Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Morgan.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My full name is Brandon Morgan. I am an Atlanta native and I grew up in Southwest Atlanta. Like our parents, my brother and I pursued careers in science related fields. I am an orthodontist and my brother, Jay Morgan, is a medical doctor. I attended Benjamin E. Mays Highschool and Emory University for my early education, where I was able to participate in things that I enjoy most. They include; the arts (music), leadership, social impact/community service, and travel. At Mays, I was heavily involved in student leadership and band. I played the tuba, held student government positions and competed in academic competitions, particularly science and math.
I was awarded a full scholarship to Emory University (Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship), where I majored in biology. I pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity while at Emory. My leadership skills and participation with civic organizations and initiatives continued as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. I held the position of chapter president, educational programming chair and step master. I planned our largest philanthropic event, Step for Sickle Cell while a member of the chapter.
My interest in dentistry/orthodontics began around the age of 12. Having a cousin and uncle in the field and wearing braces myself helped spark my interest. By the time I entered college, I knew I wanted to become an orthodontist. I attended summer programs, pursued mentorship and shadowed dentists to gain exposure and experience. After graduating from Emory, I taught physical and Environmental Science at Mundy’s Mill High School. I gained acceptance into Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee from 2009.
Meharry was truly a blessing. At Meharry, I was not only able to train to become a dentist, but also be surrounded by professionals, professors, colleagues and peers with similar professional interests (dentistry) and an interest in supporting and inspiring one another. I participated with Collegiate 100, Alpha Phi Alpha Chi Chapter and several other dental professional organizations. My academic performance allowed me to gain acceptance into the Orthodontic Residency Program at Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington D.C.
I returned to Atlanta after graduating from Howard to start an orthodontic Medicaid program for Beautiful Smiles Dental Centers. The orthodontic department at Beautiful Smiles has grown tremendously since 2013. I am one of very few orthodontic providers in the state (probably 4). To date, I am responsible for the treatment for over 2,000 patients in the Medicaid system. I have also worked for other practices since my return.
My most recent achievement within the field is the establishment of my own orthodontic practice in the Summerhill community, Iconic Orthodontics. Iconic Orthodontics is a progressive orthodontic office that provides a non-traditional, progressive, fun and comfortable experience for its’ patients. Our clinic was designed to meet the needs of both adult and pediatric patients. Our staff is friendly and fun and we have incorporated many non-traditional perks that create a unique experience for our patients. We treat all ages and specialize in providing customized treatment and financial plans. Iconic Orthodontics opened at the beginning of November. Iconic is located at 59 Georgia Avenue, across from Halfway Crooks and Big Softie.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Becoming an orthodontist was challenging. My journey required 10 additional years of education and training after high school and a significant financial investment. I faced several challenges, most presented while trying to gain acceptance into dental school. Getting into dental school was extremely difficult. To get in you must have a competitive grade point average and exceptional scores on standardized tests.
In college, I had to figure out how to balance social engagement, involvement with on-campus organizations like fraternity and personal responsibilities with my academic pursuits. I was forced to develop time management and study skills and became a master at multi-tasking and handling stress. I was forced to make social and financial sacrifices. In addition, I was forced to think creatively and develop a good work ethic when trying to find a way to fund my education. Orthodontics is considered one of the most competitive dental specialties to get into. Mentorship and the skills that I developed early on in college helped to alleviate many of the issues that I encountered while trying to enter a competitive profession like orthodontics that is overwhelmingly dominated by Caucasian men.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Iconic Orthodontics?
Iconic Orthodontics is an Orthodontic practice is Summerhill, Southeast Atlanta. It is located at 59 Georgia Avenue and opened this November. At Iconic we provide a non-traditional, progressive, fun and relaxing experience for our patients. Patient experience drives our operation and was heavily considered in its’ creation. Everything from the office design to services and treatment plans were created with the patient’s wants, needs and desires in mind. We serve patients of all ages and demographics. To provide the best and most comfortable experience for our patients we have dedicated areas of the practice to particular age groups. We have both pediatric and adult areas. The decor in both areas are reflective of that age group.
We also invest in training and continued education in order to stay abreast of the latest and most current developments in the field. We utilize state of the art technology to formulate accurate and reliable diagnosis and treatment plans. Our office houses a 3D planmeca x-ray unit and Itero digital scanner for model impressions.
Iconic offers comprehensive orthodontic services. Our services include, clear/ceramic braces, traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, Phase I and II orthodontic treatment, surgical orthodontic treatment, habit correction therapy, teeth whitening and other treatments like fabrication of mouth guards and retainers. Our ultimate goal is to create Iconic smiles and meet every need of all of our patients.
The Iconic team consists of myself, well-trained and professional orthodontic assistants and the best administrative staff in the city. Our office design and ambiance is inspired by a coffee shop. We have a wifi area, coffee bar and plenty of varied seating for our patients’ comfort.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice would be to invest adequate energy and time into getting to know yourself, your wants, needs and dreams. Once this understanding has been reached, execute a plan with passion and focus. I learned at an early age that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Also, understand that everyone has their own unique path, which struggle and complications are often a part of. These difficult experiences are opportunities for growth and are often blessings in disguise- leading to bigger and better outcomes that are created solely for us.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@iconicortho.com
- Website: Iconicorthodontics.
com - Instagram: iconicorthodontics
- Facebook: Iconic Orthodontics
Image Credits
Alex D Rogers
Ameer Linthicum
