62nd Annual GSDDS Meeting
June 2-4, 2017
The Cloister at Sea Island

Guest Speakers

George F. Cohen, M.D.
Founding Dermatology Residency Program Director/Associate Professor
Florida State University College of Medicine
Tallahassee, FL 32308




David J. Goldberg, MD, JD
Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY and NJ

Dr. Goldberg is recognized nationally and internationally for his innovative work with skin lasers, cosmetic dermatology and non-invasive facial and body rejuvenation techniques. A board-certified dermatologist who has been in practice since 1985, he has treated patients and taught doctors throughout the world in the use of these cutting-edge technologies. Under his direction, Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey has been a pioneer in making skin laser and cosmetic dermatology technologies available to the public.

Dr. Goldberg earned his medical degree from Yale University. He completed his dermatology residency and dermatologic surgical fellowship at New York University Medical Center. He is a clinical professor and former director of Mohs Surgery and Laser Research in the department of Dermatology at NY’s Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Dr. Goldberg has published over 160 academic papers and has contributed to over 15 academic textbooks. He has authored textbooks on laser dermatology, laser hair removal, laser facial rejuvenation, photodamaged skin, skin wrinkle fillers, acne, rosacea, unwanted fat and cellulite. He has also co-authored two books for the general public: Light Years Younger and Secrets of Great Skin.

Dr. Goldberg is active in professional societies and was elected president of the American Society for Lasers in Medicine & Surgery. He has also served as chairperson of the Ethics Committees of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He has sat on the board of directors of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He has also served as a co-vice-president of the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Goldberg was the first recipient of the prestigious Leon Goldman award, named after the founder of laser surgery. Additionally, Dr. Goldberg was named one of the “Top Ten Laser Surgeons in the U.S.” by Self magazine, one of the “Best Doctors in America” by Woodward/White, Inc., a “Best Doctor in America” by Best Doctors Inc. and one of the “Best Dermatologists in New Jersey” by New Jersey Monthly.

Dr. Goldberg has always been eager to advance the skill levels of his colleagues. He has an active fellowship Program at his practice that draws the “best of the best” dermatologists and Physician Assistants, many of whom join Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and NY and NJ after their fellowship is complete.

Lastly, his legal background and expertise in Health Care Law (he has taught Health Care Law at NY’s Fordham Law School for over 15 years) puts Dr. Goldberg at the forefront in understanding the economic, legal and ethical issues of today’s health care and dermatology delivery systems.


Adelaide A. Hebert, MD
University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX

Adelaide Hebert, M.D., has been the Chief of Pediatric Dermatology at McGovern School of Medicine and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital for the past 30 years. She has been actively engaged in dermatology clinical research during that time with a strong focus on atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and hyperhidrosis.

Dr. Hebert has specialty clinics in Pediatric Dermatology, Hyperhidrosis, and Vascular Anomalies.

Dr. Hebert earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her dermatology residency at University of Texas Medical Branch and fellowship at Northwestern University Medical School.

In March of 2016, Dr. Hebert will serve as President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. She is a past President of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.


George J. Hruza, MD
St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri

Dr. Hruza is an Adjunct Professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University and Director of the Laser & Dermatologic Surgery by appointment only Our Dedicated Staff Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He received his medical degree from New York University at the top of his class and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Societies. He completed his dermatology residency at New York University Medical Center followed by a laser surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School and a Mohs and dermatologic surgery fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Dr. Fred Mohs, developer of the Mohs surgery technique for precise skin cancer removal. Dr. Hruza is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, American Board of Mohs Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, and American Board of Laser Surgery. Before his current position, he was an Associate Professor of Dermatology, Otolaryngology and Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He has been on the Best Doctors list for more than fifteen years. Dr. Hruza serves as Assistant Editor of Dermatologic Surgery for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, on the editorial boards of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine and Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, president-elect of the American Academy of Dermatology and on the Board of Directors of the United Skin Specialists, and on the Council of the Missouri State Medical Association. He is Past President of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the St. Louis Metropolitan Medical Society, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He has contributed more than 140 publications to the medical literature, including three textbooks on laser surgery, and has lectured on four continents about laser surgery, Mohs micrographic surgery, skin cancer, and skin surgery.


