Dr. Briggs Cook is a Board-Certified surgeon specializing in eye and facial plastic surgery in Huntersville, North Carolina. With more than twenty years of experience in patient care, Dr. Cook has emerged as a leader in facial surgery, with clients boasting about his compassionate demeanor all over the internet.
Briggs Cook was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1967. As a child, he was active and constantly trying new things. His adventurous side introduced him to wakeboarding, mountain biking, golfing and whenever possible, skiing. He has shared these joys with his loving wife and their five children.
In 1985, Cook began his undergraduate career at Duke University, where he majored in chemistry and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Afterward, he continued his education at John Hopkins University School of Medicine. In 1995 Dr. Cook received his Doctor in Medicine degree. Dr. Cook went on to complete residencies, internships, and fellowships at Mayo Clinic and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Cook completed a two-year dual Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Cosmetic Facial Surgery and Eye and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Briggs Cook has always prioritized his patient’s need for time and understanding. His subsequent experiences led him to multiple hospitals, challenges, and new opportunities to help his patients. Wanting to be able to do more, he yearned for a change. In 2013, he stepped away from the established methods of helping patients and became a business owner as well. He founded Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and MedSpa located in Huntersville, NC. Currently, he is the Medical Director of Pure and continues to strive to uphold his goal of helping others look and feel fantastic. His goal is to help patients in North Carolina look and feel their best. This dedication has paid off and Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and MedSpa have become known as a premier plastic surgery center and medical day spa. To this end, the location offers both surgical and non-surgical services and day procedures with Dr. Briggs Cook overseeing every procedure. When his patients are satisfied, he knows he has done his job well.
This ambitious father of five continues to work hard for his patients daily while enabling each one of them to build their self-esteem and outlook on life.
Why did you choose to become a doctor?
All of my life I have been working to inspire other individuals to create a positive impact on the lives of others. This has inspired me to continue with my education, open my own business, and so on. As a doctor, I can have an impact on people that last a lifetime. I have never experienced anything as incredible as it feels to see my patients happy with the results of their surgery or procedures.
What area do you specialize in?
I specialize in Eye and Facial Plastic Surgery and Reconstruction. This has allowed me to help many rebuild their personal self-esteem as well as support the recovery of individuals from the impact of unexpected situations, such as trauma and skin cancer. It has been important to me to provide services that are minimally invasive, as this limits recovery time and ensures patients can get back to their daily routines as soon as possible. One popular procedure that I perform is called QuickLift. This is an innovative facelift technique that smooths the lines and jowls around the face and chin. It is nicknamed the Weekend Facelift as patients require minimal recovery time.
What is your daily routine?
Every morning I get up early, have a healthy breakfast, play with our young children and perhaps drop them off at school. and come to the office. Once I have reviewed the appointment and surgery scheduled for the day, I take time to return calls or emails. From there it is appointment by appointment. I do my best not to rush the day as each client is different and deserves the time to have all of their concerns heard and questions answered. I make it a priority that my clients understand their options and can make an educated decision on what procedure would be best for them.
What do you love about your job?
I love seeing how happy my patients are once we have completed a procedure, whether it be Botox, Facial Fillers, a minor or major surgery, or even Hair Restoration. Often we are fixing a part of their physical appearance that has caused them great grief, stress, or annoyance. Their gratefulness reminds me how much of a positive impact I can make. When I am able to speak with a patient who enters my office with a significant concern and I can give them an option that solves it, there is an immeasurable joy that becomes evident for both of us.
What would you consider to be the greatest accomplishment in your career?
That is a really good question. I think the biggest accomplishment is something I have the pleasure of encountering regularly. Each patient is a unique case and being able to help each individual patient and see their smiles and confidence afterward is a wonderful and rewarding accomplishment.
Tell our readers about some of your volunteer activities.
One of my activities includes something that impacts my family personally. Two of my children, Eli and Sophie Kate (6), have been diagnosed with PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep), a disorder triggered by the streptococcal virus. While trying to combat the virus, antibodies mistake proteins in the brain as the offender. This unfortunate condition leaves many children in a place where they are unable to function. It goes misdiagnosed as Autism and other co-morbid or mental health disorders more often than it should. In the case of very young children, it isn’t unheard of to be told it is something the child will grow out of. It would be great if that was how it worked, but it isn’t. This is an ongoing problem that needs to be treated properly. We remain ever diligent in PANDAS communities to offer support for families enduring this. Recently, I have been working with our local NC State Senator and US Senator to enact legislation to help PANDAS children receive the help they deserve.
You know your child best. If you see a sudden shift in personality or habits after a streptococcal encounter, have them tested for PANDAS. It doesn’t have to be the case that a child has had strep throat, as it can occur after other illness such as pneumonia, croup or even Lyme Disease.
It is important to myself and my wife to bring attention to this problem and its effect on the families who endure it.
What do you do in order to mentally separate yourself from your job?
My family is very important to me. Anytime that I am not working, I am with them. We enjoy every possible moment together. It is a joy to be able to travel and participate in community activities and watch my kids grow up into unique, intelligent, and hilarious individuals. I am also pleased to be an active supporter for those around us who understand the impact of having a child with unique needs.