What is your hometown, what brought you to the 

Pensacola Bay area, and how long have you been here?

I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended 

undergraduate and graduate school at the University of South 

Alabama. I was actively into windsurfi ng and sailing and, of 

course, the beautiful waters and beach access was attractive to 

me. I had worked in multiple cities but loved the small-town feel. 

I have been here 25+ years.

What is your profession and give a brief description of 

what you do.

I am owner of Still Waters Day and Medical Spa, a full-service 

day spa that also provides cosmetic medical procedures such as 

laser hair removal, chemical peels, and cosmetic injectables. I 

am nurse practitioner and perform many of these procedures. 

In addition, I am a national trainer for laser and injectable 

procedures.

What led you to choose this profession?

After 15 years of working as a nurse in ER and trauma nursing, I 

was ready for a change, but I still was attracted to a business that 

provides care for others. At Still Waters Day and Medical Spa, I 

was able to satisfy my desire and my staff’s desire to help people. 

Instead of helping people during medical crisis, we assist people 

with day to day transformational change; by disconnecting them 

from day to day stress with a relaxing massage, or by helping 

with confi dence boosting procedures to make them look and feel 

their best.

What do you like best about Pensacola? What makes it 

so unique?

I love the people! After living out west I knew I wanted the 

warmth of human interaction that is found in the South. But I 

didn’t want to embrace the Hollywood caricature of the South. 

In the city, I found a happy medium, but I have witnessed great 

changes in love and acceptance between races and religions 

here. Although key community leaders have stimulated much 

change by investing fi nancially in Pensacola, I see individuals 

making a difference with their service to others. Whether it is 

a street preacher investing time with the homeless, or a retired 

lady raising money to help those struggling with their power bill, 

people are behind the lines investing efforts in our community. 

I personally have benefi ted from that support by our faithful 

customers who keep their business local.  

Three words that best describe you. 

Optimistic, Fun-Loving, Introspective.

Favorite Things you like about Pensacola. 

Incredible beaches, pristine water, eclectic downtown shopping, 

church on every corner with varied faiths that come together for 

the good. 

I AM PENSACOLA because…

  

I am southern by birth, and by choice. Pensacola may not be my 

heritage, but God willing, it will always be my future, and my 

children’s future. My family is committed this multiheritage, 

beautiful city!

I AM PENSACOLA

Mary Anne Aanestad ARNP

photo by Kristina Wright

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