Bermudian medical doctor and hair specialist Kyjuan Brown expects to quadruple the number of students in his education programme, thanks to new accreditation from the British Government.

Dr Brown’s Institute of Health Sciences — which provides training in clinical health, wellness and specialised aesthetics such as hair and scalp health, has received level 4 certification from the United Kingdom’s Vocational Training Charitable Trust.

“I have 26 students now and hope to have 75 to 100 students by this time next year,” he told The Royal Gazette.

His ultimate goal is to push for level 7, master’s degree level for doctors and medical professionals.

VTCT is a specialised awarding and assessment system that provides technical and vocational qualifications, particularly in hair, beauty and complementary therapies.

Level 4 is the equivalent of the rigour of the first year of university.

“This is huge,” Dr Brown said. “This is no longer just a ‘Dr Brown’ concept. We have now been externally validated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation.”

Dr Brown said this placed DBIHS among a network of more than 700 approved centres across more than 40 countries authorised to deliver internationally recognised vocational qualifications.

“We found that there is a gap in the market,” Dr Brown said. “Instead of just opening up an institution and being like all the others who don’t offer an accredited degree, we pushed for accreditation.”

For the medical doctor, receiving the designation goes deeper than institutional recognition. He sees it as personal validation.

Growing up in Middletown, Pembroke, he always wanted to be a doctor, but never envisioned himself becoming the president of an organisation such as DBIHS.

“My mother, Dawnette Brown, was the main driver to success in education,” he said. “We did what we had to do to survive and as a result I was able to go to college and become a doctor.”

He believes that education is the greatest equaliser.

“Every qualification you earn, every skill you develop and every opportunity to learn has the power to change the direction of your life,” he said. “If my story proves anything, it is that your circumstances don’t define your future — your commitment to learning does.”

The CedarBridge Academy graduate earned his medical doctorate at St George’s University School of Medicine, in St George's, Grenada, and did his medical residency in Britain.

He deepened his clinical expertise with a dermatology diploma and training as a master herbalist.

“Returning to the island was the easiest decision ever,” he said. “I was packed up two weeks before I was due to return. In Bermuda, I didn’t have to duck into buildings to dodge bullets. I have been practising medicine now for 17 or 18 years.”

His medical practice Northshore Medical & Aesthetics Centre was formed 14 years ago. He developed a special interest in dermatology and hair restoration a decade ago.

He expanded his business to South Africa in March, launching a new hair loss clinic in Sandton, Johannesburg, and Brown’s Institute of Health Sciences in Cape Town.

He welcomes professionals from a wide range of industries including hairdressers, barbers, braiders, salon owners, trichologists, aestheticians, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, wellness professionals, hair restoration specialists and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their knowledge and service offerings.

Dr Brown believes he is building a whole ecosystem there.

“I’m training my students in South Africa to treat their people locally,” he explained.

By now, he says his parents, including his father Hilton Brown, are proud, but have become used to his achievements.

“This is just another one of my many accomplishments,” he said. “But I’m grateful and humbled.”

He said he was always striving to improve and innovate.