2022 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.

Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. Combining a Harvard education and a lifetime of practicing natural and preventive medicine, he is the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, where he is a clinical professor of medicine and professor of public health. A New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Weil is the author of 15 books on health and wellbeing, including Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better, and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own; Fast Food, Good Food; True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure; Spontaneous Happiness; Healthy Aging; and Eight Weeks to Optimum Health. He is the editorial director of DrWeil.com, the leading online resource for healthy living based on the philosophy of integrative medicine. He is also a founder and partner in the growing family of True Food Kitchen restaurants.

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.

Armpit envy; it’s something I’m sure most have not experienced, or even considered. For those with HS, this is a normal occurrence. Being constantly aware of your clothing, drainage and odor are things that no one else takes into account on a normal day, but they are constantly running through the head of someone with HS. Wearing tank tops in summer, let alone bathing suits, strike fear in our hearts. I have tried, like most of us, almost everything to help with my HS. Some “treatments” made the situation worse and just added insult to injury. I was finally advised to see a surgeon and begrudgingly agreed. This consultation led me to the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. It has had a tremendous impact on my HS, and as a result, my entire life.

I've suffered from Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) for over years, beginning at the age of 10 as recurrent boil-like abscesses and I wasn’t diagnosed until 16 (like most with HS, it's typically a 7-10 year timeframe to diagnosis). I didn’t share my condition with anyone for fear of being seen as “gross” and unclean, which continued into adulthood. It wasn’t until I had wide excision surgery 5 years ago that I began telling people about my HS. 

I met Denise in an HS support group, and as a result, HS Connect (hsconnect.org) was born. Our patient-led non-profit organization focuses on eradicating misconceptions and stigmas, spreading factual and accurate information, and providing resources for everyone who suffers, including the medical community. 

I have 2 daughters with HS, a biological daughter 15, Stage 2 and stepdaughter, age 19, Stage 1. I hope to help eliminate the shame that HS patients face and move HS in the right direction with the help of HS Connect as a patient, parent, and advocate.

Dr. Cassandra Quave is Curator of the Emory University Herbarium and Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory University, where she leads antibiotic drug discovery research initiatives and teaches undergraduate courses on medicinal plants, food and health. Trained as a medical ethnobotanist, her research is focused on the documentation and biochemical analysis of botanical remedies used in the traditional treatment of infectious and inflammatory skin disease. To date, she has authored more than 60 publications, 2 edited books and 3 patents. Dr. Quave is a Past President of the President of the Society for Economic Botany, an international society with the mission of fostering research and education on the past, present, and future uses of plants by people. Her work has been profiled in the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic Channel, and featured on NPR and several major news outlets. Learn more about her research by visiting her website or following her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

DiAnne S. Davis, MD, MS is a board certified dermatologist with an emphasis on cosmetic dermatology, hair loss, and treating of skin color.

She completed her undergraduate education from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She also obtained a master’s of science degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from Tulane University. She then received her medical degree from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences along with the Walter F. Rosen Award for Outstanding Student in Dermatology.

Dr. Davis completed her dermatology residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she was chief resident her senior year of residency training. While in residency Dr. Davis was influential in coordinating the first Skin of Color Symposium helping to promote awareness of the unique features of skin of color from both a medical and cosmetic dermatologic viewpoint. She has several journal articles and textbook chapters (both for medical and cosmetic dermatology) and presented some of her work at local and regional dermatology meetings. She is also the Co-Founder of Sunblock Kids which helps to bring awareness about the importance of sun protection at an early age.

Dr. Davis believes in a collaborative approach when it comes to helping her patients look and feel their best. Taking into account the aesthetic goals her patients want to achieve, Dr. Davis creates a comprehensive treatment D plan utilizing advanced technology through the viewpoint of an artist (as a classically trained ballet dancer).

Dr. Davis is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Society for Dermatologic Surgeons (ASDS), the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), and the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS). Dr. Davis served as the resident liaison for ASDS, a member of the curriculum task force for the AAD, and has received scholarships for mentorship opportunities through the ASDS.

She is the daughter of the late Fred Davis, Jr. and Sherill Davis and a proud native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her interests outside of medicine include yoga and dancing, and she was previously a NFL cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints football team. She enjoys international travel, trying new cuisines, and spending time with her family and friends.

