Most doctors offices are staid and sterile, offering little in the way of decor or comfort.
But not the one occupied by Dr. Michelle Henry, M.D.
Fiji water bottles are perfectly arranged on a credenza; Jo Malone soaps sit in the bathroom.
Im really procedurally-oriented, she says.
I think that definitely makes me stand out.
The way Henry communicates be it with a patient, on television, or during interviews does too.
They would say, You seem like a really good friend who just happens to be really smart.
And so I always leaned into that.
That bedside manner has served Henry well.
They feel like theyre under a microscope when they have someone like me in their practice.
[But] we worked very slowly and very carefully.
A lot of lasers and injectables go on the market without being used on Black patients, she says.
They dont trust it.
Her patients do, however, trust her.
Were just optimizing procedures [to] get best outcomes.
I dont feel like Im being pushed products or services.
I dont feel like shes being condescending or speaking above my head.
My moms a nurse, she says, and I remember being little and going through her medical books.
A memory of attending Bring Your Daughter To Work day stands out in particular.
It was the greatest thing ever, she says.
I knew I was going to be a doctor.
We decided I was going to be a breast cancer specialist.
There, however, it became apparent that oncology wasnt her calling.
It was just too much emotion for me, she says.
I would spend my time in oncology wards crying.
Henry, however, has no problem going against the grain.
I tell patients no every day, she says.
I have patients that ask, just, can I do my lips today?
and Ill say, Were going to revisit in four months.
One patient told me shes going to start a hashtag, #drhenrytoldmeno, she says.
Thats silly, because you dont have their skin.
(Henry herself countsCeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser,Supergoop!
Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, andOlay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizeramong her favorite items.)
Sometimes I wake up and Im like, This is wild, she says.
The truth is, Im really shy.
Your patients dont care that your Instagram is great, she says.
They care that youre not going to burn them while youre filming the procedure.
