Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. David Bogue.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story starts back at the University of Michigan. I was originally studying computer engineering. Medicine was never really in my mind as a career choice. However, as these things tend to happen, a roommate of mine was trying to establish a university based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program and needed students to train to become EMTs. I signed up for that class, received my EMT license, and began volunteering with a local ambulance company. When I entered my senior year of college, I began to have second thoughts regarding engineering – I enjoyed the creative parts, but the day to day routine wasn’t my cup of tea. The times I spent on the ambulance however were nothing but exciting. I thought perhaps that medicine might be a better career choice. I stuck around for an additional year, took my pre-med classes, the MCAT, and still graduated Magna Cum Laude in Engineering. I continued on at the University of Michigan for medical school.
In medical school, I had the same late career choice as I had in undergrad. Typically, most medical students either know what they want to do going into school, or they decide early on. It took me until the beginning of my 4th year, just months before residency interviews, before I decided upon Plastic Surgery as a career. At the time, only 75 Plastic Surgery residencies positions existed, but there were 350 applicants. I was fortunate to match at Georgetown University Hospital – a six year integrated program and one of the best training programs in the country. I performed ~4000 surgeries during those six years and developed my skills in both the reconstructive side of plastic surgery as well as the cosmetic side.
My wife and I moved to Boca Raton following residency in 2008. Like most Northerners, we came for the weather! I have spent most of my life digging my car out of snow and ice, so South Florida seemed like a wonderful alternative. I have established a thriving Plastic Surgery practice which focuses on breast reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, and wound care. I have served at Boca Raton Regional Hospital as the Vice Chief of Surgery from 2012-2015 and as the Chief of Surgery from 2015-2017.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were many struggles along the way. When applying for medical schools, most interviews I had asked why they should enroll a computer engineer in their medical school rather than a biology major. Most of my fellow applicants had family members who were doctors. I would explain that engineering is not that different from medicine – you are presented with a problem and use logic and science to reach a solution. Unfortunately, they must not have seen it that way because day after day I continued to receive letters saying, “Thank you for your interest in our medical school, but unfortunately we do not have room for you in our class this year.” It felt as though all the hard work I had put in would end up with nothing. That was until I heard from the University of Michigan, one of my final interviews. Thankfully, many of the physicians I interviewed with at UofM had degrees in non-traditional medical school disciplines. They understood how a diversity of students in a medical school could lead to physicians with a diversity in treatment approaches. Once in medical school, I was determined to prove that I belonged. I studied longer, read more, and was always the last to leave the hospital. That diligence paid off when I was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society in my fourth year. I finally felt acceptance that I was meant to be a doctor.
David Bogue MD Plastic Surgery – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have a solo private practice in Boca Raton. This year will mark our 10th year in business. In plastic surgery, our patients are either reconstructive (medically necessary/cancer reconstruction/trauma/etc.) or cosmetic (elective procedures). My practice focuses equally between these two groups of patients. On a reconstructive basis, I am primarily known for breast reconstruction following breast cancer. I work very closely with my breast surgery colleagues and the Lynn Cancer Institute where I am an active member of the weekly tumor board. Also, I see patients at the Gloria Drummond Wound Care Center two half-days a week treating all sorts of chronic and acute wounds. On the cosmetic side, I specialize in cosmetic breast surgery (breast implants, lifts, reductions) and body contouring (liposuction and tummy-tucks). I also perform a large number of facial cosmetic procedures from surgery (facelifts/necklifts/eyelids) to non-invasive treatments such as Botox or fillers.
I am most proud of the fact that I built my practice from the ground up. When I first arrived in Boca Raton, my patient population was almost exclusively from the local emergency rooms. However, I reached out to the physicians in my area and promised that I would always be available to them and treat their patients like family. To this day, we never double book a patient, I still spend upwards of 90 minutes with new breast cancer patients, and our primary advertising is word of mouth. What sets my practice apart is the focus on the patient rather than “the bottom line.” A large number of my patients are family members of the physicians and staff that I work with! There is no higher compliment than that level of trust for a plastic surgeon!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is defined by multiple factors. Most people define success in financial terms. While I agree this is important to the overall business (you can’t achieve any other success if you can’t keep the doors open), what’s more important to me is whether I achieve the mission statement of my company. Our goal is to provide excellent care in a comfortable environment while exceeding the expectations of the patient. We look at different markers for different patients; e.g. a reconstruction marker may be whether the wound or defect is functionally repaired. Cosmetic patient markers are usually satisfaction related – would they refer our practice to friends and family? Many of my patients fall under both – for instance our breast reconstruction patients have both aesthetic concerns and reconstructive concerns. Because the markers are often in flux between patients, defining success is a daily, case by case exercise.
Pricing:
- Breast Augmentation – Starting at $4300 for saline, $4900 for silicone – All inclusive pricing
Contact Info:
- Address: David Bogue MD Plastic Surgery
660 Glades Road
Suite 380
Boca Raton, FL 33431 - Website: www.drbogue.com
- Phone: 561-886-1000
- Email: drbogue@drbogue.com
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
