Miami, FL - The most renowned Turkish bath in the world, which first opened its doors 161 years ago on October 3, 1863, in Brooklyn Heights, New York, has made its grand reentry. Originally launched by Charles Shepard, an expert in hydrotherapy, the bath became a pioneering establishment. By 1867, Shepard opened a second bath on the same street, transforming the original into a women's bath. This setup created a classic hamam experience with separate facilities for men and women at different times of the day. According to research by Malcolm Shifrin, this bath complex garnered significant attention and acclaim upon its opening.
Dr. Shepard was inspired by a Turkish bath that opened in Ireland in 1859 when he integrated the Turkish bath concept into his clinic in the United States, introducing the American audience to this unique bathing tradition.
New York City’s first Turkish bath opened in 1865 at 13 Laight Street, founded by Dr. Martin L. Holbrook, Dr. A. L. Wood, and Dr. Eli P. Miller.

Totowa, NJ - Dr. Nalan Oncul opened her clinic, 20/20 Eyecare, in Totowa, New Jersey, in 2019 as a young doctor starting out on her journey. Over the course of five years, 20/20 Eyecare has seen a significant increase in clientele and has become more widely recognized in the surrounding area. During this time, the clinic has achieved a remarkable feat of receiving five-star ratings from all patients who left Google reviews. Patients not only from local New Jersey residences but also from neighboring cities and states have visited the clinic for treatment.

As a first-generation immigrant and naturalized American, Duden Freeman had an early life marked by moving countries and attending international schools. This environment, surrounded by children of diplomats and multinational executives, instilled in Freeman the idea that traveling, living, and working overseas was normal. In hindsight, this experience was a privilege that deeply influenced a diverse career, which spanned various roles and continents, ultimately leading to the U.S. diplomatic corps. The entrepreneurial spirit required to navigate different countries also fostered a desire to become an entrepreneur. This culminated in founding Idelire Consulting after a tenure with the Department of State, allowing Freeman to bridge cultures and serve others while fulfilling entrepreneurial aspirations.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Dr. Banu Onaral came from a lineage deeply rooted in innovation. Her mother, Şükûfe Demirağ, was the daughter of Nuri Demirağ, a pioneer in Turkish aviation and industry, while her father, Mehmet Kum, was one of Turkey’s first aircraft engineers and pilots. This environment nurtured her passion for learning and exploration from an early age. Dr. Onaral attended Notre Dame de Sion French Girls’ High School in Istanbul and pursued higher education at Boğaziçi University, earning a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 1978. Joining Drexel University in 1981, she became the H. H. Sun Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and later, the Founding Director of Drexel’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems.