The Direct Care Derm

Episode 054 | Today's episode is all about helping you empower your patients who want to be proactive about scar refinement and optimization. Most dermatologists perform procedures multiple times a day that will undoubtedly result in a scar. While we routinely inform our patients about this as part of the informed consent process, there tends to be far less routine discussion about how patients can optimize the appearance of those inevitable scars. We can and should do better. My guest is Lisa Massaad, Senior Director of Global Marketing & Business Development at Newmedical Technology, makers of the physician exclusive Silagen Scar Refinement System.   Ms. Massaad joined the Newmedical team in 2014 in anticipation of the launch of the Silagen professional line. She manages all aspects of global brand management for the Silagen and NewGel+ brands and serves as team lead for new product development projects. In addition to having extensive knowledge about the Silagen Scar Refinement System, she also has personal experience using it, which she shares in this episode.Ms. Massaad has 14 years of pharmaceutical industry sales experience, including six years as an award-winning Regional Sales Director. She joined Advanced Bio-Technologies, Inc. as the National Sales Manager and built its outside sales team. She has directed professional, consumer, and international marketing, including the launch of seven new products, while with ABT/enaltus/Sinclair IS Pharma.Lisa received a B.A. in Political Science from Allegheny College and an M.A. in Communications/PR from Kent State University.I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the whole team at Newmedical Technology for their generous support of this episode and their dedication to scar refinement and optimization. If you'd like to connect with them to learn more about how you can support your patients with Silagen products, you can contact them here.This episode was recorded at their headquarters in Northbrook, IL where I had the opportunity to meet with leadership and tour their remarkable manufacturing and packaging facility. Knowing that Silagen products are made in the USA makes me even more excited about sharing them with my patients.The Silagen Scar Refinement System is exclusively physician dispensed. If you're interested in purchasing it for yourself or someone you care about, you can contact me directly at 715-391-9774 or drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com or head to silagen.biz if you'd like to order it online. My favorite Silagen products are the 100% Pure Silicone Gel (with and without SPF) and the Acne Scar + Spot Corrector. This will take you to a page that says "Login or Create an Account to Access the Website". Assuming you haven't previously made an account, click "Create Account" at the bottom. You'll be prompted to enter your Name, Email Address, Practice Code (1206240832P), and Password. You should then be able to learn about and purchase products.More from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.Above & Beyond DermatologyNutrafol -- special pricing and physician exclusive productsNeoGenesis -- my favorite source of stem cell released molecules for skin/hairSilagen.biz -- physician dispensed scar refinement products delivered to your door (use practice code 1206240832P)NewsletterLinkedInFacebookDr. Lewellis on InstagramAbove & Beyond Dermatology on InstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitter/XChange Your Mind, Change Your LifeSoMeDocs (Doctors on Social Media)Pippa!

Episode 053 | Dr. Marthe Dika, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and proud owner of M. Dika Dermatology, with practices located in Burlington and Glendale, Wisconsin. At her clinics, she welcomes patients of all ages and skin types, offering comprehensive care for diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. Dr. Dika is particularly experienced in and passionate about managing hair loss and has helped many people who struggle with this often devastating problem.In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Dika is involved in advancing the field ofdermatology through clinical trials conducted at her two locations. Her dedication to research allows her to remain at the forefront of dermatologic advancements and offer her patients cutting edge treatment options.She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed her residency in dermatology at the University of Iowa. Dr. Dika's commitment to patient care coupled with her passion for dermatology ensures that all who visit M. Dika Dermatology receive the highest quality care tailored to their individual needs.Shout out to Dr. Dika's mentor, Dr. Chesahna Kindred, as mentioned in this episode! Thanks to all the great mentors out there for all that you do. And shout out to the absolutely delightful Whitney Hubbell, PharmD, IBCLC. Dr. Hubbell is currently an all-star Medical Science Liaison at Sanofi, and I'm grateful to her for introducing me to Dr. Dika.This episode was recorded on February 3rd, 2025.Connect with and learn from Dr. DikaM. Dika DermatologyInstagramFacebookMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.Above & Beyond DermatologyNutrafol -- special pricing and physician exclusive productsNeoGenesis -- my favorite source of stem cell released molecules for skin/hairSilagen.biz -- physician dispensed scar refinement products delivered to your door (use practice code 1206240832P)NewsletterLinkedInFacebookDr. Lewellis on InstagramAbove & Beyond Dermatology on InstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitter/XChange Your Mind, Change Your LifeSoMeDocs (Doctors on Social Media)Pippa!

Episode 052 | Dr. Kaveri Karhade, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in San Francisco, CA who specializes in treating acne, hair loss, and pigmentation concerns especially in patients with skin of color. She also focuses on advanced techniques in cosmetic dermatology, using lasers and devices to treat nearly any medical or cosmetic skin concern, in all skin types. Dr. Karhade believes in keeping skin youthful and clear using minimal interventions. She aims to dispel misinformation through her presence on social media and has been featured in numerous media outlets including Forbes, Women's Health, and Allure.Part of how Dr. Karhade delivers exceptional experiences and results to her patients is attributable to the "direct care" model that she has chosen for her practice. It's remarkable what can happen when you kick self-interested, for profit health insurance companies out of the space between you and the people you're trying to serve. If you've ever been curious about starting or joining a direct care practice, this episode is for you.Connect with and learn from Dr. Karhadekarhademd.comInstagramTik TokMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.Above & Beyond DermatologyNutrafol -- special pricing and physician exclusive productsNeoGenesis -- my favorite source of stem cell released molecules for skin/hairSilagen.biz -- physician dispensed scar refinement products delivered to your door (use practice code 1206240832P)NewsletterLinkedInFacebookDr. Lewellis on InstagramAbove & Beyond Dermatology on InstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitter/XChange Your Mind, Change Your LifeSoMeDocs (Doctors on Social Media)Pippa!

