SKIN DEEP

What does it really cost — personally and professionally — to build a practice without borders?In this solo episode of Skin Deep, Dr. Anna Chacon—board-certified dermatologist, valedictorian, and Brown University Program in Liberal Medical Education alumna—reflects on the extraordinary career that shaped her into one of medicine's most unconventional practitioners. Licensed in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and named Best Teledermatologist in the USA in 2024, Dr. Chacon is a Miami native of Hispanic and indigenous heritage who fought through significant barriers to reach the top of a specialty with only 3% Hispanic representation.   Dr. Chacon takes listeners across three continents and through some of medicine's most remote outposts: studying leprosy and HIV skin disease at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in the Philippines, learning from albinism specialists in Tanzania, and volunteering in West Africa where scarce resources blocked even the most basic treatments. She recounts becoming the first dermatologist to serve Utqiaġvik, Alaska's Iñupiat community through the Arctic Slope Native Association, the complexity of telehealth licensure in all 50 states, and a remarkable case of Kimura's disease successfully treated off-label with Dupilumab. Her mission, she says, is always evolving—from Miami Derm to America's dermatologist. Dr. Anna Chacon, MD FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, author, and Miami native who earned both her undergraduate degree in Economics and her medical degree from Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education, graduating valedictorian from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. She completed her residency at LAC+USC Medical Center and owns Gables Dermatology & Aesthetics in Coral Gables, Florida. A prolific author in peer-reviewed journals including JAAD and the British Journal of Dermatology, she was named Best Teledermatologist in the USA in 2024 and is a founding voice in Indigenous Dermatology.In This Episode: (00:00) Why she chose medicine and what drew her to dermatology over every other specialty (04:51) What it means to be a Latina woman in one of medicine's least diverse fields (10:06) What she learned treating leprosy, albinism, and parasites across three continents (14:58) Why she became the first dermatologist to serve Alaska's northernmost Indigenous community (20:30) How COVID accelerated her move to telehealth and a nationwide practice (22:30) What getting licensed in all 50 states actually costs in time, money, and effort (31:00) How a Kimura's disease patient advocated for his own off-label treatment — and improved (41:07) Why social media has become a lifeline for patients with rare skin conditions Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. Resources: Arctic Slope Native Association (ASNA) — Utqiavik, Alaska: https://arcticslope.org  Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) — Philippines: Chapters (00:00:00) - Skin Deep with Dr. Ana Chacon(00:00:42) - Dermatologist Ana Chacon on Becoming a Board Certified Der(00:07:12) - Latina dermatologists on the road to success(00:14:21) - Desire to serve Indigenous communities(00:19:41) - Televised dermatologists: Becoming America's dermatologist(00:30:00) - Representative cases of skin cancer in all 50 states(00:33:43) - How to manage a chronic health problem effectively(00:36:20) - Cultural environments affect doctors(00:38:21) - How to care for rosacea and other skin conditions effectively

What happens when a physician knows a patient still has a chance — but the hospital, the insurance company, and the nursing staff have all decided it's time to let go? Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and host of Skin Deep, welcomes a truly singular guest — her father, Dr. Arsenio Chacon. A retired critical care pediatrician with more than thirty years of practice in Miami, Dr. Arsenio trained at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and spent the bulk of his career leading the pediatric critical care unit at Baptist Hospital. What drove three decades in one of medicine's most demanding specialties? A conviction that took root in rural Cuba and never left: that a physician's most important quality, beyond clinical skill, is the courage to act on instinct when every force in the room is telling you to stand down. From a childhood of coffee trees and cane fields in rural Cuba to the political persecution that forced his family's escape, Dr. Arsenio traces the origins of a resilience that would define his entire career. What does it mean to fight for a patient's life when the insurance company, the hospital administration, and even the nursing staff have already moved on? He's direct about it. He also offers candid views on why physicians must educate themselves in business — or risk being exploited by those who did. "The patient is the one with the disease," he says. That one principle, he explains, protected his family life as much as it shaped his clinical practice. A rare and personal conversation.Dr. Arsenio Chacon is a retired physician who practiced critical care pediatrics in Miami, Florida for over thirty years. Born in rural Cuba and raised amid political upheaval, he immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his family, overcoming language barriers and cultural displacement to pursue medicine. He completed a pediatrics residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and a fellowship in critical care, ultimately leading the intensive care unit at Baptist Hospital in Miami. Known for his clinical perseverance, ethical integrity, and outspoken advocacy for physician business literacy, Dr. Chacon retired from practice and is the proud father of host Dr. Anna Chacon.  In This Episode: (00:00) Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes her most personal guest yet to Skin Deep (03:30) A father jailed for his politics, a mother who sold coffee on the black market, and the family's escape from Cuba (09:36) The one rule Dr. Arsenio never broke — and the advice he gives every doctor who wants a sane life (16:47) From Cook County's busiest wards to Miami's ICUs — how a critical care career was built (24:31) Why a physician must hold the line when the hospital, the insurance company, and the nurses have all moved on (33:40) What living with Opus Dei priests taught a future doctor about discipline, methodology, and never improvising (45:55) When administrators outearn the physicians — and why every doctor needs to understand business Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-cer... Chapters (00:00:00) - Skin Deep(00:07:02) - How to transition from dermatology to pediatrics(00:16:25) - Inspiring doctors: Dr. J. Janakiraman(00:24:27) - Don't Give Up(00:29:36) - Cuban doctors on the issues of nationality(00:39:00) - How to survive a melanoma in the United States(00:46:53) - Cuban doctors learn the business of medicine