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. Iltefat Hamzavi is a dermatologist who works at Henry Ford Hospital and Hamzavi/Dermatology Specialists. His work has a focus on vitiligo, photomedicine, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Within vitiligo his work has focused on improving phototherapy options for vitiligo patients. His group has also led North American efforts in developing surgical treatments for vitiligo. He has participated in developing the VASI score and updated scores as a way to measure treatment response for vitiligo patients. He is also one of the founders and Co-chair of the Global Vitiligo Foundation. This is a group which aims to improve the lives of vitiligo patients by supporting initiatives like the World Vitiligo Day and vitiligo research updates. He is a passionate metro Detroiter, husband, and father of 3.

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.

Jessica completed her BSc at York University in Toronto, ON and has completed her Doctor of Naturopathy degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She believes that integrative medicine with an evidence-based approach can allow practitioners to better support patients and optimize patient care. Jessica is passionate about bridging naturopathic and conventional medicine in clinical dermatology.

Dr. Joseph Alban is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Board Certified Herbalist. He has run a private practice in New York City for seventeen years.

Dr. Alban graduated from Touro College’s Graduate Program in Oriental Medicine, obtaining a Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and completed a Doctor of Acupuncture at Five Branches Univerisity. He completed a Chinese Medicine hospital residency in Hunan, China where he trained in acupuncture, Chinese medicine dermatology, and Tui Na medical massage.

He has received the Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Diploma from world-renowned expert Mazin Al-Khafaji. Dr. Alban sits on the board of the International Traditional Chinese Medicine Dermatology Association (ITCMDA). He is also the Traditional Chinese Medicine editor for Learn Skin and on the board for the Integrative Dermatology Symposium. He is the head editor and a contributing author of the ebook An Introduction to Chinese Medicine Dermatology which resulted from a collaboration of the ITCMDA and Learn Skin.

Dr. Kathy Farah is a Holistic and Integrative Family Physician in Western Wisconsin, with extensive experience in Mind Body Medicine. She is an Associate Clinical Director of the Center for Mind Body Medicine.

Keira Barr, MD is an innovator in transformative wellness, combining her work in integrative dermatology, mind-body medicine and embodied education with body-based trauma healing approaches to skin health. As a speaker,author, and host of “The Skinny Dipping Rx” podcast, Dr. Keira teaches people around the world how to relieve stress and rejuvenate from within. She created the Somatic Skincare™ method to support her mission of revolutionizing skincare as an act of radical self-care, blending science with soul to help women around the world amplify their resilience, confidence and comfort in their skin. Her expertise, bridging the gap between skin health and mental health, has earned recognition in top media outlets like MindBodyGreen, Glamour, SELF and Oprah magazines as well as prestigious medical journals. 

Ms. Lakshi Aldredge is a nurse practitioner who has practiced at the Portland VA Medical Center for the past 22 years, the last eight years in the medical Dermatology Service. She received her Bachelor’s of Science and Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon and is board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. She is the Past President of the national Dermatology Nurses’ Association and is the current Chair of the Nurse Practitioner Society of the DNA. She is a member of the medical Advisory Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and is a member of the NPF’s Community Outreach Taskforce. She is on the Advisory board of Dermatology World, is an Associate Editor of Psoriasis Forum, the peer-reviewed journal of the National Psoriasis Foundation, as well as a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. She received the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing in 2008 from the Portland VA Medical Center.

Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield is chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, as well as vice chair of the Department of Dermatology and a professor of dermatology and pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Dr. Eichenfield earned his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, was a pediatric resident and chief resident at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and completed dermatology training at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is board certified in pediatrics, dermatology and pediatric dermatology.