Episode 051 | Greg Maguire, PhD is the Co-Founder of the SRM Living Foundry at UCSD in San Diego and the Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of NeoGenesis, a wonderful company I talk with my patients about all the time. If you haven't yet listed to episode 047 featuring Christine Preston, that one pairs delightfully with my conversation with Dr. Maguire.Awarded a prestigious Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Maguire managed his NIH funded laboratory at UCSD studying tissue degeneration and regeneration, and the role of stem cell released molecules (SRM) through paracrine and autocrine actions to maintain, repair, and regenerate human tissues. His NIH funded studies of systems biology and reverse engineering at UC Berkeley and stem cell biology at UC San Diego led to the development of adult stem cell-based S2RM® technology for the development of therapeutics and medical procedures.Dr. Maguire pursued his graduate training at the University of California, Berkeley, University of Houston, University of Texas, The Marine Biological Labs, Woods Hole, MA, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY. He is a former professor of neuroscience and ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, a visiting associate professor of physiology at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan, visiting assistant professor of molecular neurobiology at the University of Washington, and a visiting scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), at Harvard University.Dr. Maguire has over 100 publications and is currently working on his book entitled, “Spontaneous Stem Cell Healing”.The Above & Beyond Dermatology podcast is grateful to NeoGenesis for the great work they do and for their generous support of this episode. If you're a skin care professional and would like to learn more about helping your customers with NeoGenesis, click here to learn more. If you'd like to learn directly from the NeoGenesis team, text me at 715-391-9774 and I'll be happy to make a warm introduction.Connect with and learn from Greg Maguire & NeoGenesisLearn & Shop NeoGenesisDr. Maguire's Skin Care BlogNeoGenesis Wholesale Partnership for Medical ProfessionalsMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 050 | Aamir Hussain, MD, MAPP is a board-certified dermatologist currently practicing in Northern Virginia. If you didn't catch him on episode 028 published on August 1st, 2024, check that out first to learn more of his story and then join us as we explore the intersection of cryptocurrency and the business of dermatology in light of his recent cover story in The Dermatologist. Dr. Hussain is an internationally-recognized speaker, writer and educator on health policy, medical education and interfaith dialogue. He speaks five languages and enjoys teaching and working with diverse patient populations. He'll also be welcoming his first child in less than month, so let's wish him and his family all the best as they begin that beautiful journey!Dr. Hussain has won multiple teaching awards from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored several book chapters and written for prestigious media outlets, such as The New York Times.He completed his medical degree and master's degree in public policy at the University of Chicago, and his dermatology residency at Georgetown University. And watch out -- he's known as the Pun-isher due to his penchant for bad puns!Connect with and learn from Dr. Hussain

(Editor's note: Apologies for the mild echo!)TL;DR: The application deadline for the 2025-2026 cohort of LearnSkin's Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program (IDCP) is April 21st, 2025!As a proud and transformed IDCP alumnus, I know how this program helps dermatologists expand their approach to patient care and reignite their passion for dermatology.From evidence-informed functional medicine to new treatment strategies, IDCP provides practical tools to enhance how we support our patients with the comprehensive, holistic dermatology care I know so many of them are seeking.If you want to join and learn form a forward thinking, supportive, growth-minded community and expand your dermatology toolkit, opportunity is knocking... will you answer?

Episode 048 | Kathy Harmon Luber is a certified Sound Therapy, Sound Healing practitioner, Reiki Master, and wellness guide whose passion is helping people navigate the challenging terrain of the healing journey—and thrive. As you'll soon learn, Kathy and I have a lot in common when it comes to how we think about about integrative health and how little things can accumulate to make remarkable differences.Her best-selling book, “Suffering to Thriving: Your Toolkit for Navigating Your Healing Journey—How to Live a More Healthy, Peaceful, Joyful Life,” is full of wisdom gleaned from decades of healing from debilitating health crises. She has appeared in Yoga Magazine, Best Holistic Life Magazine, Authority Magazine, MindBodyGreen.com, Elephant Journal, Pretty Woman Hustle Magazine, Woman's World Magazine, Kindred Spirit UK Magazine, and numerous top-rated podcasts.Connect with and learn from KathyKathy's websiteKathy on InstagramKathy on LinkedInKathy on FacebookMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 047 | Christine Preston is a compromised Skin Therapist (certificate in Skin Therapy from George Brown College) who has been certified since 2016. Since then, she's been helping women across North America achieve calm, clear skin by helping them identify their triggers and creating skin care routines that work. She opened the Skin Discovery Spa in 2021 where she helps her clients clear acne, calm rosacea and relieve eczema-prone skin. (Did someone say road trip?!

Episode 046 | Dr. DeJarra "DJ" Sims is a Naturopathic Doctor, published author, and prolific speaker. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Prairie View A&M University, in Texas and completed her doctorate at Sonoran University of Health Sciences in Phoenix (formerly SCNM). She has served as an Assistant Professor and Core Faculty at Bastyr University California and was a former Adjunct Professor at SCNM in Arizona. Dr. DJ established Superhero Skin+Care to remind women of their identity and bring out the adventurous, gorgeous superhero that exists within them. To do this, she provides personalized treatment plans to improve the skin, reset the liver, and support digestion.Dr. DJ is a well-known keynote speaker, who has given talks at medical conferences and even Comic-Con! Her training in improvisational comedy at The Finest City Improv in San Diego and The Second City in Hollywood has helped her create lively and energetic presentations that keep audiences engaged as they learn.She is currently accepting patients for virtual consults. Click here to schedule your free 15-minute Discovery Call.​If you would like to have Dr. DJ speak at your next event, send her team an email with your request and someone will get back to you.Tune in to learn more!Connect with and learn from Dr. SimsSuperhero Skin+CareMeet Dr. DJTake the Acne QuizMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 045 | The Dermy Doc is in the house! Big shout out to friend of the pod Dr. Adam Swigost (episodes 004 and 041) for introducing me to the incomparable Dr. Fatima Fahs.Dr. Fahs is a board-certified dermatologist and diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. She has been quoted and featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Forbes, Self, Time, Today, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health and many more.She's also the founder of the award winning skincare subscription box, Dermy Dox Box, as well as the Dermy Doc Institute, a fabulous direct care dermatology practice in Southfield, Michigan. We recorded this episode just days before the Institute's grand opening, and I'm so grateful she was willing to give us some of her time.I love how more and more doctors are redefining healthcare and bringing it back to a much healthier place and can't help but shout these stories from the rooftop.At the Dermy Doc Institute, Dr. Fahs provides comprehensive, personalized care without the demands and restrictions placed by insurance companies. This allows for her sole focus to be on you, the patient, and your unique dermatological needs.She knows that many of us experience barriers to quality healthcare imposed by health insurance companies that we all so clearly know value profits over health and well-being. Dr. Fahs believes every patient has the right to make their own healthcare decisions. She's helping put the power of your healthcare back into your hands by utilizing a direct care model. Dr. Fahs has a particular interest in skincare and product formulation, researching the efficacy of over the counter cosmeceuticals. Her Instagram account is where she decodes skincare ingredients and explains common dermatological concerns and her award-winning subscription box, Dermy Doc Box, is how she brings quality and effective skincare to your doorstep for a fraction of the price.She graduated with honors as a MedStart full-ride scholar from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in art. She went on to attend Oakland University William Beaumont School on a full-ride scholarship, earning her medical doctorate. Dr. Fahs then completed her medicine internship at Beaumont Hospital and her dermatology residency at Wayne State University, serving as Chief Resident in her final year.She's a Michigan native, born and raised and resides in West Bloomfield with her husband and three children.Tune in to learn more!