Why did a successful solo aesthetics business owner close three locations in two years to join a med spa?Dr. Chacon welcomes award-winning Miami aesthetician Ornella Lopresti to Skin Deep. Ornella shares her unique journey from graduating Miami Senior High's cosmetology program with her full specialty license at 18 to becoming a competitive esthetician who approaches every treatment with championship-level precision. With over a decade in aesthetics—including three years in med spa settings and work with luxury brands like Clarins and La Prairie—Ornella discusses her evolution from solo entrepreneur to successful med spa professional. Her expertise centers on anti-aging treatments, sensitive skin care, and microneedling, with a refreshing emphasis on setting professional boundaries and maintaining quality standards. The conversation explores critical topics for both professionals and patients in the aesthetics world. Are there red flags clients should watch for when choosing an esthetician? What's the reality behind trending treatments like salmon DNA and Morpheus? Ornella candidly discusses the financial challenges of solo practice, why she transitioned to a med spa model, and the importance of medical oversight for procedures like microneedling. From social media strategies to firing difficult clients, this episode delivers honest insights into the business of beauty. Plus, discover why a tinted SPF 50 is her desert island product and learn the one facial treatment she believes transforms skin better than any other.Ornella Lopresti is an award-winning aesthetician based in Miami with over 10 years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry. A graduate of Miami Senior High's cosmetology program, she earned her full specialty license in facials, waxing, and nails before turning 18 and competed at regional and state levels. Her career spans luxury skincare companies including Clarins, La Prairie, and Sisley, culminating in founding Fountain of Youth Beauty before transitioning to med spa settings. Specializing in anti-aging treatments, sensitive skin care, and microneedling, Ornella combines championship-level precision with genuine client care. She also offers pop-up facial services in Orlando and provides complimentary skin consultations to help clients navigate their skincare journeys. In This Episode: (00:00) Award-winning aesthetician Ornella Lopresti and her Miami journey (02:35) Competitive cosmetology training and the importance of industry standards (05:59) Birth of Fountain of Youth Beauty and transitioning from corporate to solo practice (10:39) Wearing all the hats: the realities of entrepreneurship versus med spa employment (14:25) Trending treatments explained: salmon DNA, exosomes, and what's worth the investment (17:45) Red flags in aesthetics: why medical oversight and licensing matter (22:05) Professional boundaries and when to fire a client Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, spec... Chapters (00:00:00) - Esthetician on Entrepreneurship(00:01:32) - Miami Senior High Cosmetology Student(00:03:10) - How Fontaine of Youth Beauty started(00:06:27) - Florence Fountain of Youth Beauty(00:07:39) - How to manage a med spa business effectively(00:11:12) - What kind of certifications or training is required? How long is(00:16:06) - Red Flags in the Esthetics Industry(00:18:00) - Morphenes for the Face(00:20:29) - What would you say is your favorite facial treatment?

