Rising Stars in Dermatology Symposium 2027

Dr. Neal Bhatia is a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California.  He serves as Director of Clinical Dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research and as chief medical editor for Practical Dermatology.  He is widely published and has a background in immunology as well as interests in mechanisms of therapy, skin cancer, and medical dermatology.  

Dr. Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska is a Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic–trained dermatologist who represents a unique blend of complex medical dermatology, laser medicine, dermatopathology, and a deep commitment to advancing longevity science. She serves as Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine.

A prolific author and internationally sought-after speaker, Dr. Natasha  is widely recognized for excellence in clinical care, education, mentorship, and research. She brings a vibrant integration of modern medical dermatology with functional and integrative approaches.She is the Director for Integrative Dermatology at the University of California Irvine Integrative Health Institute,  and  faculty of the Beckman Laser institute,  involved in studying non-invasive imaging modalities .  Dr. Natasha  leads a high-volume clinical research unit focused on hair health, inflammatory skin conditions, lasers, and skin aging science. She has held multiple national and international leadership roles, including serving as Chief Scientific Officer for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation and on the Board of Directors of the American Hair Research Society.

Dr. Mark Kaufmann is a nationally recognized dermatology leader, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery. A board-certified dermatologist, he also holds an academic appointment as Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as well as at the University of Miami.

Dr. Kaufmann brings over three decades of clinical and leadership experience, including 23 years in solo private practice prior to joining The Dermatology Group in 2017. Since transitioning into executive leadership, he has played a key role in advancing clinical quality, physician engagement, and strategic growth within large-scale dermatology organizations.

A past President of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Kaufmann has been deeply involved in shaping the specialty at a national level. His leadership includes service on the AAD Board of Directors, chairing multiple committees and councils, and long-standing advisory work as a Specialty Advisor to the AMA’s Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the Florida Academy of Dermatology.

Dr. Kaufmann earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicineand completed his dermatology residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is widely recognized for his contributions to dermatology, having received multiple Presidential Citations from the AAD across more than a decade.

An established thought leader in health information technology and dermatology practice innovation, Dr. Kaufmann is a frequent national speaker, presenting at the AAD Annual Meeting, major specialty societies, and academic grand rounds.

Dr. Michael Lewitt graduated Summa Cum Laude from a six-year program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine, obtaining both his bachelor’s degree and medical doctorate by the age of 24. He did his residency at St. Louis University, and he served as Chief Resident his final year in training. Dr. Lewitt specializes in complex psoriatic disease and other inflammatory dermatoses. He sits on the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Medical Board. He is a peer reviewer and is published in multiple journals and book chapters. Dr. Lewitt currently practices in Chicago, Illinois where he is a partner with the Illinois Dermatology Institute. He also leads and performs medical dermatology clinical trials with DeNova Research. Residents shadow him from across the Chicago area to obtain exposure to using biologic and small molecule drugs. He also co-directs a medical school course and is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine.

Dr Lisa Swanson is a board certified dermatologist and pediatric dermatologist.  After spending 10 years practicing in Colorado, she moved to Boise, Idaho in 2020 to become the first and only pediatric dermatologist in Idaho.

She is active in local and national medical societies and organizations.  She loves lecturing at conferences discussing pediatric dermatology with audiences across the country.  She works in private practice at Ada West Dermatology and is on staff at St Luke’s Children’s Hospital.