Meet our renown faculty of dermatology experts. Diversity in Dermatology thanks you for sharing your knowledge with our members.
Alix J. Charles MD is a board certified dermatologist with a passion for patient centered, physician directed medical care. His training began at the Mayo Clinic where he completed medical school and part of his residency before completing his training in dermatology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. As the chairman of the department of Dermatology at Dupage Medical Group, he oversees 18 dermatologists that are part of an 800 physician multi-specialty group that emphasizes efficient and high quality patient care in Illinois. Dr. Charles’ practice encompasses medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, and he sees both pediatric and adult patients. He is a past president of the Chicago Dermatological Society and the Illinois Dermatological Society, and was awarded the Darrel J. Stremler Leadership Award for his role in growing and managing his department. He has a special interest in pigmentary disorders and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures utilizing injectable agents and energy based devices.
Dr. Chovatiya is Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Chovatiya received his M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Yale University. He completed his internship at Yale followed by residency and postdoctoral research fellowship at Northwestern, where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Chovatiya directs the Eczema and Itch Clinic at Northwestern, and his clinical focus includes atopic dermatitis, eczema, chronic itch, and other chronic inflammatory skin disorders including psoriasis, hidradenitis, immunobullous disease, and vitiligo. Dr. Chovatiya’s research interests include patient-reported outcomes, health services research, epidemiology, implementation science, translational therapy, and improving care for patients with skin of color. He has published numerous abstracts and manuscripts and been recognized for his research at national and international conferences.
Scott Drew is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Marion, OH since 1992. A graduate of A. T.Still University of Health Sciences, he completed a rotating internship at Normandy Hospitals in St Louis,MO, a Family Practice in Stratford, NJ, and a Dermatology Residency at Deaconess Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. He is Board Certified in both Dermatology and Family Practice.
Drew practices medical and surgical dermatology provides cosmetic dermatologic services and engages in multiplel dermatologic research protocols at five locations in central Ohio. He is published in numerous peer reviewed journals, contributed posters to scientific symposia and congresses, and authored chapters in medical textbooks. Drew enjoys didactic, bedside and podium education, and meeting with Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and students to share his dermatologic expertise. He has spoken from podiums extensively, both domestically and abroad on topics in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. He has accepted invitations to lecture in 43 states and on five continents.
Dr. Drew believes in the power of volunteerism. He is the Vice President for dermatologic services for Power of a Nickel, an organization coupling international medical outreach with international medical student education. He has participated in over 20 medical missions to clinics in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, India, Vietnam, Peru, Cuba and Nicaragua. Locally, Drew works with Hispanic Charities in Marion, OH and has served on the local boards of the YMCA, Rotary International, and United Way.
He believes in the power of education. He serves on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, A.T. Still University, having completed 3 terms as its chair, providing mission and vision supervisory guidance to its two medical schools, two dental schools, school of allied health professionals and college of graduate studies. He was instrumental in the foundation of the Global Health Scholars fellowship program, funding scholarships for diverse populations. He also serves on the Board of Directors for his alma mater high school, Bishop McNamara, in Forestville, MD, partnering them with a sister Holy Cross school in Gulu, Uganda.
Personally, Dr Drew and his wife, Pam, have two adult children, Delaney and Danny, and enjoy travel, history as well as family and friends.
Kerry Jenkins is a Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C) in Florida. Kerry graduated Nova Southeastern University in 2000 and received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska in 2007. Kerry has been practicing medical and aesthetic dermatology for the past 21 years.
Kerry recently discovered Functional/ Integrative medicine and has passionately been pursuing education in this realm. Her education includes a 1-year mentorship with Dr. Dan Kalish, The School of Applied Functional Medicine, Kharrazian Institute, and also becoming certified through the prestigious Institute of Functional Medicine. Kerry believes every patient has a story and through story sharing we gather details to map out the history and implement a plan for true healing.
When she is not working, she is a mom to two ambitious girls and enjoys ballroom dancing, hand lettering and being outdoors in nature. You can reach Kerry at whisperhealthnow@gmail.com.