Episode 044 | The Queen of Joy, Dr. Meena Julapalli, is BACK!If you're new around here or missed it for any other reason, I recommend that you first enJOY episode 022 and follow it with this one.Dr. Julapalli is a triple board-certified in pediatrics, dermatology, and pediatric dermatology.After 7 years in academics as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of Texas - Austin and the University of Colorado, she opened her own direct care pediatric dermatology practice, Bluebird Dermatology, in Houston, Texas.Dr. Julapalli is passionate about providing comprehensive, integrative, and personalized care that acknowledges and supports not just the physical aspects of her patients' skin conditions but also their unique social and emotional needs. She believes that by fostering sacred relationships of love, trust, and mutual respect and creating an environment and community whereby children and families affected by skin disease feel seen, heard, understood, valued, and supported, they are empowered, transformed, and healed in profound and life-changing ways.Dr. Julapalli has been blessed to facilitate and witness these transformations through her involvement with support groups and camp programs throughout the country, including the American Academy of Dermatology-sponsored Camp Discovery, Paul Newman's SeriousFun Network, and the American Camp Association, as well as through local workshops and healing circles that she leads.She is the founder of The Joyful Path, whose mission is to help children build the intuition of how to nourish their mind, body, and soul so that they may live, love, and serve generously with an open heart, intention, and purpose.In addition to her philanthropic pursuits in her local and national communities, Dr. Julapalli is dedicated to serving children abroad. She has volunteered her time and expertise at a pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic in Lesotho, Africa, at orphanages and schools in Nicaragua, with children and adults with albinism in Tanzania, and most recently with people in impoverished villages in northern Thailand.Dr. Julapalli's adventures also include being a children's book author, wisdom coach and yoga instructor for kids, Reiki master, world explorer (she has been to all 7 continents, all 50 states), avid hiker, meditator, sound healer/instrumentalist, and amateur swing dancer!She's also simply one of the most truly joyful and generous people I've ever met. I'm honored and grateful to call her a friend and colleague and am thrilled to have her back on the show.

Episode 043 | Today's episode is all about helping people, particularly in the geriatric population, who suffer from itchy skin. Tune in to learn about a secret OTC weapon you may not be aware of yet that Dr. Butler and I often recommend to our patients. There's no better time to discuss this than in the dead of winter in central Wisconsin where the dreaded winter itch is currently raging.My guest -- who is staying warm and hopefully not very itchy in Arizona -- is the delightful Dr. Daniel C. Butler. I can't imagine a better person for this discussion. Dr. Butler is the assistant dean of student affairs and an associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. He directs the University of Arizona's Inflammatory and Aging Skin Research Program. Dr. Butler's research interests focus on the presentation and treatment of skin disease in older adults. He founded and leads international clinical and research groups evaluating best practices in this population. He has active clinical trials focusing on pruritus and atopic dermatitis in older adults. Dr. Butler graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and completed his dermatology residency at Harvard Medical School.  He continues to mentor students and trainees all over the country who are interested in skin diseases of the oldest generation.I'd like to extend a huge thanks to the Dermeleve Cream and Scalp Serum team at Advanced Derm Solutions, LLC for their generous support of this episode, for connecting me with Dr. Butler, and for their dedication to helping itchy people!If you're a healthcare provider and would like samples, simply use the Dermeleve sample request form.Click here (this is an affiliate link) to learn more about and/or purchase Dermeleve products.More from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 042 | Lashelle Ullie is a Beverly Hills esthetician and men's skin health expert who advocates for an integrated care approach to holistic wellness that combines conventional and complementary treatment strategies for optimal health. He's also the host of Conversations with Lashelle on Youtube. Specializing in men's skin health and assisting individuals living with cancer, Lashelle connects clients with complementary health and wellness practices that go beyond skin treatment and address the individual as a whole. This integrative approach helps his clients address the root causes holding them back from optimal health and well-being. Lashelle aspires to build a network of health professionals from different therapeutic modalities to collaborate on improving their clients' quality of life.Connect with and learn more about Lashelle

