Meet Agnes Usoro, MD | Board Certified Physician; Medical Director, River Oaks Galleria Medspa

We had the good fortune of connecting with Agnes Usoro, MD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Agnes, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
River Oaks Galleria (ROG) Medspa was inspired by the cancer journeys of my parents – IB and Anie Usoro. IB Usoro is a survivor of prostate cancer, and Anie Usoro is a survivor of colorectal cancer. In their remission, both embarked upon a journey of self care to reclaim and revive their health and wellness – physically, mentally, and spiritually, as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can have long lasting effects on an individual’s skin health, gut health, functional capacity, and psyche.

My passion for aesthetics was inspired by an intimate interaction with my dear late friend Pulchery, who passed away from stage IV colorectal cancer. She was the same age as me. In the days leading up to her passing, her only wish was to look her best and have her hair done. Unfortunately, she did not make it to the hair appointment I had scheduled for her, and that guilt has had a longstanding impact on me. It reinforced my belief that LOOKING and FEELING your best go hand-in-hand, even when life is most challenging.

Cancer has hit too close to home for me, and is the reason I am passionate about Cancer Early Detection, which is a cornerstone service in our Wellness Program at River Oaks Galleria (ROG) Medspa.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician with passions for emergency care in low-resourced settings, social equity and the social determinants of health, real estate and entrepreneurship, complementary and alternative medicine, as well as regenerative health, wellness and aesthetics.

My professional path has been defined by a relentless curiosity and a passion for bridging the worlds of medical expertise and holistic wellness. Before founding my medspa, I spent years immersed in clinical settings—learning the science behind emergency care delivery. But recently, my curiosity in regenerative medicine has lead down the path of aesthetics and integrative medicine. I now value studying emerging regenerative therapies. What distinguishes me is this dual lens: I approach every service from both a medical-technical standpoint and a deeply human one. I’m just as focused on the evidence behind a treatment (for example, why exosomes work at the cellular level) as I am on creating an environment where a client feels truly cared for—mind, body, and spirit.

I’m most proud of translating complex regenerative protocols into treatments that feel approachable and empowering for our clients. Designing signature experiences—like a microneedling + PDRN combo that not only drives real collagen remodeling but also feels luxurious—has been incredibly rewarding. Launching our Beauty Bank & Elite membership programs was another milestone: it’s a tiered system that incentivizes consistency, encouraging clients to invest long-term in their skin health rather than chasing one-off “quick fixes.” Seeing our memberships grow month after month reminds me that people value a medspa that educates and partners with them, rather than just selling treatments.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy—especially since I began with minimal formal business training. I knew the science of Botox, laser physics, and peptide infusions inside and out, but running a P&L statement? Drafting a room-rental contract? Marketing on social media? Those were all new territories. In the early days, I juggled late nights teaching myself basic accounting, attending local small-business workshops, and leaning heavily on mentors— who walked me through hiring protocols and risk management, and an operations consultant who helped me build our initial staff training manuals.

When a vendor error nearly derailed our first big marketing campaign, I realized the importance of detailed checklists—something we now implement at every step, from inventory orders to client follow-ups. Those challenges taught me two critical lessons: stay humble (there’s always more to learn) and build systems early, even if they feel like “overkill” at first.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I grew up in Houston and the surrounding Houston area but also call the DMV home. If a close friend came to visit me in H-town, I’d start our trip – Day 1 – in the Galleria area. We would do breakfast at Common Bond Cafe & Bakery and then stroll the River Oaks Shopping District. We can then venture over to Lucille’s in the Museum District to have lunch and visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. For dinner, we’d venture back to River Oaks and eat at Brennan’s of Houston and have a Nightcap at Anvil Bar & Refuge in Montrose.

Day 2 – we’d venture to Sugar Land where I grew up. We would grab breakfast in the Sugar Land Town Square and then spend the afternoon strolling there. We’d then drive around the city and I’d show her my favorite spots and activities growing up, and possibly drive by my old schools. We can take a long stroll catching up at Oyster Creek Park, and then have dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse, ending the night dancing at a venue somewhere in Midtown.

The rest of the week, we’d play it by ear, visiting various hot spots around Houston and the surrounding suburbs, as Houston has so much to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without a tremendous village of supporters. My village includes my husband, my parents, siblings, and close friends. From the very beginning, they encouraged me to dream big—even when I wasn’t sure what those dreams would look like. Their belief in me during every late-night business plan and every “what if” conversation laid the foundation for everything I’ve built.

In addition to my village, I have to shoutout my team at River Oaks Galleria Medspa. Launching a medspa is never a solo endeavor. Each team member has invested heart and hustle—learning complex charting systems, helping me brainstorm marketing ideas, and holding space for nervous first-time clients. Their dedication set our standard for operational excellence and genuine care.

Lastly, my most recent shoutout goes to the book entitled, “Faith It Until You Make It” by Erica Dias. I am a strong believer in the power of words and affirmations, and when I was at a low point, I saw this phrase and decided to make it my daily inspirational mantra. Moving away from the hackneyed idiom the embodies imposter syndrome, “Fake it until you make it,” “FAITH it until you make it,” rather highlights the input of one’s faith in the process of resilience.

Website: https://rogmedspa.com

Instagram: @riveroaksgalleriamedspa

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104903373/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564516745032

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrAgnesUsoro-Umoh

Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@dragnesusoro