Dr. Claessens and Nicole Claessens (a Gerontologist) are free to focus on holistic patient care and being readily available to patients and facilities. JNC Podiatry ensures patients receive the best care from a doctor they love!
Dr. Joris Claessens, or Dr. "J", was raised right here in Central Florida attending Lake Mary High School. He was then recruited to the University of South Florida Soccer Team and became a starter for their Division one men's soccer Team. During his time at USF he immersed himself in biology and aging, quickly realizing he had a passion for medicine and the geriatric community. It was this passion that led him to not only obtain a Bachelor's in Biomedical Sciences, he also obtained a minor in Gerontology; and led a winning soccer team to the Big East finals 3 of 4 years. It was his soccer career that introduced him to the importance of podiatry due to his firsthand experiences of foot and ankle injuries, and how debilitating they can be.
Dr. Claessens found it only natural to specialize in Podiatry when deciding on medical school, and subsequently attended Kent State University college of Podiatric Medicine in Ohio. After graduation, as resident physician and surgeon, he spent much of his rigorous 3-year post school residency at the renowned Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Claessens was then invited to join a small private practice in Virginia. During his years there, he was able to hone his skills as a physician and gained an incredible depth of knowledge taking care of his patients, both young and old. After several years, it was time to come back home to Central Florida.
The past few years Dr. Claessens has enjoyed being the sole podiatrist in a large multi-disciplinary practice, where he was introduced to geriatric care in facility settings. He successfully managed patients in over 25 long-term care facilities, and it was here that his dream of treating patients with quality and compassionate care over profit was born.
Dr. Claessens is excited to be starting his own practice doing exactly what he loves, caring for those who need him the most. Knowing that he has found his life's purpose drives Dr. Claessens and that is why he is loved by his patients. Dr. "J" really cares, and it shows.
Nicole Claessens, MS is our resident Gerontologist. She was raised right here in Central Florida and holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, has attended medical school at Kent State in Ohio, and is a member of the Gerontological Society of America and American Geriatric Society.
Nicole has experience in industries from education, social work, hospitality, and finance, to multi-national manufacturing, retail management, and sales. Along with her passion for patients and people, her range of experience allows her to be extremely fluid and highly capable in a wide variety of situations. Nicole not only cares for our patients and runs our office, but she partners with our facilities to provide a smooth and pleasurable experience for residents, families, and staff alike.
Working in geriatric care has been Nicole's calling and it is that love that allowed her to be the first person in her family to attend college where she continued on in Gerontology to make a difference in the elderly community. Nicole instinctively combines her patient first mentality with a passion for people that results in care that is not just seen; it is felt. We are a team that has been blessed to follow our passion and it shows. Our patients ask for us for a reason!