Whisper Health was created to offer patients a more holistic approach to healing/managing their chronic conditions. Through a functional medicine timeline, we will evaluate your personal medical history in great detail to identify the “how I got here”. We will then offer specific lab testing to give insight to potential nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, stress and its affects to the adrenals, and GI health. Personal lifestyle recommendations will then be made along with any nutritional supplements that may be needed. An individualized program will be implemented for you to achieve optimal health.
Whisper Health is dedicated to take you to the next level in your Walk Towards Wellness!
Dr. Kaminska completed her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earned her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, and received her Doctor of Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Kaminska then finished her dermatology residency training at the University of Chicago.
She maintains her board certification with the American Board of Dermatology and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. She opened her private practice in 2020 during the COVID pandemic and has enjoyed serving her patients in Chicgaoland.
Pearl Chu Kwong MD, PhD is a board-certified pediatric dermatologist in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr Kwong received her doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and received a degree in medicine from the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry in Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
After an internship at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Dr Kwong completed a pediatric residency at the University of Alberta, followed by a dermatology residency at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec Canada.
Before she went to private practice in Jacksonville, Dr Kwong was Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA where she held an academic position of Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. In 2001, she moved to Jacksonville to join Nemours Children’s Clinic Jacksonville as Chief of Pediatric Dermatology and was Assistant Professor of dermatology at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.
Dr Kwong has authored and coauthored more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles as well as several article abstracts. She has presented more than 100 presentations and participated at conferences and student lectures. She has been a reviewer for Pediatric Dermatology Journal and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr Kwong is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Pediatric Dermatology, Women’s Dermatologic Society, and Jacksonville Dermatology Society. In 2004, she received a Teacher of the Year award from Mayo Medical School in Jacksonville.
Dr Kwong was born in the Philippines and is of Chinese descent who grew up in Canada (therefore she is not qualified to become POTUS). She has one daughter, Emma, who followed tradition and had just obtained her BSc Honours in Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec and is currently attending medical school .
After attending Michigan State University as a National Merit Scholar, Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School cum laude. He trained in internal medicine at the University of Alabama and in dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he currently serves as Professor and Vice-Chair of Dermatology and Chief of Dermatology at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Rosen previously served a term on the Board of Directors and is the immediate past AAD/A Vice-President. He was the 2017 recipient of the AAD Thomas G. Pearson Memorial Award for lifelong achievement in education, and the 2019 recipient of Baylor’s prestigious Master Clinician award.
Dr. Rosen has written over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 textbook chapters and 4 textbooks. He has been a visiting professor at over 75 university training programs and a plenary speaker for many city, state, national and international organizations, including the national dermatology societies of Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand.. On a personal note, he helped raise four, productive, sane and debt-free adult children. Dr. Rosen is an avid numismatist, diehard Chicago Cub fan and life-long devotee of horror films. His most pressing bucket list item is to score a cameo role on AMC’s cable program “The Walking Dead.”
Dr. Omar Noor is co-owner of Rao Dermatology. Dr. Noor
completed his medical education at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and completed his Dermatology residency at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Noor has received several distinguished awards from the New York Academy of Medicine in the field of
Dermatology; he is currently a member of the NYC Medical Reserve Corps and is certified by the American Board of Dermatology.
Physician Assistant Alexis Tiffany Pierce was born in Florida. Became the H.O.S.A. (Health Occupation Students of America) state president in OREGON in the early 1980s. With an early love of medicine, she joined the military as a combat medic, and went on to become a special forces medic. In 1993 she attended and then graduated from the US Army Physician Assistant Program. She served in numerous operations in Central America and later in the Middle East serving in Desert Storm. Later returning to work overseas for nearly a decade in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, in support of US & Allied Forces
Her first PA job was working as a physician assistant in a general Dermatology practice, and later joined a surgical/cosmetic/laser practice and developed a strong passion for cosmetic/laser dermatology. Published in Advance PA and has lectured at numerous state/local medical conferences, AAPA national conferences, SDPA National Conference, as well as many LGBT conferences and conventions. She is passionate about continuing to educate others and actively participating / precepting in dermatology rotations for PA/NP/medical students.