Episode 041 | ***Please note that this episode was recorded in October 2024 and is being published on January 16, 2025. Dr. Swigost's tale has evolved in some big ways since that time, including the announcement of the imminent closure of Dapper Dermatology in Austin, TX on 2/28/2025. Adam shared with me that he has no regrets about this experience, and I believe it. He's undoubtedly more prepared now than ever to serve his patients in the way that suits him best. (Suits! Dapper! The PUNisher, Dr. Aamir Hussain, will hopefully appreciate this.) If you love him like I do and want to know more, stay tuned for future episodes or reach out to him directly to say hello. Now on with the show!***  Dr. Adam Swigost is a board-certified dermatologist and entrepreneur. He founded Dapper Dermatology, which started as North Dakota's first and only entirely virtual dermatology clinic and evolved into a full service direct care dermatology clinic located in Austin, TX (closing 2/28/2025 as discussed above). Above all, Dr. Swigost is an advocate for physician autonomy and reinvigorating the patient-physician relationship, and he will no doubt bring an outstanding and innovative suite of services to wherever he is headed next.He completed his undergraduate degrees and medical training at the University of North Dakota. He completed his internship through the University of Central Florida in Ocala, FL, and his dermatology residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the Gay and Lesbian Dermatology Association.If you aren't one of the 186 people (or 86 people plus my mom 100 times -- thanks, Ma!) who have listened to Episode 004 published on January 11th, 2024 back when the show was still called The Direct Care Derm, I highly recommend you check that out first and then come back to this episode. You'll have fun learning about Dr. Swigost's origin story, and you'll get to hear me suck at podcasting way more than I do now. Win-win! I hope you enjoy the show(s).Connect with Dr. SwigostDapper Dermatology Instagram info@dapperdermatology.comMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I offer in-office visits, house calls, and virtual care in Wisconsin and virtual care in Illinois, Nebraska, and Colorado.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 040 | Dr. Angel Sanfilippo Casey is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic dermatologic surgeon with a focus on skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology. She's a partner in a suburban private practice, Center for Surgical Dermatology, in Columbus, Ohio and serves as assistant program director and the head of Dermatologic Surgery for the OhioHealth Dermatology residency program. On top of all of that, Dr. Casey is also the founder of Bright Girl youth skincare, a collection she created to instill effective and consistent daily skincare habits from a young age. Bright Girl's mission is to prevent skin damage and ultimately create an impact on skin cancer incidence.As the mother of three daughters, Dr. Casey is passionate about educating and empowering youth with the knowledge, tools and daily habits to care for their skin and prevent the majority of skin damage that she sees in her practice each day. Her roles demonstrate her commitment to teaching, and she uses various media outlets to share fact-based, practical skin health knowledge with the community at large.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Casey & Bright GirlDr. Casey on InstagramDr. Casey on LinkedInBrightGirl.comBright Girl on InstagramBright Girl on TikTokMore from Dr. Lewellis and Above & Beyond DermatologyNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I can do in office and virtual care in WI and virtual care in IL, NE, AL, and CO.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 039 | Dr. Manju Dawkins is a board-certified dermatologist and creator/co-founder of Thimble, the first easy, safe, and comprehensive solution for alleviating needle pain and stress. Needle aversion stops millions from participating in other forms of essential care, including early disease detection, blood donation and life-saving treatments. Thimble is a holistic platform of pain and stress reducing products for common needle procedures. Thimble is changing the way healthcare feels.Dr. Dawkins received her B.A. from Columbia University. She then returned to her home state to obtain her M.D. from the University of Maryland. She completed her dermatology residency and served as Chief Resident at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. She served as Assistant Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she was twice named Teacher of the Year. She has practiced in academic, private, hospital-based, and group practice settings in New York and Los Angeles.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Dawkins & ThimbleThimble's WesbiteThimble on InstagramThimble on TikTokThimble on LinkedInDr. Dawkins on LinkedIn Team@thimblehealth.comMore from Dr. LewellisNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I can do in office and virtual care in WI and virtual care in IL, NE, AL, and CO.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 038 | Saul Marquez is the founder and CEO of Outcomes Rocket, a global digital marketing agency exclusively serving clients in the healthcare industry. With over twenty years of experience in sales and marketing within the healthcare sector, Saul's journey began in sales and leadership roles at major players like Stryker, NuVasive, and Medtronic. Recognizing significant gaps that companies were faced with in strategy, digital marketing, and commercialization, Saul founded Outcomes Rocket to address these challenges head-on by helping healthcare brands and businesses scale and thrive in the digital age. Saul also hosts the Outcomes Rocket Podcast, a daily show featuring over 1,800 interviews and boasting a 4.8-star rating. The podcast attracts a diverse range of guests, from health tech entrepreneurs to hospital CEOs, offering valuable insights into the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Connect with and learn more about Saul MarquezOutcomes RocketOutcomes Rocket PodcastLinkedInFacebookTwitter/XYouTubeMore from Dr. LewellisNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I can do in office and virtual care in WI and virtual care in MN, IL, NE, AL, and CO.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

For all who celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I'm grateful to all of you who have listened to the show so far.Instead of selling you something on Black Friday, I want to give you something.What you're about to hear is an unfinished draft of an e-book I started many months ago. While I never ended up finishing it, it contains a lot of valuable information, much of which I frequently discuss during consultations with my patients. In the spirit of not letting perfect be the enemy of good, I offer it to you here as a short, unfinished audio book. If it sounds a bit different to you than usual if you're a regular listener or a bit odd in general if you're a new listener, it's because the audio was generated using an AI clone of my voice with the help of Eleven Labs (affiliate link). Please excuse any pronunciation errors or hallucinations. Speech generation models can hallucinate just like text based generative AI models do. The difference between this and my actual voice will only become less obvious over time, so I'll always disclose when an artificial voice rendering is being used.I hope you learn something. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at 715-391-9774 or drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com  if you have any questions or comments.More from Dr. LewellisNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I can do in office and virtual care in WI and virtual care in MN, IL, NE, AL, and CO.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 036 | David Lipman, DC, a seasoned chiropractic physician and owner of Physical Evidence Chiropractic in Boca Raton, FL, has successfully treated thousands of patients. With a deep personal commitment to bio-optimization, Dr. Lipman has achieved extraordinary levels of strength, endurance, and overall health well into his 60s. His mission is to share the knowledge and processes that have profoundly benefited his life, helping others achieve optimal health and wellness.Dr. Lipman provides his patients with expert diagnosis, non-addictive pain relief, swift corrective care for present conditions, and education in preventative care. His chiropractic practice is a reflection of his personal journey as a patient who experienced significant injuries from a young age and found chiropractic care to be the solution. Combining this with his personal fitness program, Dr. Lipman has gained unique insights into managing musculoskeletal pain both personally and professionally. He offers maintenance solutions to keep his patients pain-free and functional, despite acute or chronic injury.Dr. Lipman's experiences with pain and his education have given him a unique perspective on patient care. He believes that while most healthcare providers focus on structural damage as the cause of musculoskeletal pain, the real issue often lies in the body's mechanical compensation for that damage. By correcting this dysfunction rather than merely treating the pain, Dr. Lipman helps his patients achieve lasting relief. Over time, he has incorporated cutting-edge therapies and devices, such as Deep Tissue Laser Therapy, Whole Body Vibration, Mechanical Motion Therapy, Whole Body Cryotherapy, and Photo Bio Modulation Therapy, to quickly and safely resolve issues.Proud to offer progressive therapies not commonly found in other practices, Dr. Lipman is dedicated to providing empathetic, effective, and proactive relief. His philosophy addresses the daily stressors that impact natural weight-bearing and movement mechanics, which often lead to musculoskeletal problems. With experience owning and operating several fitness-club based healthcare practices, Dr. Lipman is committed to helping patients of all ages achieve pain-free and fit lives, enhancing their structural integrity and overall well-being.Tune in to my conversation with Dr. David Lipman for a far-reaching conversation with a fellow practice owner who has built a great life and a great business by going to bat to help people the best way he knows how. I love learning from practice owners in other fields. It helps me broaden my knowledge and learn new things that can potentially help my own patients.Connect with and learn more about Dr. LipmanPhysical Evidence ChiropracticInstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebook More from Dr. LewellisNeed a dermatologist? Fill out this short interest form, text or call me at 715-391-9774, or email me at drlewellis@aboveandbeyondderm.com if you'd like to have a no obligation discovery call. I can do in office and virtual care in WI and virtual care in MN, IL, NE, AL, and CO.Have an idea for a guest or want to be on the show yourself? Send me a text or email, and we'll see if it's a good fit.

