conference faculty
Dr. Mohannad Abu-Hilal
Dr. Mohannad Abu-Hilal is Associate Professor, and the head of the Dermatology Division at McMaster University. He is also the head of dermatology at Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, and the program director of the Advanced Clinical Dermatology fellowship program.
He graduated from the University of Jordan School of Medicine in 2006. Later he completed his dermatology residency training between Jordan and the U.K. and then completed a fellowship in pediatric dermatology at the Hospital for Sick Children and a fellowship in advanced medical dermatology at the University of Toronto. His clinical and research interests include severe atopic dermatitis, immunobullous diseases, cutaneous lymphomas and skin manifestations of systemic diseases particularly rheumatic diseases.
Dr. Renita Ahluwalia
Dr. Renita Ahluwalia is the founder of the Canadian Dermatology Centre, a full service dermatology, plastic surgery and medical spa. She is passionate about cosmetic and medical dermatology with interests in inflammatory disease, women's health, and skin of colour. She enjoys educating the media on a variety of skin issues and has been recently featured on television with Entertainment Tonight and CP24 and in the Press with The Kit and Chatelaine. She is honoured to be back at the Skin Spectrum Summit.
Dr. Andrew Alexis
Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH is the Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion for the Department of Dermatology and dermatologist at the Center for Diverse Skin Complexions at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. He is the former Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West. Having served as Director of the first-of-its-kind Skin of Color Center for over 15 years, his work has helped to advance patient care, research, and education pertaining to dermatologic disorders that are prevalent in populations with skin of color. Dr. Alexis received his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and his Master of Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
He completed his dermatology residency at Weill Cornell Medicine, followed by a fellowship in dermatopharmacology at NYU Langone's Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Alexis has published more than 90 articles in peer-reviewed journals including the British Journal of Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, JAMA Dermatology among others. He has co-edited two textbooks and authored over 10 book chapters. Dr. Alexis is a frequent lecturer at national and international conferences and has been invited as a Visiting Professor or Grand Rounds speaker at many prestigious academic institutions.
Dr. Alexis has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations including Past President of the New York Dermatological Society, Past President of the New York Academy of Medicine Dermatology Section, Secretary/Treasurer of the Skin of Color Society and Chair of the Diversity Task Force Committee for the American Academy of Dermatology. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Skin of Color Society and is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Dermatological Association and the Cicatricial Alopeica Research Foundation.
Dr. Alexis has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX television news programs and has been quoted in numerous leading publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Vogue, Allure, and Essence. He is listed in Castle Connolly's Top Doctors and Super Doctors.
Dr. Raed Alhusayen
Dr. Raed Alhusayen, MBBS, MSc (ClinEpi), FRCPC, is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, an Associate Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute, and Co-Chair of the Canadian Dermatology Association's EDI committee. He specializes in medical dermatology, particularly hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and serves on the board of the Canadian HS Foundation, focusing on HS outcomes and comorbidities in his research.
Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis
Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis is a dermatologist and clinician researcher based in her hometown of Regina. She is the founder of Origins Dermatology Centre, a combined multidisciplinary model that services both the general population and provides outreach clinics (in-person and virtual care) for underserviced remote and rural Indigenous (First Nations and Metis) communities.
Rachel is of Plains Cree, Saulteaux, and English background. She has a Masters of Science in Health Sciences in clinical and translational research, and has special interest in common inflammatory dermatoses (atopic dermatitis, psoriasis), virtual care, underserviced areas, holistic impact of skin disease, medical education, and translational interpretation and implementation of research with the ultimate goal of tangible health outcomes. She currently has active educational and research projects ongoing in the areas of inflammatory skin disease, virtual care, and Indigenous and rural health in western Canada.
Dr. Renée A. Beach
Dr. Renée A. Beach is a dermatologist practicing medical and cosmetic dermatology in Toronto. She opened DermAtelier on Avenue in the Avenue-Lawrence area of the city just over three years ago. She enjoys treating a range of skin conditions and the therapeutic hcallenge that comes with treating the same condition effectively in different skin types. In addition to her dermatology practice, Dr. Beach collaborates in select research projects, teaches dermatology residents during various academic days, and highlights the expertise of the profession as the on-air dermatologist on the daytime talk show "The Social", as well as during other media appearances.
Dr. Anna Chacon
Dr. Anna Chacon is a renowned board-certified dermatologist from Miami. Inspired by her father, a critical care pioneer, she chose a career in medicine. Dr. Chacon is the only dermatologist serving the secluded Alaskan Bush region, often travelling by push plane for patient care. She also provides vital dermatology services to Indigenous tribes across Florida, Alaska, and California, and offers teledermatology services. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She also founded Indigenous Dermatology, a nonprofit focusing on dermatologic health in rural and tribal areas.
Dr. Joël Claveau
Dr. Joël Claveau is a dermatologist with specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and skin cancers. He is an Associate Professor with the Department of Medicine at Laval University where he completed his medical and internal medicine training. He did his residency in dermatology at McGill University and subsequently worked at the Melanoma Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and is a member of a number of medical societies including the American Academy of Dermatology and the International Dermoscopy Society. He has received awards including Honorary Member of La Société Française de Dermatologie and the Young Dermatologists' Volunteer Award from the Canadian Dermatology Association for his work on the prevention of skin cancers.
Since 1996, he has been the Director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic at Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, and worked in Public Health for the province of Québec especially on the new tanning bed legislation. He has participated in the publication of papers in peer-review journals including work on melanoma, skin cancers, and sunscreens.