She is currently continuing to educate others in dermatology at PA programs.
Dr. Todd Schlesinger is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and clinical investigator. He completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and is the founder of a three-office dermatology and dermatologic surgery practice and clinical research center. His areas of research focus are inflammatory dermatoses, cutaneous oncology, and cosmetic dermatology. He is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications as well as several book chapters and numerous presentations and posters at national and international conferences. He is past president of the South Carolina Medical Association, the South Carolina Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and the current Editor in Chief of the AAD’s ongoing member CME program Dialogues in Dermatology.
Brittany Scurto is a board-certified Physician Assistant (PA) who specializes in Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology. She graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with a Master’s Degree in 2006. Prior to specializing in Dermatology in 2015, Brittany practiced in a number of different medical fields including Pediatrics, Women’s Health, Surgery and Urgent Care. Her passion lies in treating the whole person and she strives to help her patients understand their medical conditions and improve their well-being through partnership and education. Whether she is addressing common dermatologic issues such as acne, skin exams, warts, biologic medications for psoriasis and eczema or artfully combining Botox/fillers/lasers to gently ease the effects of graceful aging, Brittany’s goal is to assure that her patients are not only healthy on the inside, but confident about their outside as well. Brittany loves to educate and often speaks within the community about various medical topics. She also teaches pre-PA, PA and medical students and is regularly recruited to share her medical expertise with medical research companies. Brittany values a strong work life balance that allows her to spend quality time with her 2 children, dear friends and family. She is an avid reader who enjoys cooking, dancing and singing. Having lived and worked abroad, she also loves to travel and donate her time/resources to various non-profit organizations. Brittany speaks fluent conversational and medical Spanish.
Dr. Marc Serota is triple board certified in dermatology, allergy/asthma/immunology and pediatrics. He is in private practice in Denver Colorado and attends the dermatology residents and the University of Colorado and VA hospitals. After graduating medical school at the age of 23 he pursued 8 additional years of training. He completed a pediatrics residency at Cohen’s Children’s Hospital in New York, then completed an allergy/asthma/immunology fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and then completed a second residency in dermatology at the University of Colorado. He has published numerous textbook chapters, online reference articles and peer-reviewed articles in the areas of dermatologic and allergic diseases.
Denisse M. Serrano is a board-certified Physician Assistant, with a concentration in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Her expertise includes a variety of skin conditions, injectables, laser devices, and surgical procedures, in addition to her extensive knowledge in the newest cosmetic procedures and leading-edge laser technology.
She is a National leader and educator in all injectable and non-invasive energy device procedures. National Trainer for Allergan Medical Institute, National Trainer for Galderma, Advisory Board member for Endo Aesthetics, Revance and Founder of Enhance Aesthetic Training by Denisse. Denisse is known for her honesty and ability to create natural enhancements.
Dr. Amy Spizuoco is a board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She did her undergraduate training at SUNY Binghamton, majoring in Italian and Biology. She then went to medical school at the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine.
After medical school, she completed her dermatology residency at LECOM/Alta Dermatology in Arizona. During that time she studied skin cancer surgery, pediatric dermatology at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and attended Dermatology Grand Rounds at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.
After residency, Dr. Spizuoco went back to NY to complete a dermatopathology fellowship at the Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology.
Dr. Spizuoco has been practicing medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as dermatopathology in Manhattan for 8 years.
She is the President of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and is an Associate Clinical Instructor in the Department of Dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is also on the editorial board of Practical Dermatology and Dermatology Times.
Dr. Vlahovic is a Clinical Professor and J. Stanley and Pearl Landau Faculty Fellow at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine (TUSPM) in Philadelphia, PA. She is also a member of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow).
Dr Vlahovic graduated from Yale University with a BS in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and received her medical degree from TUSPM. After finishing her surgical residency at St Luke’s University Health Network in Allentown, PA, she was the first podiatrist in the US to complete a fellowship in podiatric dermatology under the supervision of Stephen Schleicher, MD.