Episode 035 | Joshua Weitz, MD is the CEO and Clinical Director at Dermatology Associates of Rochester. Dr. Weitz specializes in immunology and is passionate about nonsurgical procedures such as CoolSculpting® and miraDry® that use the body's natural immune response to produce results that benefit the patient. He's triple board-certified in internal medicine, allergy/immunology, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine.Born and raised in northern Michigan, Dr. Weitz graduated with Latin honors from Colby College in Maine. He earned his medical degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences followed by an internal medicine residency at the University of Buffalo. He returned to Rochester where he completed a prestigious dual fellowship in allergy/immunology and rheumatology at the University of Rochester.Dr. Weitz also completed a naturopathic, functional, and regenerative medicine fellowship through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and Metabolic Medicine Institute. He has published in peer review journals and presented to groups of physicians as well as the public, both locally and nationally. He enjoys clinical research and the goal of advancing our understanding of health and wellness.Dr. Weitz worked closely with Dr. Robert Loss, Jr. and helped establish an electronic database for Skin Search, the clinical research partner of Dermatology Associates of Rochester.When he's away from work, Dr. Weitz enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and exploring nature through hiking, skiing, and rock climbing.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Weitz

Episode 034 | I had the good fortune of meeting and befriending the delightful and remarkable Niroj Bhandari, MBBS when he was a Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences medical student doing his clinical training at Dhulikhel Hospital in Dhulikhel, Nepal. Jai Nepal!

Episode 033 | Larry Keller, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RHU®, LUTCF (oh my!) of Physician Financial Services is a great person to know if you're in the market for disability insurance. If you're a physician and have never even thought about or heard of disability insurance, he's an even better person to know.There is no shortage of insurance agents and/or financial advisors who work with or want to work with physicians. However, the one thing that cannot be replicated is experience. Working with an Insurance Agent familiar with the underwriting of both disability and life insurance policies can potentially minimize any surprises during the process.Larry spoke at the 2022 Physician Wellness and Financial Literacy Conference (WCICON22) and is a frequent contributor to White Coat Investor. While he might not be a doctor's first phone call regarding their insurance needs, he is often their last.Tune in to hear Larry's story and learn about the vital role disability insurance plays in a physician's overall financial health.Connect with and learn more about Larry Keller, CFP, and Physician Financial Services

Episode 032 | Tofunmi Omiye, MD, MS is an incoming dermatology resident (class of 2028) at Stanford and is currently a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University where he works in the Daneshjou (shout out Roxana!) and Zaba (shout out Lisa!) Labs that are part of the departments of Dermatology and Biomedical Data Science.Dr. Omiye works at the nexus of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and policy. His research covers computer vision, foundation models, and AI bias. His projects have been published in journals like Nature Medicine and featured in media outlets like the Washington Post and AP news.Before Stanford, Tofunmi earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he was privileged to be a Federal Govt. and Shell University Scholar. He later pursued an MS in Health Policy at Stanford while focusing on AI and working in a surgery-AI lab. Here, he explored the utility of machine learning algorithms in clinical settings and how macroeconomic policies influence mortality.Dr. Omiye has previously collaborated on global health projects with the WHO and Gates foundation and had a stint in venture capital supporting early stage investments in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is passionate about helping ensure that AI benefits all patients, and enjoys concerts, and the real Football. ⚽️This episode was recorded in June 2024.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Omiye

Episode 031 | Michael Hersh, MD is a practicing gastroenterologist, coach, and founder of Better Physician Life. When he became an attending in 2009, he hit the ground running. Like many of us, he was excited to build his practice and engage with patients. He joined a small multispecialty group and took on as many leadership opportunities as he could find. If there was a committee that needed a young, eager physician, he was the guy. His position in the group blossomed, and he became a well-respected physician in his community.Everything changed in 2014, as he tells it, with the birth of his daughter. He went from having all of the time he needed for everything he wanted to do, to realizing that every patient and committee meant trading valuable family time for his career. He slowly backed away from the leadership roles, but the extra time quickly became filled with patient care. The more he tried to slow down, the faster everything seemed to move and the less control he had over his day. His family grew even more with the birth of his son in 2017. He stepped away from other activities outside of the home, but was never quite able to untangle himself from the complexities of patient care.Like so many other physicians, he had fallen prey to a mutual fund company and needed to figure out his finances immediately. In his journey to learn as much as possible about that, he found the solution to his problem: The financial independence community. He devoured all of the information he could find and pursued financial independence like it was his only job. He knew that if he could achieve that, he would finally get to live the life he wanted. He could finally carve time out of his day to be with his family. But once he got on the path, nothing changed. He was still working just as hard as before. Scrolling social media one day, he came across physician coaching and looked into it with a healthy dose of skepticisim. He soon typed out the words that would change everything: Something needs to change, but I don't know where to start. When he saw those words in front of him, his decision became clear. He took a huge leap of faith and invested in himself.He continues to practice as a gastroenterologist and also runs his own physician coaching business, Better Physician Life. Tune in to hear more of his transformational story!This episode was recorded in May 2024.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Hersh

Episode 030 | Diana Londoño, MD is 1 of the only 0.5% (1 in 200!) of urologists in the U.S that are both women and Latin. She's also a life coach, writer, speaker, Reiki Master and founder of Physician Coach Support. She's my friend, and she is most definitely #NotAProvider. Dr. Londoño' treats a wide array of urological conditions but doesn't stop there. Her mission is to provide you with compassionate care that you can understand. She enjoys providing care using simple language without fancy words that few people understand. As a board-certified urologist, she doesn't just want to tell you what to do. She thinks it's important to work together as a team and is always happy to do so in English or Spanish. Much like me, Dr. Londoño's goal is to improve and maintain the overall health of her patients. This isn't something that's easy to find in a specialist, especially in a field that can rely much more on procedures than nuanced improvement of health and coaching. She aims to empower you with an understanding of your condition and share with you a comprehensive wellness plan so you can be on a path to life long well being.The treatments she offers are both medical and surgical. She uses open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted techniques for surgical procedures.Not surprisingly, Dr. Londono received the 2022 Physician Leadership Award from the Los Angeles County Medical Association. Education:Bachelors of Arts: Spanish and Biology: Claremont McKenna College.Medical Doctor: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.Residency in Urology: Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles. This episode was recorded in April 2024.Connect with and learn more about Dr. Londoño

