2021 Integrative Dermatology Symposium Lectures

Dr. Akil Palanisamy is the author of the bestseller "The Paleovedic Diet - A complete program to burn fat, increase energy, and reverse disease". Dr. Akil studied biochemistry at Harvard University, received his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed his residency at Stanford University. He also completed a fellowship in integrative medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil at the University of Arizona, and is certified by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine at Georgetown University.

After finishing Medical School and Dermatology Residency at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Bodemer completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She was the first Dermatologist to be board certified in both Dermatology and Integrative Medicine and currently is the only Dermatologist to serve on the Integrative Medicine Board. She has authored academic texts and curriculum and has spoken widely on a variety of topics related to Integrative Dermatology. She has always been drawn to exploring how lifestyle choices impact skin health and disease and feels that the most powerful role a physician can play is as an educator and guide, empowering people to get healthy and stay healthy.

After completing my Acupuncture Studies in 1989, I specialized in palpation based acupuncture influenced by Japanese styles, mainly Master Nagano and Kiiko Matsumoto, as well as Master Kawai. Blending the Japanese styles of acupuncture with European micro-systems and Low Level Laser therapies became a gentle, yet a very powerful treatment modality.

Dr. Aickara graduated from the Florida State University College of Medicine in 2020. She works in VALRICO, FL and specializes in Internal Medicine.

Dr. Norton is associate dean of clinical education as well as an assistant professor at Bastyr University California in San Diego. She is a faculty supervisor at Bastyr University Clinic and also teaches several courses including aspects of cardiovascular medicine and dermatology. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Hampshire and her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine for the University of Bridgeport. Past experience includes private practice in the northeast as well as 10 years working in various roles for the College of Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Bridgeport.

Dr. Norton is certified in "First Line Therapy," a proven program that incorporates personal lifestyle medicine and supports changes such as healthy nutrition, nutritional protocols, exercise and stress management. She is currently working on her certification in functional medicine, through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Other more specific interests include endocrine disorders (including thyroid disease, diabetes), cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, mental health issues (including depression and anxiety), autoimmune disease, allergies, skin disorders, intestinal disorders and women’s health. Her philosophy revolves around the fact that health is a state of homeostasis, where all systems of the body function optimally and waste is eliminated efficiently. She works with her student clinicians and their patients to uncover the cause of imbalance, enhance elimination of toxins and facilitate restoration of health. Together with the patient they work together to formulate a plan that is realistic and attainable and includes lifestyle recommendations, nutritional supplements, herbs, hydrotherapy and other remedies such as homeopathy.

Fabrizio Galimberti is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Miami. He obtained his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology at Dartmouth College investigating the role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in epithelial cancers. He obtained his MD from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and completed his residency in Dermatology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. Dr. Galimberti is interested in chronic inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and how they affect more than the skin. Dr. Galimberti is also interested in how biologics may affect other organs beside the targeted one (the skin) and how holistic approaches may benefit patients with chronic conditions. Dr. Galimberti is the principal investigator and/or sub-investigators in clinical and mechanistic studies of chronic inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Francene Steinberg is a Professor of Nutrition and Chair of the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and directs the Didactic Program in Dietetics at UC Davis. Dr. Steinberg’s research program focuses on foods, food components and food choices which impact health outcomes. She has over 20 years of research expertise in conducting human randomized clinical trials to study endothelial function, inflammation, markers of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, and metabolic homeostasis. Her particular areas of interest are the physiologic effects of bioactive food components on health, including skin health, and on decreasing chronic disease risk markers.

Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov is a board-certified dermatologist with extensive research experience. Throughout his training and in daily practice, he has always believed that the key to achieving health for his patients is grounded in his ability to truly connect to their experiences and perceptions of health and well-being. Maimonides, one of the greatest philosophers of all time realized that human knowledge, often represented as "science," is limited. As a physician, he feels he would be a fool to believe all is known. Maimonides said, "The physician should not treat the disease but the patient who is suffering from it." LearnSkin is his journey to a better understanding of his patients.

Dr. Hawkes is a board-certified dermatologist and Investigator at the Oregon Medical Research Center in Portland, Oregon. He completed his medical school and residency at the University of Utah. During medical school, he completed a fellowship in translational immunology in the NIH-HHMI Research Scholars Program. He also received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation from Rockefeller University, where he was Chief Clinical Scholar and Principal and sub-Investigator on multiple human research protocols in the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology. He has held academic appointments in the Departments of Dermatology at the University of Utah, University of California-Davis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Hawkes is a current Councilor in the International Psoriasis Council and serves on the NPF Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee. He also serves as the official delegate of the AAD as a member of the international guidelines and workgroup committee for urticaria. His research has been funded by the NIH, NSF, NPF, and Dermatology Foundation, and he is the recipient of several teaching awards including NPF Outstanding Educator in Psoriatic Disease and Exceptional Teacher of the Year in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai. His primary clinical and research interests include novel immune therapies for inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, HS, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and urticaria.

