At the age of six, Caryl G. Mussenden decided to become a doctor who delivered babies. From that point, until the age of 24, her life was focused on reaching that goal. By that age, she had successfully completed her course work and was awarded a degree in medicine from Howard University College of Medicine in 1975.

 Dr. Mussenden has practiced obstetrics and gynecology in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since completing her residency at Georgetown University Hospital in 1979. She was the founding partner and president of the Women's OB-GYN Practice, an extremely prosperous practice in suburban Virginia which closed in 2001.  She was a practicing physician at NSL Center for Health & Healing in Suitland, Maryland for 2 years before moving into her present center. 

 She is a member of the following professional organizations:  Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Medical Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Liposuction Surgery.                                       

 In the last 3 Washingtonian Magazine polls of area physicians, she was selected as one of the top 100 physicians to whom they would send their family members. In the June, 2008 BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine, she was named one of the top 100 physicians in the country.  Dr. Mussenden has appeared on numerous television and radio programs discussing cosmetic & women’s issues.  Additionally, she has been quoted in several magazines, including McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal and Ebony regarding various health issues concerning women.  In 1996, she was honored by the auxiliary of the National Medical Association as an outstanding physician practitioner and for her many contributions to the profession.

 Dr. Mussenden is an avid promoter of empowering young girls and women to educate themselves about their bodies and their spirits so they can be responsible for their own health and well-being. Her many community and civic activities include the Youth at Risk Program until 1996 and Circle of Friends. Youth at Risk is an organization committed to empowering youth to choose positive goals in life. This was accomplished through a week long retreat where the youth were sequestered outside of Washington, D.C. Through training sessions, the youth got an opportunity to discover how to take control of their lives and make wise decisions, thus avoiding dangerous, illicit life styles or becoming non- productive members of society.

 She was the chairperson of Circle of Friends, a pilot project in Washington, D.C., funded by the Centers for Disease Control.  This project is targeted at low income, minority senior citizens and its goal is to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate from breast and cervical cancer in the population by encouraging regular testing and networking the information with their friends. A recent film was made concerning this pilot project, which is to be disseminated nationally for new programs to begin.

 Since 2003, Dr. Mussenden has pursued training and received certification for liposuction, mesotherapy, laser work and facial rejuvenation.  She opened a Medi Spa in December, 2006 where she performs this work as well as offers many spa services.

 In addition to her roles as a physician, community advocate and civic activist, Dr. Mussenden is married to Dr. Rodney Ellis, and is a mother of 4.