Episode 029 | Brittany Busse, MD is the co-founder, president, and Chief Medical Officer of ViTelHealth, Inc and the Founder and CEO of the ViTelHealth Physician Services Cooperative. She has more than seven years of experience in Executive Physician Leadership and in developing processes and technology specific for Telemedicine. Dr. Busse has a keen intuition and is able to make meaningful connections between disparate ideas and systems. She is also able to speak clearly and at a level that most people can immediately relate to and understand, which has led to her being a featured expert and contributor for a variety of local, regional and national media publications. As a physician leader, she is a vocal advocate for the well-being of both physicians and patients. Her curiosity for innovation and technology and her excitement for improving the healthcare system is contagious. As the president and CMO of ViTelHealth, she is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and organizing digital health tools that augment the patient-physician connection and improve outcomes so that everyone can thrive. She launched the ViTel Health Physician Services Cooperative in 2024 to empower physicians to work together to improve healthcare delivery and to create a bridge from employed work to thriving in independent practice. Please note that this was recorded in April 2024. Check out the links below for the latest on Dr. Busse's mission and vision.Connect with Dr. Busse, ViTelHealth and The Physician Services Cooperative

Episode 028 | Aamir Hussain, MD, MAPP is a board-certified dermatologist who is currently practicing in Northern Virginia.He is an internationally-recognized speaker, writer and educator on health policy, medical education and interfaith dialogue. He speaks five languages and enjoys teaching and working with diverse patient populations. Dr. Hussain has won multiple teaching awards from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored several book chapters and written for prestigious media outlets, such as The New York Times. Dr. Hussain completed his medical degree and master's degree in public policy at the University of Chicago, and his dermatology residency at Georgetown University. He is known as the Pun-isher due to his penchant for bad puns.In this episode:

Episode 027 | Amna Shabbir, MD, CPC is passionate about helping doctors thrive in life after medical training as an early career physician. She is the Founder of Early Career Physicians Institute, a Certified Wellness and Life Coach, Dual Board-certified Geriatrician-Internist and Super Mom to two young girls.In this episode:

Episode 026 | Luká Yancopoulos is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Grapevine, a groundbreaking startup that is transforming the healthcare supply chain. Since its launch in 2022, Grapevine has made waves in the industry, including earning the prestigious President's Innovation Prize the same year for its outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship. Under Luká's leadership, Grapevine has secured approximately $4,000,000 in funding and partnered with more than 400 businesses across the United States. The Grapevine platform enables clients to save up to 50% on medical supply costs, reduce order times by over 90%, and seamlessly work with multiple vendors, thereby accelerating procurement and delivery processes.The Grapevine leadership team is committed to addressing critical issues in the healthcare supply chain, including:- Hidden Costs of Single Supplier Dependency in Healthcare Supply Chains- Inefficiencies in Medical Goods Transport- Warehousing Costs in Medical Supplies (a hidden killer!)- Managing Backorders in Large Hospitals- Embracing Digital TransformationLuká's thought leadership has been featured on prominent podcasts such as The Healthcare Leadership Experience, Healthcare Untold, and Health Innovators Show and notable publications including Medical Economics, Healthcare Express, and Healthcare Business Today. Grapevine has been highlighted in major outlets like USA Today and Benzinga.As you will hear, Luká is committed to inspiring and educating healthcare professionals on the importance of digital transformation in supply chain management.In this episode:

Episode 025 | Dr. Teo Soleymani, a Los Angeles native, one of my Stanford residency mates, and founder of California Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Specialists (CDMS), completed his undergraduate studies in Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. He went on to graduate from the UC Irvine School of Medicine, where he received numerous accolades for academic excellence including induction into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Dr. Soleymani completed his internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was awarded the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching with Humanism Award. He went on to complete his residency at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. While at Stanford, Dr. Soleymani worked with world-renowned experts in cutaneous oncology and complex skin diseases. Following residency, he completed a rigorous fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Cutaneous Oncology, and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Zitelli and Brodland Skin Cancer Center under the tutelage of John Zitelli, M.D. Considered by many to be the world's most prestigious and competitive fellowship, the program is directed by both John Zitelli, M.D. and David Brodland, M.D, widely considered to be two of the pre-eminent authorities in Mohs surgery. Notably, Dr. Zitelli, was trained directly by Dr. Frederic E. Mohs, the founder and pioneer of Mohs micrographic surgery. This direct lineage from Dr. Mohs enables Dr. Soleymani to give his patients the highest-quality Mohs surgery experience. Dr. Soleymani's unique fellowship training was the only program in the world that included fellowship training in both Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well. As a result he is one of only a handful of Mohs Surgeons in the world with dedicated specialized training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well, allowing him to provide the best possible functional and aesthetic reconstructive results. Prior to founding CDMS, Dr. Soleymani practiced as a full-time Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at UCLA, where he was also the Director of the Pigmented Lesions and Melanoma Clinic, as well as Co-Director of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship Education and Resident Surgery Education programs. During his tenure at UCLA, Dr. Soleymani received local and national acclaim for introducing pioneering surgical treatments such as Mohs micrographic surgery with intra-operative immunostaining for melanoma and other high risk skin cancers. He developed UCLA's first Mohs Surgery for Melanoma program.In his spare time, Dr. Soleymani enjoys spending quality time with his wife and children, staying active, and traveling.Coincidentally, this episode is dropping on the one year anniversary of CDMS, Dr. Soleymani's now thriving private practice. Congratulations to him and his team!In this episode:

Episode 024 | Dr. Nicholas D. Brownstone received a BA degree in Psychology from Cornell University and attended medical school at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson. He trained for over 3 years as a resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery before switching to a career in Dermatology. Dr. Brownstone completed a fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco Department of Dermatology in Psoriasis, Phototherapy and Clinical Research and a fellowship in melanoma at the National Society for Cutaneous Medicine/Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. He is currently a Dermatology resident at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, among other collaborations with dermsquared, hosts Cutaneous Miscellaneous, a fantastic podcast geared towards dermatology residents.In this episode:

Episode 023 | Dr. Oxana Ormonova is a board-certified Internal Medicine Physician, Clairvoyant, Spiritual Healer, and Intuitive Life Coach gifted with insight and perception to facilitate deep transformation and healing on spiritual, emotional, and mental levels. From a very young age, Oxana realized she was different – being able to see and feel things no one else could. As a physician, this talent was helpful to others, but painful for herself, as Oxana could feel all the pain of her patients and colleagues.Through much trial and error, she found a way to embody her intuitive gifts and feel great in her body, and it's these secrets she's now passionate about sharing with others. Oxana's greatest love (other than diving into the Pacific with her marine family) is empowering people by helping them heal themselves on all levels – physical, emotional, and spiritual. She works with people all over the globe, from physicians, to business executives, to coaches and entrepreneurs. She also teaches others how to develop their intuition and maintain energetic boundaries.In this episode:

