The Straith Clinic, one of the nation’s leading plastic surgery centers serving the Metropolitan Detroit area, offers patients 90 years of continuous cosmetic surgery experience and a reputation built on a high standard of patient care. The history of our practice began shortly after World War I, when a small group of physicians came together in Paris, France, to pool information, experiences, and techniques developed through treating injuries during the war. This small group of physicians eventually founded what was to become the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Among this handful of pioneer practitioners worldwide was Claire L. Straith, DDS, MD.
1934 – 1951
Dr. Claire Straith was a Detroit plastic surgeon who spent a great deal of his practice treating victims of automobile and industrial accidents and improving birth defects. He was particularly interested in the horrific injuries he witnessed involving automobiles. His efforts to educate the community regarding automobile safety included discussions with Walter Chrysler and Preston Tucker.
Eventually, he was instrumental in convincing the automobile industry to improve design flaws and install padded dashboards and safety belts. Due to Dr. Claire Straith’s efforts, the auto industry eventually adapted many safety features that help prevent millions of injuries and save thousands of lives today.
1952 – 1957
Dr. Claire Straith’s status as an innovative thinker and pioneer plastic surgeon put Detroit, Michigan, on the plastic surgery map. He moved the Straith Clinic from the David Whitney Building to West Grand Blvd in Detroit and, in addition, founded Straith Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, to provide patients with a specialty hospital for plastic surgery patients.
As his career progressed, his reputation in the plastic surgery community grew. The Straith Clinic hosted many plastic surgeons worldwide to watch and learn his original techniques. Dr. Claire Straith devised a suturing method that would leave the least possible scarring and has since been taught to surgeons throughout the United States.
Richard Straith, M.D., Dr. Claire Straith’s son, was the next generation of plastic surgeons at the Straith Clinic. The medical staff of the Straith Clinic has developed many surgical innovations. When specialized instruments were needed which did not exist, they designed them. Many of these instruments and techniques are used and practiced worldwide today.
1958 – 1990
Following the untimely death of Claire Straith, M.D., in 1958, Richard Straith, M.D., along with several associates, including Enrique Sabbagh, M.D., continued to develop a national reputation as leaders in the field of plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery. The Straith Clinic was home to a training program for plastic surgery and continued to host teaching seminars for plastic surgeons worldwide.
1990 – 1996
After the retirement of Richard Straith, M.D., Enrique Sabbagh, M.D., continued the leadership of the Straith Clinic. Before joining the practice in 1959, Dr. Enrique Sabbagh trained under the mentorship of John Lewis, M.D., past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
While at the Straith Clinic, Dr. Enrique Sabbagh developed one of the largest cosmetic surgery practices in the Midwest. During Straith Clinic’s sponsored seminars, he taught surgical procedures to over 25 residents practicing in thirteen countries. He wrote numerous articles on cosmetic surgery techniques and was asked to lecture at national conventions of the ASPS.
1996 – 2019
In 1996, due to continuing growth and advances in surgical technology, the Straith Clinic relocated to a new, modern facility in Bingham Farms, Michigan. After extensive plastic surgery training, Enrique Sabbagh’s son, William Sabbagh, M.D., joined his father in practice. In addition to his formal education, William Sabbagh, M.D., received many years of plastic surgery experience and mentorship.
Around this time, the Straith Clinic’s leadership was passed to William Sabbagh, M.D., a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). He directed a staff of over 20 medical support professionals, maintains an accredited office surgical facility, and has been on the staff at William Beaumont Hospital. Dr. William Sabbagh’s plastic surgery specialty is cosmetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body.
2019 – Present
In 2019, Dr. Marissa Baca, M.D., joined the Straith Clinic. She brought with her extensive training in plastic surgery and a love for serving her patients in this specialty. She is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. She is on the staff at Corewell Health East – William Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak.
Dr. Baca is a member of several medical societies and is committed to continuing education. She stays up to date on the latest plastic surgery techniques and helps teach and mentor future generations of plastic surgeons. Her specialty is cosmetic breast and body contouring.
Our clinic achieves cosmetic surgery success through ongoing education of our plastic surgery medical staff and specialists and by adopting new and improved plastic surgery methods. Our state-of-the-art plastic surgery center has been designed with each patient’s comfort, safety, and convenience in mind. We aim to keep fees affordable and offer a free, confidential consultation with our plastic surgeon. Financing is available.