J. Matthew Knight, MD
Knight Dermatology Institute, Orlando Florida

J. Matthew Knight, M.D., the founder of Knight Dermatology Institute in Orlando, Florida, is a board certified dermatologist specializing in surgical and cosmetic dermatology. He speaks regularly on healthcare policy and the challenges of independent physician practice. Dr. Knight is the chief of dermatology at Orlando Health, president of the Central Florida Society of Dermatology, and a board member of the Florida Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery.


Loretta Davis, MD
Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA

Dr. Davis was appointed Chief of the Division of Dermatology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University in 2011. She is a graduate of Miami University and The Ohio State College of Medicine where she completed residencies in both Internal Medicine and Dermatology. While at Ohio State she was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honorary, appointed Chief Resident in Dermatology and subsequently served on faculty in the Division of Dermatology.

Dr. Davis joined the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia in 1992. She currently serves as Dermatology Residency Program Director, Medical Director of the Dermatology Practice Site, and advisor for medical students interested in careers in dermatology. She has received Exemplary Teaching Awards for Medical Student Education as well as the Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Clinical Science Teaching in 2009 and the Outstanding Teaching Award from the Physician Assistant Department in 2013. Recognized as a Regional Top Doctor and a Best Doctor in America, she is a widely sought after speaker and consultant.

Dr. Davis has strong clinical interests in cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease, autoimmune skin diseases, and complicated medical dermatology. She has authored over 75 original articles and book chapters. Dr. Davis is a member of the Augusta Dermatology Society, Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Academy of Dermatology.


Jamie Weisman, MD
Medical Dermatology Specialists, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Jamie D. Weisman, MD grew up in Atlanta, graduated with honors from Riverwood High School and went on to attend Brown University. At Brown, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English literature and graduated magna cum laude with honors. She received a fellowship to study in Cairo, Egypt at the American University in Cairo, and then came home to attend Emory University Medical School. Dr. Weisman stayed at Emory to complete her internship and residency in dermatology. A writer as well as a physician, she is the author of the memoir, As I Live and Breathe: Notes of a Patient-Doctor. She has also published articles or been profiled in Life, Glamour, O magazine, National Public Radio and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Weisman has participated in numerous clinical trials and has lectured on the treatment of psoriasis. Her areas of interest include not only the treatment of psoriasis but also auto-immune skin diseases, as well as general medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, including Botox®, fillers and laser therapy.


Jonathan Kantor, MD
Florida Center for Dermatology, PA, St. Augustine, FL

Jonathan Kantor, MD, MSCE, MA is an international authority on dermatology and skin surgery, who speaks frequently around the world on surgical techniques, skin cancer, atypical moles, wound healing, and other topics. He has authored more than 75 research articles, book chapters, and abstracts, and is active on the national level and in his local community.

Dr. Kantor serves as Medical Director, Florida Center for Dermatology, PA as well as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the nation’s oldest and top-ranked academic dermatology department. Dr. Kantor’s work has been published in every major dermatology journal, and his research has been quoted in the lay press on television, in newspapers, and in magazines such as Prevention, Reader’s Digest, Self, and Fitness.

One of the benchmark surgical techniques developed by Dr. Kantor, the set-back dermal suture, was the subject of a randomized controlled trial performed at the University of California, as well as a major journal editorial, where it was shown to be superior to the former gold standard technique—potentially changing the standard approach to surgical wound repair.

Dr. Kantor serves as a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee, where he chairs a workgroup. He has also been awarded the Member Making a Difference Award by the American Academy of Dermatology, the Academy’s highest award offered for volunteerism.

Dr. Kantor received his B.A. in Intellectual History from the University of Pennsylvania magna cum laude and was elected Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate. He then pursued broader interests and was awarded a Master's degree in history and entered the Ph.D. program in history at Penn, which he left to begin his formal medical training. During his medical studies, Dr. Kantor earned a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded fellowship in clinical epidemiology and was awarded both an M.D. as well as a Masters of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. He was also elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society. He then completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania followed by his dermatology residency, also at Penn, where he was appointed Chief Resident.


