and after his second interview decided it was time to make his final move Chico. They were attracted to the beauty of Chico, the university setting, and the charming bucolic lifestyle. Dr. Hodari began his practice as a board certified dermatologist at North Valley Dermatology in August 2011 and has built one of the most successful medical practices since, treating a full spectrum of ages and dermatological conditions. What started as general care of acne and skin aberrations, Dr. Hodari’s practice has grown significantly with nearly 30% of his business now stemming from cosmetic offerings like chemical peels, botox, and fillers. The practice has focused heavily on skin cancer as well, as it is one of the more rampant diseases in our area. One-in-five Americans will develop skin cancer over the course of their lifetime, and though this disease could prove to be fatal, early detection increases patient survival rates to 98%. Dr. Hodari’s early skin cancer screenings over the past five years have helped numerous patients combat this disease from early onset, when it is most treatable.
The Art of Beauty Five years is a considerable amount of time to most folks. Often associated with the standard length of time necessary in reaching a life goal such as a college degree or wedding anniversary, five years can seem like an eternity to many. In the business world, however, five years is a drop in the bucket. For most businesses, five years is the turning point in deciding whether the endeavor is actually viable or whether it’s an unprofitable hobby. To develop a new business in a new town, build an impressive list of clients, expand that business into another city, and purchase an existing business to further expand your own is something most business people would only dream of accomplishing during a lifetime in business. For local dermatologist, Dr. Kafele Hodari, it’s what he has accomplished in the past five years. Born in San Francisco, California has always been home to Dr. Hodari, though he spent a fair amount of his life outside of it. His father, a former college football player, moved the family to Michigan when Kafele entered the fifth grade to pursue a master’s degree in advertising at Michigan State. The moves continued onto Iowa and Ohio before Kafele graduated from high school, eventually moving back to Iowa to attend Grinnell College, a 1,200 student private university. Like his father, he too played college football, but
found himself drawn to a career in medicine. He returned to Ohio after college to attend medical school, completing a master’s degree in business during his time there. In 2005, medical residency took Kafele to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, where he decided to study internal medicine. Two short months after arriving, he found himself face-to-face with the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. A medical resident, Kafele was forced to mature professionally far faster than normal, caring for forty patients each day during the storm and its aftermath in a hospital crowded beyond capacity and thrown into utter chaos. Surviving the disaster himself, he went on to complete his three years of residency at Ochsner Hospital while contributing to the rebuilding of New Orleans. Finally, he decided to specialize in Dermatology and completed three years at Tulane University Hospital before returning his sights on California. Having lived in both large cities and very small college towns during his journey, Kafele began his search for the perfect mediumsized town. Through this search he was introduced, by a mutual colleague, to Dr. Richey at North Valley Dermatology in Chico. He visited with his wife, a gifted runner who unsurprisingly fell in love with Bidwell Park,
Determined to provide the perfect marriage of art and science to enhance beauty, Dr. Hodari kept his sights trained on the bigger picture since beginning his practice in 2011. Working side-by-side with local dermatology legend and co-founder of North Valley Dermatology, Dr. Donald Richey, Dr. Hodari was given the opportunity to learn more about the cosmetic and aesthetic side of the dermatology field. During his time at North Valley Dermatology, Dr. Richey mentored Dr. Hodari and groomed him to eventually take over Rejuvené, his thriving cosmetic practice of 16 years. In January of this year, Dr. Hodari did just that, thereby expanding his business to include Chico’s most recognizable medical spa. Over the past six months, Kafele has worked to bring a fresh and youthful perspective to the business, focusing on cutting edge technology and new procedural techniques. Opening the doors to his dynamic staff, Kafele has created a genuine meritocracy within the business, encouraging and empowering each member to bring their ideas to the table with the mission of making Rejuvené even more customercentric and results-oriented. The move has proved to be well-timed, as the business has grown steadily under his leadership. At the heart of Rejuvené are four main categories of expertise: skin care products, laser and light treatments, injectables, and spa services. The combining of these categories ensures that customers receive the most effective anti-aging regimen possible, and all in one location.
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