Meet the Team
The people behind The Vital RN
Trained in medicine. Devoted to detail. Rooted in warmth.
Founder & Lead Injector
Lissa Clift, RN, BSN
With years of clinical nursing experience and advanced training in aesthetic medicine, Lissa Clift, RN, BSN, founded The Vital RN with a simple mission: to help clients look refreshed, feel confident, and receive exceptional care in a welcoming, personalized environment. She combines medical expertise with an artistic eye to create natural, balanced results, specializing in neuromodulator treatments, regenerative therapies such as PRP and exosomes, and comprehensive skin health.
Lissa believes true aesthetics are about enhancing—not changing—your natural beauty. Above all, she is committed to ensuring every client feels heard, never rushed, and cared for with the same compassion, honesty, and attention she would want for her own family.
Medical Director
James W. Cates, MD, FAAFP
James W. Cates, MD, FAAFP is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with more than 35 years of clinical experience caring for patients in emergency medicine, sports medicine, and regenerative medicine. He personally performs all PRP joint injections, combining extensive musculoskeletal expertise with a gentle, compassionate approach that helps patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their treatment.
Dr. Cates is known not only for his exceptional clinical skill but also for the kindness and genuine care he shows every patient. His calm bedside manner, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes make him a trusted choice for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) and a respected physician leader in Tennessee, he is dedicated to providing evidence-based regenerative treatments designed to reduce pain, improve function, and help patients return to the activities they love.
