Staff

Ashley Baquero, MD

Dr. Ashley Baquero received his medical degree as cum laude from the University Autonomous of Santo Domingo. His surgical career began as a surgical intern at Presbyterian Medical Center University of Pennsylvania and then completed his surgical residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Temple University. He went on to complete a fellowship in transplant surgery at the Medical College of Virginia (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. After 30 years board certification of the American Board of Surgery, Dr. Baquero is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. He has written over 25 scientific articles in national and international journals, as well as a book chapter. He is actively engaged with several organizations to fight against transplant tourism and organ trafficking, assuring an ethical practice of transplantation around the world.

He was President of the Transplant Society of Latin America and the Caribbean from 2010-2012.

He has given back to his native country of the Dominican Republic by performing the first kidney transplant in 1986 and maintaining a charity foundation since 1988. He served as Medical Advisor to the President of the Dominican Republic from 2000-2004. Dr. Baquero has had interest in vein disease for many years, and before opening his own practice, worked with one of the largest vein organizations in the country.

As a surgeon with extensive experience in transplant and vascular procedures, he has a clear understanding of the anatomy and diseases of your blood vessels. This experience and his refined use of minimally invasive procedures allows him to meet the needs of each patient by treating a wide spectrum of venous insufficiency from the smallest spider vein to the larger varicose veins and skin ulcers.

Luan Tran, MD

Dr. Luan Tran is originally from the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Growing up, he always wanted to be a physician. Right after High School, he was accepted into an Accelerated Combined Bachelor of Arts and Medical Degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dr. Tran graduated with Honors from the program. He also received his Board Certification in Emergency Medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

He practiced Emergency Medicine both in the Military and the private sector. Dr. Tran is very proud of his service in the military as a Major in the United States Air Force. During his career in the Air Force, he served as Medical Director of the Emergency Medical service at Scott Air Force Base, IL. He then practiced in the Hampton, Virginia area prior to joining Vein Clinics of America.

Dr. Tran has been treating vein disease exclusively in the Triangle since 2003. Dr. Tran brings with him 14 years of expertise in the treatment of vein disease in the Raleigh/Durham area. He is a Diplomate in the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. He brings with him the philosophy of providing the most comprehensive vein treatments by using the most advanced minimally invasive nonsurgical technology along with dedicated and compassionate care to give his patients the most optimal care. He is very excited about being able to provide his patients with safe and effective non-surgical treatments to a very common disease that is very often underappreciated by the medical community.

Dr. Tran resides in Cary, NC with his wife and two daughters. His hobbies include photography, gardening, tennis, golf, and scuba ping. 

Gwena Morgan, RN

Gwena has been a practicing R.N. since 1996. Since January 2007 she has been treating patients as a nurse sclerotherapist. She has 11 years’ experience in helping her patient’s legs look and feel better by treating their reticular (blue green surface veins) and spider veins. Gwena enjoys the opportunity to see patients through their treatment process at Carolina Vein Institute. Making a connection with patients and helping to keep their vein disease under control is important to her. She is now expanding her cosmetic knowledge to neurotoxins (i.e. Botox^®, Dysport^®, etc.) and dermal fillers (i.e. Juvederm^®, Restylane^®, etc.) that help clients with facial wrinkles and aging.

Gwena lives in Wake Forest with her husband Frank and teenage son Banks. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her son play hockey, converting reclaimed wood into furniture and artwork with her family, reading, knitting, needlework and spending time with close friends and family.

Katie Smith, RVT

Katie graduated from Florida State University and has been working in the medical field for 4 years. As a Registered Vascular Technologist, she enjoys being a part of a medical team that puts patient care first. In her free time, Katie enjoys playing the harp and spending time with friends and family.

Toni Curtis, RVT & RDSC

Toni holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Radford University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cardiovascular Sonography from Johnston Community College. She is a Registered Vascular Technologist and Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer with ten years of experience in the medical field. Toni enjoys her role in improving patient’s quality of life by helping identify venous insufficiency and assisting in the treatment of venous disease. Witnessing both the relief from physical symptoms, as well as the increased self confidence that vein treatment provides our patients, are her favorite aspects of being a member of the CVI team. Toni grew up in the mountains of Virginia and now calls Fuquay-Varina home. She enjoys spending time with her three children having as much fun as possible!

Kisha White, RPhS

Kisha is a medical sonographer and Registered Phlebology Sonographer with 14 years of experience in Vein Mapping of the superficial venous system for diagnosis and treatment of varicose vein disease. She spends her spare time with family and friends and especially loves spending time with her daughter as a cheer mom.

Kelli Baquero, Practice Manager

Kelli, together with her husband, founded Carolina Vein Institute in 2012 as the Practice Manager. She and her husband, Dr. Baquero, have two sons, Ryan and Patrick. In her free time, Kelli enjoys exercising, exploring new places with her family and spending time at the beach.

Kelli Crouch, Raleigh Office Manager

Kelli brings over 20 years of experience in sales and management and 10years in healthcare management to the Carolina Vein Institute team which she joined in 2017. She brings her energy and love for people to CVI every day. Kelli welcomes all into a warm and inviting environment with the most experienced vein team in the triangle area.

Kelli and her daughter live in Cary, NC where they are active in their church and Molli’s school. Kelli is an avid reader, enjoys practicing yoga and is learning to love running again. She and Molli both enjoy the summer and taking trips to the NC coast.