Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Ekpo and Joseph Claiborne.
Hi Felicia and Joseph, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Dr. Ekpo:
I was inspired to help others after a devastating experience occurred when my sister visited my grandmother in Nigeria. My older sister complained of red spots on her skin and went to the village clinic. Unfortunately after it was too late, it was diagnosed as Typhoid Fever, but she soon passed. After my sister died, I was inspired to go into dermatology to prevent other families from experiencing what we went through. I learned that the skin is the lens to internal manifestations. I graduated Summa cum laude from Langston University, and then gained admission to Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I graduated with Honors. I then completed a dual accredited residency program at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Michigan for Dermatology as the first black dermatology resident in the program. While in this position I was appointed as assistant faculty at Michigan State University College of Medicine and had the privilege of teaching medical students in the field of Dermatology. I always had a burning passion to help my patients with their dermatological hair loss disorders and skin of color treatment since there was a major need for this. To achieve this I conducted hair loss research at The Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Wilma Bergfield, completed additional training in Skin and Color Dermatology at Heidelberg Dermatology in Detroit, MI, and Hair Restoration Surgery training at Yates Hair Transplant Hair Science in Chicago, IL. I am currently a member of The International Hair Restoration Society and currently work at Doctor Edged Hair Restoration, Dermatology, Aesthetics and Wellness fulfilling my passion to inspire others to restore their hair & skin, confidence, and edges.
Dr. Claiborne:
As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a doctor. I have always loved science and the wonders of the human body. I had gone to various science camps and even went to Space Camp as a kid. Additionally, I was a two-sport athlete throughout high school and earned an athletic scholarship in track and football. I did well at Howard, but my true passion has always been in medicine and helping people achieve a better life. After graduating from Howard University, I became a personal trainer to gain more knowledge about the human body and its limits. I wanted to truly cultivate my passion for medicine, I then took the MCAT and was accepted to Meharry Medical College. After graduating, I went on to do Internal Medicine at DMC Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. While there, I obtained my certificate in Functional Medicine from The Cleveland Clinic. Upon graduating residency, I worked as a primary care physician at Doctor Edges Hair Restoration, Dermatology Aesthetics and Wellness fulfilling my passion to inspire others to restore their health and wellness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Dr. Ekpo:
No, this journey has not been a smooth road. There have been struggles that I have endured along the way, but this made me a better physician for my patients. During medical school my father suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke while I was in medical school. This was a very difficult time for me as I wanted to be there to care for him, which was difficult during the rigorous training of medical school. Sadly, my father passed away while I was in medical school. I did not think that I could continue my journey to become a physician after losing one of the most important people in my life. I found the motivation to keep pushing because my father’s dream was to see me pursue my passion of becoming a medical doctor. Being a minority in medicine, especially in the field of dermatology, and furthermore in the field of hair transplantation posed challenges along the way. There were times I was not afforded opportunities due to my skin color, but this motivated me to continue to excel in my education and be at the top of my class. I trusted that the right places for me would see my kind heart and look beyond my skin color. God afforded me the opportunity to be the first black dermatology resident in my residency and opened doors for me to conduct hair loss research at The Cleveland Clinic with one of the world renowned hair loss experts, Dr. Wilma Bergfeld . Further, a core passion of mine is to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion for African Americans in dermatology and medicine. Less than 2% of all dermatologists are black, and most dermatologists unfortunately lack training in skin and color dermatology.
Dr. Claiborne:
I had a nontraditional journey to becoming a doctor and my starting point was different than most. Firstly, I am the first and only physician in my family. Secondly, being a two-sport collegiate athlete divided my time between my pre-medical studies and athletic obligations to become a physician. At an early age I was passionate about wellness and health. This inspired me to become a physician while maintaining my health as an athlete. Unfortunately, I endured an injury that ended my athletic career early. This was a difficult time for me, but I used this challenging time to become a personal trainer to improve the wellness and health of others before becoming a doctor. I am thankful to my parents for encouraging me, my community, and my clients as a personal trainer for these nontraditional experiences, to become a well-rounded physician to take care of all of my patient’s needs.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dr. Ekpo
I am a board-certified dermatologist with sub-specialization in surgical and non-surgical hair restoration, including hair transplant surgery, and skin-of-color dermatology. I treat all aspects of dermatology, including general, surgical, cosmetic, and pediatric dermatology. My main focus is restoring my patient’s wellness and confidence. I am known for reviving lost hair “edges” in my patients. A fun fact about me is that I am a Former Beauty Pageant Queen and model with Focus Model Talent Management Agency. My beauty pageant talent was magic tricks. I am most proud of being a wife and mother to 4 beautiful children. What sets me apart from other dermatologists is in addition to my dermatology training, I have extensive expertise in hair restoration to fulfill my passion to diagnose and treat hair loss disorders to boost my patient’s self-esteem.
Dr. Claiborne:
I am a board-certified internal medicine physician sub-specialization in Functional Medicine & hair transplant surgery. I have an extensive knowledge of health and fitness because of my personal training experience. My priorities are to deliver better health without the interruption of health insurance while restoring patients’ hair. What sets me apart is that I have learned to handle 90% of patients’ medical needs by finding the root cause of their complaints, while doing this affordably. I love being a doctor, but I am most proud to be a husband to Dr. Ekpo and father to our 4 kids.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Dr. Ekpo:
I thank God every day for the opportunity to help people restore their hair, skin, and confidence. I am strong in my Christian faith, and I attribute all of my success to Jesus Christ. I pray everyday over my patients and business.
Dr. Claiborne:
Each day, I am thankful to God for the opportunity to support people in their health journeys. Being a primary care doctor and playing a role in my patients’ lives is a great privilege. My strong Christian faith is central to who I am, and I attribute all my successes to Jesus Christ. I commit to praying daily for both my patients and my practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedoctoredges.com
- Instagram: @doctor_edges and @pagingdrjoe
- Facebook: Doctor Edges
- Youtube: @doctoredges
- Tiktok: @doctor_edges
- Other: https://growthpartner.nutrafol.com/pages/DoctorEdgesHairRestoration and
https://thedoctoredges.janeapp.com/