David T. Harvey, MD
Dermatology Institute For Skin Cancer + Cosmetic Surgery, Newnan, GA
Dr. David Harvey completed medical school training at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Afterwards, he completed a primary care internal medicine residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry followed by a dermatology residency at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He is board certified in both Dermatology and Internal Medicine. In 2010, he completed an ACGME accredited fellowship in Procedural Dermatology (Mohs Surgery) at the University of Texas-Southwestern in Dallas. He has dermatology and surgical privileges at Piedmont Newnan & Fayette Hospitals where he is an active staff member. He is also on staff at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (Atlanta Campus).

Dr. Harvey is the current Treasurer for the Georgia Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery. He has previously held posts as President for both the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons and the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He is an active member of the Noah Worcester Society, American College of Mohs Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Society for Mohs Surgery, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. He currently serves as a nationwide peer reviewer for the American Society of Mohs Surgery. Academically, Dr. Harvey has taught cosmetic and reconstructive procedures to dermatology residents at Emory and the University of Texas- Southwestern.

Dr. Harvey has 20 years experience in cosmetic and dermatologic surgery. His expertise lies in the field of cutaneous oncology, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, laser surgery, and eyelid surgery. He lectures nationally on topics involving reconstructive skin surgery and cosmetic dermatology. He has authored over 20 peer reviewed publications in the field of skin cancer, cosmetic dermatology, aging skin, and eyelid surgery.


Bella Kantor
Florida Center for Dermatology, PA, St. Augustine, FL

Bella Kantor joined Florida Center for Dermatology, PA as the practice manager in 2012. Bella brings to the practice 28 years of management experience and innovative thinking as the owner of a publicity company, creator of two reality television shows, publicist for several public figures, and COO of a national distillery. She has been featured in Outside magazine and has been cited by the AP, and has been seen on national television networks as well. Bella formulates solutions and manages groups using creative techniques of influence and inspiration. Bella brings an eclectic management style formulated through a combination of US and international-based life and professional experience. Bella is also an experienced negotiator, having worked with television production companies such as Matador and 44 Blue that produce content for HBO, Netflix, National Geographic, and Animal Planet.


Rep. W. Mark Newton, MD
Georgia House of Representatives, District 123

With a background as a US Army veteran, Emergency Medicine physician/ER Medical Director, and as a small businessman, I am honored by the trust expressed in the election results on May24th for Georgia State House of Representatives District 123.

Dr. Newton earned his medical degree from Medical College of Georgia and Masters in Health/Healthcare Administration/Management from Harvard University. He serves as Medical Director/ Chairman for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Doctors Hospital in Augusta GA and President/CEO for MedNow Urgent Care Centers in Evans and Augusta, GA. He was sworn in to the Georgia House of Representatives in January 2017.


Don Bolia
Peachtree Government Relations, Atlanta, GA

Don Bolia provides industry leaders with strategic advice on how legislative trends will impact their businesses and assists them in shaping policy debates at the state, federal, and local levels in Georgia.

He manages clients’ relationships before the Georgia General Assembly, as well as numerous city and county governments and agencies. His background and experience especially give clients an edge on conducting business with local governments. Because of his key relationships at the municipal level, his clients are able to clearly communicate their message to the pertinent decision makers.

Mr. Bolia began his political career working for then Congressman Newt Gingrich in Washington, D.C. In 1991, he was appointed the Political Director of the Georgia Republican Party. In that capacity, he was directly responsible for managing the GOP’s statewide effort to elect Republicans to the Georgia General Assembly.

In 1994, Mr. Bolia was appointed executive director of the Georgia Republican Party, during an election cycle that saw Republicans win six state-level offices for the first time since Reconstruction, including insurance commissioner, superintendent of schools, and a majority of the seats on the Public Service Commission.

Mr. Bolia is a principal with Peachtree Government Relations, a government affairs and public relations firm, and has over 25 years of experience in the political arena. Working in a bipartisan manner, he advocates for the passage of legislation on behalf of his clients and has developed a unique niche that focused on lobbying county and city governments.


James Sligh, MD, PhD
Division Chief of Dermatology
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
Associate Director, Skin Cancer Institute
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