She is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and in podiatric medicine by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Vlahovic currently teaches the Fundamentals of Dermatology course at TUSPM and has received numerous teaching awards. She has authored several articles in peer-reviewed journals and is involved in multiple clinical research trials for various dermatological therapies and devices.
She is the author of Skin Disease of the Lower Extremities: A Photographic Guide (HMP Communications) and Onychomycosis: An Illustrated Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment along with Antonella Tosti and Roberto Arenas (Springer).
Matthew Zirwas, MD is an American Board of Dermatology certified physician. He is a nationally known expert who specializes in patch testing, pruritus, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.
Dr. Zirwas founded the Bexley Dermatology Research Clinic in 2017 which has become one of the busiest clinical trial centers in the US for atopic dermatitis. He is also a physician contributor and dermatologic advisor for companies such as ALL Laundry Detergent, Cerave, AsepticMD, fitbit, Peloton, Oculus, Sanofi/Regeneron, Abbvie, Lilly, Pfizer, Leo, Incyte, Arcutis, Dermavant and many more.
He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1996. Dr. Zirwas also received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000. He then completed his dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003 where he became Chief Resident. He served as Residency Director at Ohio State University for nearly 10 years before founding the Bexley Dermatlogy Research Clinic.
Dr. Zirwas professional memberships include:
In Dr. Zirwas’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his kids, rock climbing and traveling.
Emmy M. Graber, MD, MBA is the Founder of The Dermatology Institute of Boston, a private practice in Boston, Massachusetts. With over ten years experience, Dr. Graber treats a wide range of dermatologic issues and specializes in acne and cosmetic dermatology. She is currently an Affiliate Clinical Instructor at Northeastern University and has extensive experience teaching students of all types.
Dr. Graber received her BS in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University and was a member of the Schreyer Honors College. She also completed her medical training at The Pennsylvania State University and graduated with membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. After an internship in Internal Medicine, she underwent Dermatology residency training at The Pennsylvania State University/Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. During this time she received the Intern Of The Year Award and was selected by her peers for a Humanism and Excellence In Teaching Award.
Following her residency training, Dr. Graber further specialized with fellowship training in Laser and Cosmetic Surgery at SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill. She then practiced dermatology with that group for two years prior to working at Boston University. At Boston University, Dr. Graber was Director of the BU Cosmetic and Laser Center. She was also the associate residency program director and taught many medical students, resident physicians and international physicians in-training. In 2014 Dr. Graber completed her MBA at the University of Pennsylvania’s esteemed Wharton School of Business.
Dr. Graber has academic interests in acne, acne scars and cosmetic dermatology. She has lectured and written extensively on these subjects in scientific journals and serves on the board of directors of the American Acne and Rosacea Society. Additionally, Dr. Graber is frequently cited in the media as an authority in dermatology. Dr. Graber is a regular contributor on national public radio (NPR) and her expert opinions can be seen in O Magazine, InStyle Magazine, and Good Housekeeping Magazine amongst other national media sources.
Dr. Koo graduated from Harvard Medical School. He is board certified in both Psychiatry and Dermatology. He finished his dermatology residency at University of California San Francisco Medical Center and Psychiatry residency at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He has been a faculty at University of California San Francisco Medical Center Department of Dermatology. He has more than 300 peer reviewed publications. He is the chief editor for a two volume textbook on psoriasis where “mild to moderate psoriasis” volume is now in its third edition and “moderate to severe psoriasis” is in its fourth edition. This two volume textbooks is one of the most widely used in USA. Dr. Koo was named “best researcher in dermatology” at SID meeting. He also received the “best speaker” award at Fall Clinical Conference. He received the best mentor award from UCSF. Lastly, he was honored for “lifetime achievement award” by National Psoriasis Foundation.
Dr. Kircik is a Board Certified Dermatologist who graduated with AOA Honors from State University of New York at the Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn after completing his undergraduate work with Phi Beta Kappa at New York University. He completed a Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology Fellowship under the auspices of Dr. Frederick Mohs at the University of Wisconsin after completing his dermatology residency at State University of New York in Buffalo.
