Melissa Cooley, DNP, FNP-C, ABAAHP

Doctor of Nursing Practice | Certified Family Nurse Practitioner | Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine

Dr. Melissa Cooley is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and certified family nurse practitioner serving patients in and around San Antonio, Texas, at CoolMed, a state-of-the-art integrative medicine practice. Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine, Dr. Cooley is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal health and longevity through a comprehensive, evidence-based, and holistic approach to care.

A proud Texas native, Dr. Cooley earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1997. Her passion for medicine emerged while working with animals, where she discovered her calling to serve people instead. She later earned a second Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Dr. Cooley began her nursing career in plastic surgery alongside Dr. Gary Lawton before expanding her experience to the emergency room, intensive care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, and operating room. She also worked in bariatric surgery and nursing management, during which time she earned her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. After several years in emergency medicine, she reunited with Dr. Lawton to provide patients with advanced and holistic medical care.

Dr. Cooley has published three peer-reviewed articles in nursing and medical journals and has authored a book chapter on weight loss. Passionate about research and innovation, she remains committed to contributing to the medical community through ongoing publication and clinical advancement.

At CoolMed, Dr. Cooley provides primary care services for patients of all ages, specializing in weight management, medical aesthetics, and hormone replacement therapy for men, women, and transgender individuals. She integrates both modern science and traditional wellness philosophies, holding certifications in:

• Ayurvedic Digestion and Nutrition
• RGCC Personalized Cancer Treatment
• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Her practice uniquely blends Ayurvedic medicine, functional wellness, and personalized, preventive healthcare, offering patients a compassionate and comprehensive path toward lasting vitality and well-being.

Gary P. Lawton, MD

Advanced Biologics

Dr. Gary Lawton grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Lexington High School in 1982. There he became a member of the National Eagle Scouts Association of the Boy Scouts of America. After high school, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He received the degree Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with highest honors (summa cum laude) in 1986. He graduated second in his class, and was elected to the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Golden Key Honor Society. After college he attended medical school at the University of Massachusetts at Worcester. He received the degree Doctor of Medicine in 1990, and distinguished himself as a Senior Scholar in Surgery.
Dr. Lawton began his surgical training at Yale University in 1990. During his General Surgery training, he spent 2 years in the laboratory of the Gastrointestinal Pathobiology Research Group. He received the highly coveted American College of Surgeons Scholarship for the Study of Wound Healing, and the Ohse Foundation Research Fellowship. He also received Scientific Awards from the Association of Veterans Administration Surgeons, and the Connecticut Society of American Board Surgeons.

Dr. Lawton received his training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Yale University School of Medicine, where he earned the Corso Award for Outstanding Research in both 1999 and 2000. His research concerned the microscopic 3-dimensional anatomy of the midface, and lymph node dissections for melanoma.

Dr. Lawton has published 20 articles and 22 abstracts in medical journals, and has written 3 book chapters. The subjects of these reports include everything from practical surgical applications to the molecular biology of wound healing. Dr. Lawton has spoken at numerous regional, national, and international meetings.

Dr. Lawton has limited his practice to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, with a particular focus on breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, liposuction, body contouring, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Memberships

• Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Member of the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
• Member of the Texas Medical Association
• Member of the Bexar County Medical Society
• Life Member of the Yale University Surgical Society