What if the future of therapy isn't about replacing therapists, but giving them an AI co-pilot they control? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Akram "AK" Azaiez, founder and CEO of Eggmed, an AI-powered EHR platform revolutionizing behavioral health technology. Originally from Tunisia, AK transitioned from financial services to Silicon Valley product management before launching Eggmed—a platform born from his personal experiences as both a therapy consumer and as the son of a parent with Alzheimer's. How does a small startup compete with established EHR giants? AK believes the answer lies in building trust through superior user experience, clinician-centered design, and authentic understanding of provider pain points in mental health practice management. The conversation explores Eggmed's unique features including front office AI automation, advanced revenue cycle management, and seamless interoperability. AK discusses the strategic spinoff of Retio, an omnichannel AI workflow builder for practices with existing EHRs. Topics range from HIPAA compliance challenges to the ethics of AI in therapy, policy barriers to healthcare access, and the importance of in-person connections in an increasingly automated world. What role will AI play in the future of therapy? AK shares his vision for AI as co-pilot, not replacement, for clinicians. Akram "AK" Azaiez is the founder and CEO of Eggmed, an AI-powered EHR platform designed specifically for behavioral health practices. Born and raised in Tunisia, AK moved to California at 21, completing his education before launching a career in financial services and tech product management in San Francisco. His personal journey with mental health—both as a therapy consumer and through his father's decade-long battle with Alzheimer's—inspired him to create Eggmed. Today, AK leads a diverse 13-16 member team across Eggmed and its spinoff company Retio, focusing on building technology that supports clinicians through kindness, innovation, and genuine understanding of healthcare workflows. In This Episode: (00:00) From Tunisia to Silicon Valley: AK's journey into healthcare tech (05:25) Networking at health conferences and the value of in-person connection (10:25) Building with heart: kindness as a core leadership principle (16:34) The AI co-pilot vision: supporting therapists without replacing them (23:37) Navigating HIPAA, GDPR, and the compliance challenge (28:49) Advice for clinician entrepreneurs and healthcare innovators Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services. Resources: Website: https://www.eggmed.com/ LinkedIn: Chapters (00:00:00) - How AI Will Replace Therapists in 2020(00:02:24) - Immortal: Egg Med is my baby(00:03:22) - EGMED and Egg Med: Company Spinoffs(00:04:57) - Egg Med: What You Did Before Working in Product(00:05:41) - The First Year of Health(00:07:06) - What Makes Our EHR So Different?(00:09:47) - How To Automate Sales & Inbound With AI Scribes(00:10:38) - Egg Med: What is it?(00:11:00) - How to Get More Out of a User Feedback(00:12:05) - How Did You Raise $8 Million For Your EHR?(00:13:33) - Developing an EHR for Behavioral Health(00:14:42) - When to expand in Europe?(00:16:41) - What other certifications are required to be HIPAA compliant?(00:20:51) - AI in Therapy(00:22:59) - Mental health crises: AI and the future(00:24:41) - Egg Med's Collaborations with Nonprofits(00:25:43) - What Values Guide Your Decision-Making?(00:26:51) - Egg Med: The Process of Building a Startup(00:27:40) - Egg Med: What's Next for the EHR?(00:29:04) - Edumed CEO on Healthcare Tech(00:31:39) - The Role of Convenience in Digital Health(00:32:52) - Egg Med: Data Security and Clinician Trust

Is locum tenens just a gap year option, or could it be the foundation for long-term financial freedom and lifestyle design? Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Genevieve Jacobs, a board-certified physician who launched her locum tenens career immediately after residency in 2020. Why did Dr. Jacobs choose temporary assignments over traditional employment? She shares how this path allowed her to work across the United States and internationally while maintaining complete autonomy over her schedule. Beyond clinical work, Dr. Jacobs has built a thriving consulting business, presenting to prestigious residency programs including Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Cleveland Clinic while creating digital courses filmed across five countries. The conversation explores the financial realities of locum work, from negotiating competitive rates to maximizing tax advantages through LLC structures. Dr. Jacobs reveals her strategies for avoiding red flags in assignments, streamlining the credentialing process, and maintaining secure document management systems. They discuss international opportunities, the challenges of licensing in different provinces and countries, and how locum tenens can serve as both a lifestyle choice and a legitimate small business model for physicians seeking flexibility without sacrificing income. Dr. Genevieve Jacobs is a board-certified physician who began her locum tenens career directly after residency in 2020. Passionate about travel and flexibility, she has worked in diverse U.S. locations including Alaska, Montana, and California, as well as pursuing international assignments. Dr. Jacobs has built a consulting business to guide physicians into locum tenens, offering digital resources, courses filmed across five countries, and presentations to residency programs at Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Cleveland Clinic. She shares expertise on workplace insights, licensing, credentialing, compensation negotiation, and the business side of locum tenens, empowering physicians to balance professional growth with personal fulfillment while maintaining financial independence. In This Episode: (00:00) Dr. Jacobs explains how she discovered locum tenens and why she chose this path immediately after residency (03:46) Building a consulting business and creating digital courses for physicians across multiple countries (07:03) Understanding locum agencies, finding reliable recruiters, and identifying red flags in assignments (15:50) Navigating licensing, credentialing, and the IMLC process for multi-state practice (21:16) Negotiating competitive rates and the financial realities of locum tenens compensation (26:04) Leveraging locum work as a small business with LLC benefits and tax advantages Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes! About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field. About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, pr... Chapters (00:00:00) - Skin Deep(00:00:35) - How to start a locum tenens work in your residency(00:06:16) - Reveal: The Search for a Physician(00:08:36) - The challenges of traveling on a solo mission(00:12:22) - Comp Health and the Locummart monopoly(00:13:42) - What Happens to the VMS?(00:18:06) - Canada vs International Jobs(00:25:31) - Do locum doctors need to start a business?