He currently teaches as Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN, as well as Clinical Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Kircik is also the Medical Director of DermResearch, PLLC, Physicians Skin Care, PLLC and Skin Sciences, PLLC in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been the principal investigator of numerous clinical trials for psoriasis, acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, skin cancers, and actinic keratosis, just to name a few.
Dr. Kircik is an author of many scientific articles, abstracts and posters. He has lectured extensively nationally and internationally on all aspects of dermatologic conditions. In addition, he also serves on the advisory boards of several pharmaceutical companies as a consultant. He is on the editorial board of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Practical Dermatology, The Journal of Clinical & Aesthetic Dermatology, and Case Report in Clinical Pathology. He volunteers for multiple local and national medical society committees.
Dr. George Cohen is a 1977 graduate of Howard University College of Medicine. He finished his residency at Howard University Hospital Department of Dermatology in 1981 and has been a practicing board certified dermatologist for over 39 years.
Dr. Cohen has worked as a dermatologist in private practice, for large HMOs, for the Veterans’ Affairs Hospital and has worked as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force Reserves.
He has held numerous academic positions including Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of South Florida, Associate Professor at the University of Florida and most recently has Clinical Professor and the founding program director at the Florida State University College Medicine division of Dermatology.
His areas of interest and expertise include; medical dermatology, telemedicine, treatment of keloids and the skin cancer in the Afro-American population.
Hilary Baldwin is a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of the Acne Treatment & Research Center in Brooklyn, NY. She is a clinical associate professor of dermatologist at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center. Dr. Baldwin has interests in acne, rosacea, keloidal scarring, cosmeceuticals and the skin microbiome. She is a frequent national and international lecturer and visiting professor, and her work has been published extensively in dermatology journals. Dr. Baldwin served as a founding board member and second president of the American Acne and Rosacea Society.
Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale
Originally from Michigan, Robert graduated with honors from Michigan State University holding a degree in Biology. He completed his degree in the PA program of Western Michigan University in 1999. He began his career on the trauma surgery service at the Toledo Hospital, and in the emergency department of University of Michigan Hospital, for three years.
His experience in dermatology began in 2002, and to date his experiences include medical, surgical and cosmetic care, as well as management of patients in a psoriasis treatment center. He is a member, clinical instructor, and consultant to the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and a co-founder and former executive officer of both the Michigan and Arizona Dermatology PA Societies. Currently he serves on the Arizona state society PA legislative affairs committee, is a consultant to multiple pharmaceutical companies, and is a host for the SDPA’s Dermcast TV.
In March of 2012, Rob founded the Skin and Cancer Center of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ. As the CEO and founder, he continues to have a passion for the development of PA/ physician relations, clinical instruction, and entrepreneurship. He also continues to pursue his passion for humanitarian efforts in AZ and other states, and has participated in international medical missions in the Philippines and Africa.
Dr. Jeffrey T.S. Hsu is a fellowship-trained, board-certified dermatologist with expertise in neurotoxins, laser surgery, Mohs micrographic surgery, fat grafting, soft tissue augmentation, and scar revision. Dr. Hsu specializes in minimally invasive techniques for facial and body rejuvenation.
Dr. Hsu graduated with distinction from Stanford University where he earned the coveted President’s Award for academic achievement. He received his medical degree from University of California at Los Angeles, earning top honors along the way. He then completed an internship in Internal Medicine and residency in Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic. He pursued further training by completing a Laser and Cosmetic Surgery fellowship under the direction of faculty from Harvard University and Yale University School of Medicine.
Dr. Hsu is also passionately involved in teaching and academic pursuits. He is an internationally recognized expert in dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, frequently invited to teach other physicians in Asia, Australia, and Europe while continuing to care for his patients at home. He has already co-authored several widely used textbooks; the latest publication is the Manual of Dermatologic Therapeutics 8th Edition. He is the author of numerous scientific articles in leading dermatology journals and is regularly invited to present his newest techniques and his latest scientific discoveries at national and international conferences. Dr. Hsu is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Dr. Hsu’s memberships include the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the American Society for Mohs Surgery, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, the American College of Phlebology, and the American Medical Association.