Dr. Jennifer Ornelas is a board-certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist. She has conducted translational research investigating botanical extracts as novel treatment options for acne and earned a master’s in clinical and translational research. She is passionate about working with children and adults alike and providing excellent care to all of her patients. She is committed to serving the medically underserved populations of the region and strives to provide culturally competent specialist care in her practice.

Jonette Keri, MD PhD is an Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of Miami and Chief of the Dermatology Service at the VA Hospital. Over the years, Dr. Keri continued to expand her expertise in the field of acne. She is motivated by her patients with acne and has remained involved in various activities to promote the care and study of the condition. 

Dr. Keri is an author on the most recent Acne Guidelines, published by the American Academy of Dermatology, and an invited member for the recently initiated guidelines. In addition, she is involved in the Acne Core Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), where they strive to identify and clarify outcome measures in acne, and is a member of the International Dermatology Outcome Measure group (IDEOM).

Being involved in national and international activities that support and expand acne research is an integral part of Dr. Keri's long-term goal to help as many people as possible with this condition. She understands that the expansion of integrative dermatology is essential for providers to access all treatment options associated with the common condition of acne.

Dr. Julie Greenberg is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and Registered Herbalist RH(AHG) who specializes in integrative dermatology. She is the founder of the Center for Integrative Dermatology, a holistic clinic that approaches skin and hair problems by finding and treating the root cause. Dr. Greenberg holds degrees from Northwestern University (BA), Stanford University (MBA) and Bastyr University (ND). Her research on the gut microbiome of acne patients has been published in a leading peer-reviewed clinical dermatology journal. While at naturopathic medical school, Dr. Greenberg received training with leading experts in dermatology at the University of Washington Medical School Dermatology Clinic and Seattle Children’s Hospital Pediatric Dermatology Clinic. She lectures at naturopathic medical schools and speaks at conferences across the U.S. on the topics of hair, skin and nails.

Dr. Stolman is a board-certified dermatologist, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, a masters in business health administration, a black belt in Lean Six Sigma, in dermatology practice more than 20 years specializing in management of hyperhidrosis, and is currently in private practice at Park City Dermatology in Park City, Utah.

Katherine Varman, MD is a dermatologist who works in private practice in Northern California. She graduated from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, during which she completed an additional year as a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. After an intern year in Chattanooga, TN, she returned to UNC-CH for dermatology residency. Dr. Varman specializes in treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis with a unique blend of conventional and functional medicine practices. She also has a passion for photo-immunology and seeks to revitalize phototherapy as an indispensable tool in dermatology. She is also a homesteader and enjoys an active farm life with her husband and children.

Dr. Michael Traub's father was a dermatologist, and this inspired him to become the leading expert in skin in the naturopathic profession. He has taught dermatology at five of the seven accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America and is the author of “Essentials of Dermatologic Diagnosis and Integrative Therapeutics.” He has been medical director of Lokahi Health Center in Kailua Kona, Hawaii for the past 32 years. He has been actively engaged in clinical research throughout most of his career. His most recent investigation is “Efficacy and Safety of Kamedis Eczema Treatment in Children and Adults with Atopic Dermatitis.”

Dr. Michelle Jeffries is an Integrative Dermatologist in private practice in Phoenix, AZ. She is a triple board-certified osteopathic physician in Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Integrative Medicine. Dr. Jeffries also has a Masters degree in Psychology and is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner. Her training and background has led her to a unique individualized holistic approach to skin health that blends mind, body and spirit with skincare. To learn more about Dr. Jeffries and Integrative Dermatology visit www.drmichellejeffries.com.

Dr. Olivia Hsu Friedman holds a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, completed an additional diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology and is a NCCAOM board licensed Illinois acupuncturist. She is the owner of Amethyst Holistic Skin Solutions and treats dermatology patients in office and via video conference using only herbal medicine. Outside of the office, Olivia serves as a Board Member for the American Society of Acupuncturists and as faculty for the Chicago Eczema Support Center.

Dr. Paradi Mirmirani completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Dermatology and a clinical hair research fellowship at the University of California San Francisco. She is practicing at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vallejo, California where she serves as the assistant chief of dermatology, the regional director for hair disorders and the local research chair. In addition to having faculty appointments at the University of California, San Francisco and Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Mirmirani has over 50 peer review publications and regularly lectures at national and international conferences on various hair disorders topics. Dr. Mirmirani co-authored “Cicatricial Alopecia: An Approach to Diagnosis and Management”, the first book dedicated to the topic. Her awards include the UCSF Outstanding Clinical Teacher, and the San Francisco Dermatologic Society’s Key Dermatology Leader for hair. Along with her clinical and research activities, she serves on the scientific advisory board of the Cicatricial Alopecia Research Foundation, is on the clinical research advisory board for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the North American Hair Research Society

Peter Koshland, PharmD is a graduate of Georgetown University (1996) and the University of California at San Francisco School of Pharmacy (2000). Peter opened his compounding pharmacy, Koshland Pharm, in 2009 in San Francisco, and has continued to work with doctors and patients on individualized, integrative therapies that make a difference in the quality of patients’ day-to-day lives. He trains and consults with doctors across the state of California in the areas of hormone replacement, thyroid disorders, and compounding applications for dermatology, urology, and pain management.