Dr. Mark L. Cannon is a Professor of Otolaryngology, Division of Dentistry at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, an Attending Physician at Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, and a member of the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to being the founder of Associated Dental Specialists of Long Grove (1981), he is the Research Coordinator of the Pediatric Dental residency program at Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cannon has 40 years of experience in pediatric dentistry and has presented lectures both nationally and internationally. Dr. Cannon has presented guest lectures at the University of Athens, Greece, Sao Paulista State University, UNESP, Aracatuba, Brazil, University of Texas- Houston, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Yonsei University, Beijing Medical University, CES (Medellin, Colombia) and at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He has had presentations to the following organizations; I.A.D.R./A.A.D.R., the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Society of Dentistry for Children, Academy of Dental Materials, World Congress of Biological Materials, International Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Dental Association of Asia, Australasian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, World Congress of Preventive Dentistry, Mexican Association of Pediatric Dentistry, and the European Association of Pediatric Dentistry. He lectures on many oral health topics including evolutionary oral medicine, the gateway microbiomes, biologic and bioactive dental materials (patents owner), probiotics, and all aspects of everyday Pediatric oral health. Dr. Cannon has humbly accepted two invitations by the Karolinska Institute, first to the Nobel Forum (2016) and secondly to the Nobel Assembly (2017). Most of all, Dr. Cannon is the proud father of five, all of whom are very accomplished. He is also a very proud grandfather!

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. Neal Bhatia is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California. He serves as Director of Clinical Dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research. He is as chief medical editor for Practical Dermatology.He has a background in immunology and has interests in mechanisms of therapy, skin cancer, and medical dermatology. Aside from teaching at medical conferences, he sits on several editorial boards and is an active teacher for dermatologists, industry, and patients.

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.

Pushpa Soundararajan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 30 years of experience. She is also an Ayurvedic practitioner, Certified Yoga teacher, speaker, and author. She is a passionate speaker and has presented at several local and international conferences, podcasts, webinars to dietitians, and FB live talks with dietitians in India on integrating Ayurveda with modern nutrition for holistic health. She believes in self-healing and educating the public on self-care which led to the creation of her Youtube channel, VPK Nutrition: Mind-body healing with Pushpa, RDN. She has co-authored two books “A Primer on A Ayurveda: A Practical Guide.” and “Ayurveda & Yoga: A Path to Health and Healing,” and a chapter on Ayurveda in an integrative nutrition textbook published on Amazon. She has an integrative virtual nutrition practice in Chicago, specializing in renal disease, digestive disorders, diabetes, weight management, ayurvedic nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness. www.vpknutrition.com

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.

Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L. is Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, and Member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with expertise in metabolism, obesity, and nutrition. He is one of the leaders of the current “anti-sugar” movement that is changing the food industry. Dr. Lustig graduated from MIT in 1976, and received his M.D. from Cornell University Medical College in 1980. He also received his Masters of Studies in Law (MSL) degree at University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2013. He is the author of the popular books Fat Chance (2012), The Hacking of the American Mind (2017), and the just released book Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine,. He is the Chief Science Officer of the non-profit Eat REAL. He is on the Advisory Board of the Center for Humane Technology, Simplex Health, Levels Health, and ReadOut Health. He is the Chief Medical Officer of BioLumen Technologies, Foogal, Perfact, and Kalin Health.

Sandra is an acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and the founder of Treatment by Lanshin. In practice for over a decade, she focuses on treating skin disorders and skin rejuvenation because she believes the future of skin health will greatly evolve with the unique approach of Chinese medicine. Specially trained in dermatology, she uses Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture to resolve common skin problems like acne, rosacea, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Through her many years of correcting pain and tension patterns of the body, Sandra has developed a deep understanding of structural and tissue relationships that she now applies to her work rejuvenating skin and face. Using acupuncture, facial gua sha, cupping, and other Chinese medically derived techniques, she has developed methods of correcting tissue tension patterns that she believes lead to common aging concerns like sagging skin, premature wrinkling, etc.

Providing education to clients is of key importance to Sandra’s work in helping them create lasting patterns of health and vitality. Teaching self-care and home practices have become an increasingly larger aspect of her work for this reason. Currently, Sandra teaches Facial Gua Sha Self-care workshops at home and across the country and plans to continue adding new classes to her roster.

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

Dr. Steven Gurgevich is a psychologist specializing in Mind-Body Medicine. He is Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, and (former) Director of The Mind-Body Clinic within Dr. Andrew Weil’s Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Gurgevich continues his forty nine years of private practices at Behavioral Medicine, Ltd, in Tucson, Arizona; and he still participates in teaching mind-body methods to physicians within the Dr. Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine.

He is a Fellow, Approved Consultant, and faculty of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Other memberships include: The Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, The International Society of Hypnosis, the American Psychological Association, the Arizona Psychological Association, and other professional societies.