Dr. Marissa Joseph
Dr. Marissa Joseph completed medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax and her postgraduate training at the University of Toronto. She is double board-certified in Pediatrics and Dermatology and is full-time academic faculty at the University of Toronto. She has received and has been nominated for teaching awards in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. She also completed an MSc in Community Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.
Dr. Joseph is the Medical Director of the Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Centre at Women's College Hospital in Toronto. She also works at SickKids hospital where she manages children with complex dermatologic disease as well as a pediatric laser treatment program.
Dr. Joseph enjoys her diverse practice in general adult, pediatric, and surgical dermatology. Her clinical and research interests include inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa; genodermatoses; and equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
Dr. Monica Li
Dr. Monica Li, FRCPC, FAAD is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist in Canada and the United States, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology & Skin Science at the University of British Columbia. She practices in Vancouver and Surrey, B.C.. Dr. Li is actively involved with the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Canadian Dermatology Association, and the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, has been a spokesperson for the Canadian Dermatology Association, and is author of numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications. She has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences. Dr. Li is a regular voice to local and national media on topics in both medical and cosmetic derm
Dr. Danielle Marcoux
Dr. Daniell eMarcoux, FRCPC, FAAD, is a clinical professor at University of Montreal and Sainte-Justine University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Dermatology division. She runs an academic practice. Her medical studies were completed at Université de Montreal, followed by an internship at Santa Monica Medical Center, California and residency at Stanford Medical Center. Her dermatology residency was completed in Montreal. Interests in pediatric dermatology include atopic dermatitits, psoraisis, vitiligo, infections, acne, genodermatoses, developmental embryonic anomalies, mucosal disorders, and skin care and appearance. She was Royal College of Physicians examiner in dermatology. A guest speaker nationallly and internationally in French, English, and Spanish, she has authored over 100 scientific publications in her fields of interest. She has been a director of the Quebec Dermatology Association, the Canadian Dermatology Association, and the Canadian Dermatology Foundation, and president of the Montreal Dermatology Society and the Canadian Dermatology Association. She is founder-president of the Camp Liberté Society, a summer camp for Canadian children with skin diseases, which, in 2023, is in its 15th year.
Eric McMullen
Eric McMullen is a final-year McMaster medical student and a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario. His clinical interests include Indigenous dermatology, teledermatology, and rural care.
Dr. Yvette Miller-Monthrope
Dr. Yvette Miller-Monthrope is a board certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She completed medical school, dermatology residency, anatomical pathology residency and a dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Toronto. After completing her first residency in dermatology, she practiced medical dermatology at Women's College Hospital while completing a Masters degree in Education. Dr. Miller-Monthrope has special interests in diverse skin types, inflammatory dermatoses, curriculum development, resident education, and clinical-pathological correlation. She currently splits her time between clinical dermatology and dermatopathology.
Dr. Shafiq Qaadri
Dr. Shafiq Qaadri is a family physician, CME lecturer, and writer. He has presented 1,000 radio and TV shows, 280 lectures, and 700 articles. In 2003, he was elected as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for four terms. Educated at Upper Canada College, he holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Literature degree, and a medical degree from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Jaggi Rao
Dr. Jaggi Rao is an award-winning dermatologist, author, innovator and researcher, licensed in both Canada and the United States. He is also a certified cosmetic and laser surgeon, having completed an accredited fellowship in southern California. Dr. Rao has a very busy and popular practice in the heart of Edmonton, where he serves as a Clinical Professor Medicine and the Dermatology Residency Program Director at the University of Alberta. He is also a resource for industry, delivering dozens of lectures every year at local, national and international meetings, while serving on speakers' bureaus, research committees and advisory boards.
Dr. Jonathan Shapero
Dr. Jonathan Shapero, FRCPC, is the medical director of Shapero Dermatology and has a special interest in skin of colour dermatology. He is the vice president of the Canadian Laser and Aesthetics Specialists Society (CLASS) and also is the moderator of the Laser Safety Course for CLASS.
Dr. R. Gary Sibbald
Professor Gary Sibbald has been a wound care leader for over 35 years in Canada and internationally. As a dermatologist and internist early in his career, he recognized the chronic wound patient care gap.
His clinical patient-centric care has successfully treated complex wounds reducing excessive pain, improving management of infection, the increased healing of chronic wounds or improved everyday living for patients with maintenance or non-healable wounds.
As an educator, Dr. Sibbald was co-founder of a key opinion leader course (International Interprofessional Wound Care Course-IIWCC) accredited by the University of Toronto. Since 1999, there have been 23 classes in Canada and 20 courses internationally.
Professor Sibbald has mentored and educated not only IIWCC graduates, but also fostered interprofessional leadership of nurses and allied health professionals. Professor Sibbald has been involved in many projects on an international level to improve the health qualities in various countries. One example is the Guyana Diabetes Foot Project, where Dr. Sibbald, along with an interprofessional team of nurses and chiropodists, travelled to Guyana, South America to assess and treat the high rate of diabetes in the country, along with reducing diabetes-related lower limb amputations.
He is the founder of WoundPedia, a not-for-profit educational initiative. He is also Project Lead on ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Ontario Skin & Wound that virtually reached 450+ healthcare professionals in the first cycle (2018-2023) including Northern and Indigenous centres to create interprofessional skin and wound teams provincially.
He is an accomplished author and co-editor-in-chief with over 270 peer-reviewed publications. He was also an investigator on numerous clinical trials leading to the launch of new products and innovations.
His continuing healthcare innovations in patient care, education and research have contributed to Canada's leadership in wound management.