Ade Oshodi by her side as her most important inspiration, motivator, and business partner, Charles also lives by some key quotes: her old tagline “Every woman should feel as good as she looks,” her favorite quote from her very 1st boss “In life you should work by the 3 D’s: do it, delegate it or ditch it,” and her own personal mantra of “Self-care ain’t selfish.” With her innate drive, her strong support system, her high-level knowledge, and her faith in herself, Dr. Gina Charles is redefining what health looks like on her terms — and making life better for the clients she comes into contact with every day.
Dr. Gina Charles resides in Harrisburg, PA with her husband and their 3-year-old daughter.