Episode 022 | Dr. Meena Julapalli is triple board-certified in pediatrics, dermatology, and pediatric dermatology. After 7 years in academics as an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the University of Texas - Austin and the University of Colorado, she opened her own direct care pediatric dermatology practice, Bluebird Dermatology, in Houston, Texas. Dr. Julapalli is passionate about providing comprehensive, integrative, and personalized care that acknowledges and supports not just the physical aspects of her patients' skin conditions but also their unique social and emotional needs. She believes that by fostering sacred relationships of love, trust, and mutual respect and creating an environment and community whereby children and families affected by skin disease feel seen, heard, understood, valued, and supported, they are empowered, transformed, and healed in profound and life-changing ways. Dr. Julapalli has been blessed to facilitate and witness these transformations through her involvement with support groups and camp programs throughout the country, including the American Academy of Dermatology-sponsored Camp Discovery, Paul Newman's SeriousFun Network, and the American Camp Association, as well as through local workshops and healing circles that she leads. She is the founder of The Joyful Path, whose mission is to help children build the intuition of how to nourish their mind, body, and soul so that they may live, love, and serve generously with an open heart, intention, and purpose.In addition to her philanthropic pursuits in her local and national communities, Dr. Julapalli is dedicated to serving children abroad. She has volunteered her time and expertise at a pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic in Lesotho, Africa, at orphanages and schools in Nicaragua, with children and adults with albinism in Tanzania, and most recently with people in impoverished villages in northern Thailand.Dr. Julapalli's adventures also include being a children's book author, wisdom coach and yoga instructor for kids, Reiki master, world explorer (she has been to all 7 continents, all 50 states), avid hiker, meditator, sound healer/instrumentalist, and amateur swing dancer!She's also simply one of the most truly joyful and generous people I've ever met. I'm honored and grateful to call her a friend and colleague.In this episode:

Episode 021 | If you're a specialist who knows there has to be a better way but doesn't know where to start, start with Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, FACR, visionary Founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall and the Direct Specialty Care Alliance.She's one of my heroes, and I'm so grateful she took the time to share her wisdom and experience with us. Rheumatologist OnCall is a telemedicine company delivering specialized care to arthritis and autoimmune disease patients across multiple U.S. states. This innovative platform grants access to top rheumatology experts from the comfort of patients' homes, overcoming the typical delays of up to 6 months for specialist appointments. It provides timely, compassionate, evidence-based care at affordable and transparent pricing.The company is built upon a groundbreaking healthcare model known as direct specialty care, offering a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition, mindfulness, physical therapy, and cutting-edge medicine.Educational background: Dr. Girnita is double board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine. She holds a PhD in immunology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, an immunology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, and a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, she graduated from the Nutrition Science course at Stanford University and a Mindfulness course at The University of Massachusetts.Recognized as a "Top Doctor" from 2017-2020, Dr. Girnita was featured in the New York Times, she is frequently invited guest speaker of the National Arthritis Foundation and American Congress of Rheumatology. She generously shares her expertise on her popular YouTube channel, boasting over 65,000 subscribers and more than 5 million views. In this episode:

Episode 020 | I'm excited to bring you an excerpt form a recent episode of the wonderful Dermasphere podcast hosted by Drs. Luke Johnson and Michelle Tarbox.This is episode 130 for them. They've been at this for a while and have amassed a bit of a cult following. The show is fun and wildly educational.I'm grateful to Luke and Michelle for allowing me to cross-post the interview on The Direct Care Derm feed. If you enjoy it, be sure to support them by checking out more episodes of Dermasphere!

Episode 018 | Building a successful direct care dermatology practice may not be rocket science, but even if it was, Dr. Miguel Villacorta would still crush it. He's one of my heroes in direct care dermatology, and I can't wait for you to learn from him.Dr. Villacorta is a board-certified dermatologist, the visionary founder of Galt Dermatology & Concierge Medicine, and an advocate for transformative healthcare. He holds a degree in Osteopathic Medicine and a Master's in Public Health, which underpin his mission to revolutionize the patient experience through compassionate, high-quality care. His innovative approach led to the establishment of South Florida's first direct care dermatology service and the pioneering of a joint direct primary care and dermatology clinic.Before embarking on his medical journey, Dr. Villacorta's eclectic career spanned from engineering to entrepreneurship. He assisted in the launch of space shuttle missions 104 and 105 as an electrical engineer at NASA and honed his industrial engineering skills at UPS. As the director of business development for JET Group, Inc., his strategic insights propelled the company to twice rank in the INC5000.Dr. Villacorta's patient-first approach is driven by a commitment to transform the healthcare experience. He aims to provide high-quality, individualized care, upholding the highest standards of respect and dignity for patients and healthcare providers alike. Influenced by his summers in rural Spain, he brings a sense of community and personal touch to his practice.Away from work, Dr. Villacorta values family time with his wife and children and engages in cooking, travel, and tennis, activities that complement his dedication to a balanced lifestyle.Please note -- this episode was recorded a few months ago. As of this week, Dr. Villacorta's brand new website that we discuss in the show is up and running and looks great!In this episode:

Episode 018 | Matt Ohrt is the Co-Founder and Chief Healthcare Officer of Self Fund Health, Wisconsin's Sustainable Health Plan.Matt Ohrt and Jon Baran cofounded Self Fund Health to help brokers and employers write their own healthcare success stories. Self Fund Health combines traditional TPA, PBM, Direct Primary Care, and Direct Contracts under a single technology platform to dramatically simplify what's needed for employers to succeed. By implementing similar approaches, progressive employers across Wisconsin have saved 10-30% on overall healthcare costs.In this episode:

Episode 017 | Dr. Susan Baumgaertel is an internal medicine physician with over 30 years of clinical experience. In 2020, she launched MenopauseMenu, a free informational website providing nourishing support for menopause and beyond.Soon after that, she stepped away from direct patient care and founded a novel telemedicine business model, myMDadvocate. She uses her extensive medical experience and expertise to serve patients by providing medical consultation and advocacy support. Common topics include aging with intent, preventive care, menopause, chronic diseases, autoimmune conditions, weight management, behavioral health, cancer and survivorship support, caregiver stress, coping with chronic pain, and referral advocacy.In 2023, she published her first book "The Menopause Menu"—an all-in-one giftbook, medical guide, and recipe book for navigating menopause.In this episode:

Episode 016 | Have you ever felt tangled in the web of healthcare law? You're not alone, and help is just a click away. Amanda B. Hill, JD, healthcare lawyer and CEO of Guard My Practice, hears this all the time from doctors like us. She's here to help us cut through the confusion and fear. Think of her as your friendly expert, turning legal complexities into something you can not only understand but use.We're great at medicine, and she's here to make sure legal hurdles don't slow us down. No more losing sleep over contracts or employee issues. Her courses are straightforward – no fluff, just the essential legal know-how you need without the mounting legal bills when they aren't necessary. In her courses, she dives into contract details, regulatory compliance, and more, all tailored for a doctor's busy schedule.She's also a true advocate for doctor's, a humorous speaker and writer, and a lovely person. Enjoy the show!In this episode:

Episode 015 | I'm thrilled and grateful to bring you a recent episode of the Physicians and Properties podcast from Dr. Alex Schloe on which I was a guest.Tune in for a great story about how I met my real estate investor agent and now business partner and plenty more.It's an opportunity to hear me answering more than asking. It's also a peak into another part of my life that brings me joy, personal and professional growth, new relationships and challenges, and financial diversification.The mission of the Physicians and Properties is simple and empowering: Teaching physicians how investing in real estate can give you the freedom to practice medicine and live life how you want!If you enjoy this episode, consider checking out some more of Dr. Schloe's show. I'm grateful to him and his team for allowing us to include this episode in our feed.If you prefer video, check out the episode on YouTube.In this episode:

Episode 014 | I'm excited to bring you something a bit different for which full credit goes to the wonderful and generous Janelle Ball, founder & CEO at BC Educators, LLC. My conversation with Janelle originally appeared on her excellent podcast, That's Derm Good!, so that's why it sounds different than a typical episode of The Direct Care Derm. If you enjoy it, consider checking out some other episodes of her show.Janelle and her team have made patient access their priority, which is a big job. If you're not a doctor and have never heard of a biologic coordinator, I'm not surprised. These individuals and teams play a critical but often unsung role in navigating the complex, costly, and opaque road from the moment a physician in the U.S. prescribes a biologic medication to the moment the patient finally receives the first dose. While our conversation is about my approach to holistic care within dermatology rather than the specific role of the biologic coordinator, it's important to remember the role biologic coordinators play so we can recognize and properly value the work they do.Enjoy!In this episode:

Episode 013 | Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard-trained dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, wife, mom, and skin enthusiast. She's on a mission to help educate people with real skincare, beauty, and cosmetic guidance and advice curated by true skin experts. She loves taking care of her patients at her practice, Baucom and Mina Derm Surgery, in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Mina has been practicing dermatology with a focus on dermatologic surgery for over a decade and truly loves what she does. She's also the creator and host of The Skin Real, a podcast that allows her to bring skincare education to a broader population because healthy skin begins from the inside out and requires real skincare education and guidance.And, don't be fooled by the title, there's nothing impolite about her :)In this episode:

Episode 012 | Bryson Bernarde is the founder and owner of United Social Media Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in Wausau, WI.He founded his company at age 14, making him a veteran of small business ownership and digital marketing at only 22 years old.He's an active leader and participant in local and international Toastmasters meetings and numerous other local groups. He recently moved back to Wausau, WI after playing college baseball in Michigan and is taking the town by storm. I'm grateful to know him. In this episode:

Episode 011 | Sarah Asch, MD, FAAP, FAAD is a trailblazer in direct care pediatric dermatology. She's on a mission to expand high-quality pediatric dermatology care throughout underserved areas of the Upper Midwest and beyond. She LOVES her work in pediatric dermatology, and she wanted to love her job again. She decided to solve that problem by founding Hometown Pediatric Dermatology. Join us for the Part 2 of a wide ranging, provocative, educational, and fun conversation with a wildly talented doctor and delightful person. Part 1 aired last week as episode 010.(This episode is marked as explicit. It's just one little a$$ :)In this episode:

Episode 010 | Sarah Asch, MD, FAAP, FAAD is a trailblazer in direct care pediatric dermatology. She's on a mission to expand high-quality pediatric dermatology care throughout underserved areas of the Upper Midwest and beyond. She LOVES her work in pediatric dermatology, and she wanted to love her job again. She decided to solve that problem by founding Hometown Pediatric Dermatology. Join us for the Part 1 of a wide ranging, provocative, educational, and fun conversation with a wildly talented doctor and delightful person. Part 2 will be out next Thursday.(This episode is marked as explicit. It's just one tiny BS. :)In this episode:

Episode 009 | Kathleen Brown, MD, is a visionary and pioneer in bringing high quality, affordable, accessible dermatology care directly to the people without the interference of meddling third parties. Join us as we explore her career and learn how we too can build a successful direct specialty care business, practice medicine with joy, and make lots of people happy along the way. In this episode:

Episode 008 | New York City-based functional medicine doctor for chronic foot and ankle pain, Dr. Robert Kornfeld, on his journey from the doldrums of insurance-dependency to a thriving and joyful, direct care, functional podiatry practice.In this episode:

Episode 007 | Resident physician, podcaster, and blogger, Dr. Bryce Bowers, on hitting rock bottom and fighting his way back with a little help from his friends (and family).In this episode:

Episode 006 | Physician and author, Dr. Dhaval Desai, on his experience burning out on the COVID front lines, recovering, and living to write about it.In this episode:

Episode 005 | In this episode, we share a a sneak peek of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stephen Lewellis' upcoming eBook entitled:Your Derm's Secret to Looking 40 at 50 without Needles & Knives — Your Simple, Cost-Effective, Science-Based System to Looking Younger than Your Friends Starts Today

Episode 004 | Dr. Adam Swigost on his journey to building a solo direct care practice in his home state of North Dakota.Dr. Adam Swigost is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Dapper Dermatology, North Dakota's first and only entirely virtual dermatology clinic. As a North Dakota native, Dr. Swigost wanted to create a clinic that would help to expand access to dermatology services in a state where wait times can exceed several months. Additionally, Dapper Dermatology is a direct patient care clinic that is working to lower costs, increase financial transparency, and improve access to dermatology services. Dr. Swigost is an advocate for physician autonomy and reinvigorating the patient-physician relationship. Dr. Swigost completed his undergraduate degrees and medical training at the University of North Dakota. He completed his internship through the University of Central Florida in Ocala, FL, and his dermatology residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the Gay and Lesbian Dermatology Association.Thank you to my partners at RegimenPro for sponsoring the Treat Yo' Self Skincare Giveaway! Learn more here.