Dr. Peter Lio is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, completed his internship in Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, and his Dermatology training at Harvard where he served as Chief Resident in Dermatology. Dr. Lio is the founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center and has spoken nationally and internationally about atopic dermatitis, as well as alternative medicine.

Dr. Radha Mikkilineni has 20 years of experience in dermatology and practices the full range of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. With a background in biophysics and physiology, epidemiology and dermatopathology, Dr. Mikkilineni has a keen understanding of the science of the skin. Her key interests are in the fields of telemedicine and integrative dermatology, particularly regarding the management of chronic skin disease, wellness and anti-aging. She is a recent graduate of the Learn Skin Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program and CEO and Founder of a mobile digital software application, Skinsage, Inc. She is committed to combining the best of traditional and alternative dermatology and adapting the digital space to better serve doctors and patients.

Dr. Mikkilineni received her medical degree from Georgetown Medical School. She completed her internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital, her dermatology residency at Case Western Reserve-University Hospitals of Cleveland and her dermatopathology fellowship at New York University. She holds two master’s degrees in Physiology and Biophysics as well as in Biostatistics and Epidemiology (The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine). She is board certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Cornell Medical School, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Prior to moving to New York City she was the medical director of a private, group specialty dermatology practice in downtown Washington, DC and an Instructor of Dermatology and Pathology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Dr. Raja Sivamani is a board-certified dermatologist and practices as an integrative dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit.He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California Northstate University, College of Medicine.He engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research.He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skin care.

Dr. Renee McLeod has over 40 years of experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner, educator, and administrator. She has practiced in 6 States and overseas while her husband was on active duty in the Navy. She is a past national President and Clinical Practice Chair for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). Dr. McLeod is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the area of infant and pediatric skincare in the primary care setting, and the use of wireless technology and telehealth to advance interdisciplinary education of healthcare professionals and support evidence-based practice. She has consulted with many nursing programs and businesses over the years on how to implement technology into the nursing curriculum and bridge technology into practice. She is a consultant and advisory board member for 6 national and international companies including Johnson and Johnson Baby and the NAPNAP Foundation where she is Vice President.

Dr. McLeod is currently pursuing her passion to focus on prevention and a healthy life style instead of disease by starting a pediatric integrative health practice in La Jolla, CA with a Pediatrician colleague. Her practice will focus on combining Ayurveda with traditional Western Medicine. The goal is to create a new model of collaboration for pediatric care by bringing together practitioners in many fields of healing to educate and nurture families along their journey to health. The practice will utilize the highest standards of conventional, complimentary and alternative medicine in a child-centered health model. The practice is dedicated to furthering evidenced-based research and education in the field of integrative pediatrics. Pacific Integrative Pediatric Health is scheduled to open early in 2020.

Dr. Daveluy is a professor and program director at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a bachelor's in science from Michigan State University. He completed medical school and his dermatology residency at Wayne State University.

He holds special interests in teledermatology, noninvasive skin imaging, skin of color, integrative dermatology, and complex medical dermatology, including hidradenitis suppurativa. He is active on AAD committees, including Performance Measure and DataDerm Oversight. He is the past president of the Wayne County Medical Society and Michigan Dermatological Society. He serves on the board of directors of the HS Foundation and editorial board for the JAAD and JAAD Case Reports and is building a growing body of publications of his own. He lives across the border in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with his husband and two very spoiled dogs

Suhani Bora, MD is currently the Director of Integrative Health and Core faculty at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) and Lawrence Family Medicine Residency (LFMR) in Lawrence, MA. After completing medical school at the University of Michigan, Suhani trained in family medicine at the University of Wisconsin. Following residency, she joined the faculty at GLFHC/LFMR in Lawrence, MA, which is an urban, primarily Spanish speaking, city north of Boston. While at GLFHC she learned Spanish and was introduced to group medical visits through Centering Pregnancy

Her interest in integrative medicine and exploring the evidence behind the traditional healing practices used by her patients led her back to Madison, WI where she completed a fellowship in Academic Integrative Medicine. As a fellow, she developed Whole Health Group Visits, a series of lifestyle- focused group visits to discuss wellness topics and address loneliness. Following the fellowship, Suhani resumed her work with underserved communities by bringing Whole Health Group Visits, along with new integrative medicine tools, into her primary care practice at a federally qualified health center in Madison, WI before returning to GLFHC / LFMR in Lawrence, MA.

Dr. Vivien Fam received a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biology from UC Davis and is also a Registered Dietitian. She has always been interested in the effects of nutrition on skin health, from acute conditions such as pressure ulcers to chronic medical conditions such as acne and psoriasis to cosmetic concerns such as facial wrinkles, dryness, and dullness. Dr. Fam also believes that nutrition recommendations should be targeted to a person's dietary habits and preferences which can be influenced by traditions, cultures, and socioeconomic status. Her research interests include the effects of whole foods and functional foods on skin health and other chronic conditions.