n l AT LUNCH WITH ...

BY JANET GIBSON UFFINGER
PHOTOS BY RACHAEL SANTILLAN

She remembers that I love Sting.

He’s here — on a large roll-down screen, performing with his band in a concert at his estate in Italy, the day after 9/11.

Thank you, Juleen.

And thank you for the beautifully set table — the white tablecloth, the sparkling glassware, the organic greens with grilled chicken, olive oil and balsamic, a medley of fresh fruit, and the nonalcoholic cranberry cocktail ...“Mrs. Uffinger, the last time you were in here, you mentioned Sting, so I thought you might enjoy this,” says Juleen, in her lovely St. Thomas accent.

Concierge Juleen Speaks prepares the ambiance before Dr. Dickerson’s arrival.

Juleen Speaks is a concierge, and she’s here to make sure everyone’s experience is beautiful and relaxing. You’d think I was in a four-star hotel. But this is Cape Fear Aesthetics, a medical day spa off Valleygate Drive in Fayetteville.

Juleen explains that the owner, Dr. Edward Dickerson, is running a little late because he is driving his three children and two nephews to a church choir practice on this Saturday. But here he comes — the man whom I call “Dr. D,” with that undeniable spring in his step.

He’s wearing a sharp single-breasted suit and patterned tie, hip glasses and shiny black shoes. >

I make like Joan Rivers on the red carpet and ask Dr. D “who” he’s wearing.

The guy obviously isn’t into labels.

“I’m a bargain hunter!” he confesses. “I like not too flashy, and never gaudy.”

That philosophy — along with a commitment to making people feel special — resonates at his spa, which is right next door to his ear, nose and throat practice. He’s also a board certified facial plastic surgeon. (Andrea, his wife, has her ob/gyn practice upstairs).

We sit down to lunch, and Dr. D excuses himself for a few seconds to say a quick silent prayer to bless the food.
And he thanks Juleen ... “You rock, you rock!” he says.

SERIOUS AND FUNNY

Dr. D has spoken at all three of our NEXT! Magazine Senior Expos. Each time, I make the same comparison: “You’re like a game show host.”

He smiles.

Yet, during our luncheon, I see more of a serious side to Dr. D — particularly when he talks about his “sweetheart extraordinaire” wife and their children, whom he enjoys chauffeuring to various music lessons, martial arts or gymnastics.

Lifelong learning — the book kind and the creative kind — seems to be a common thread in his character.

Born in Westchester County, New York, just north of “the city,” he says education was stressed in the Dickerson household. His father was a principal of an alternate high school in the South Bronx. His mother was dean of Mercy College, and she became a substitute teacher after retiring.

For his undergraduate studies, Dickerson says he chose West Virginia State College because generations of family members had gone there, and the college “offered me a full scholarship. And I had two brothers behind me that needed to go to college.”

Dickerson graduated from medical school at Morehouse in Atlanta, and became a doctor in the U.S. Army, which is how he eventually arrived at Fort Bragg. Fayetteville became home.

He is deeply committed to making the community a better place.

“Either we’re going to be an All-American city or take down the sign!” he says.

Dickerson and Dr. Eric Mansfield (their practice is Cape Fear Otolaryngology) don’t blow their horns. It takes a lot to get them to admit what many know around town: that they give 10 percent of what they earn back to community causes. Children and education are tops on their lists.

Last year, they formed The Fathers Foundation, which is committed to helping children with education costs. A group of movers and shakers serves on their board. On Sept. 15, they’ll be hosting a Latin-theme fund-raiser at Methodist College.

“Eric and I say we can’t take from this community without giving back,” says Dr. D.

FACE TIME

The motto of Cape Fear Aesthetics is “changing the face of Fayetteville.” That can mean a number of things to Dickerson: Creating a positive image of people and place, giving back to good causes, leading by example.

Or it could mean his passion for facial plastic surgery.

“I can do eyelid surgery in the time it takes to get a cavity filled,” he says, with enthusiasm. “I can do a nose job faster than most women can get their hair colored.”

He’s trying to prove a point.

This is not your mother’s plastic surgery.

Methods, materials and equipment have improved dramatically over the years, making “touch-ups” and even major cosmetic improvements much easier and quicker.

Not to mention private.

At his spa, there are private passages, so people can enter and exit without being seen. Procedures are done in comfortable rooms that are fully equipped. An anesthesiologist is called in, as necessary. It’s common for women and men to come here on their lunch breaks — for Botox.

“Privacy, privacy, privacy!” says Dr. D. “We are here to take care of people.”

Indeed. n

BIO

Name: Dr. Edward E. Dickerson IV, who often goes by the nickname “Dr. D.”

Hometown: Grew up as the son of educators in Peekskill, N.Y., about a half-hour north of New York City.

Occupation: Fayetteville ear, nose and throat doctor, board certified as a facial plastic surgeon, and owner of Cape Fear Aesthetics Medical Spa.

Family: Wife, Andrea, is an obstetrician/gynecologist; daughters, Adriana, 12, and Theresa, 9; and son Edward V, aka “Cinco,” age 7.

Passion: Giving back to the community 10 percent of all monies earned, along with his medical partner Dr. Eric Mansfield. Mansfield and Dickerson created the nonprofit Fathers Foundation to help kids who want to pursue an education, but might not be able to afford it. ( log on: fathersfoundation.com.)

Quotable: “You don’t need to be important. Do important things.”