conference faculty
Dr. Renita Ahluwalia
Dr. Ahluwalia is board-certified dermatologist with interests in cosmetic and medical dermatology. In 2019, she co-founded the Canadian Dermatology Centre, which now has a staff of over fifty professionals well versed in medical dermatology,cosmetic dermatology, plastic surgery, hair transplantation, aesthetic medicine and clinical trial research.
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Dr. Ahluwalia’s passion is to see her team and patients realize their full potential. She continues to practice in the academic center with an appointment at the University Health Network. She is also a lecturer at the University of Toronto.
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She completed her undergraduate studies in her hometown of Winnipeg, earning both a BA and BSc from the University of Manitoba in four years. She then studied medicine at the University of Toronto, where she went on to complete residency training in dermatology in 2013, serving as Chief Resident during her final year. She has presented at national and international meetings and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Canadian Dermatology Associations Young Investigator Honour and the AMNI Insider Doctor’s Choice Award. She is a member of several national steering committees and the Canadian Dermatology Associations Sun Awareness committee.
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With over a decade of experience as a dermatologist and as a former national public speaking champion, she uses her skill set to be a healthcare advocate and a source of knowledge to the public on a variety of dermatologic issues. Her recent features include Global News, Entertainment Tonight Canada, CBC News- Street Sense, CTV News Tonight, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Toronto Star, Hello! Canada, Elle Magazine, Chatelaine, The Kit, Refinery 29, Bustle and the Aesthetic Guide. Outside of work, Dr. Ahluwalia loves to spend time with her husband, Dr. Quinton Chivers, co-founder of the Canadian Plastic Surgery
Centre and her two young daughters, Gia and Taia.
Dr. Andrew Alexis
Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH is Professor of Clinical Dermatology and Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion 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.
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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.
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Dr. Alexis has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals including the British Journal of Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology among others. He has co-edited four 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.
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Dr. Alexis has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations; he is the Immediate Past President of the Skin of Color Society, Past President of the New York Dermatological Society, Past President of the New York Academy of Medicine Dermatology Section, and former Chair of the Diversity Task Force Committee of the American Academy of Dermatology. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Scarring Alopecia Foundation and was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the American Academy Dermatology.
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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. 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.
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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. Tiffany Chen
Tiffany Chen, MD, FRCPC, DABD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Canada and the United States. She received her Honours B.Arts Sc. and MD from McMaster University, and completed her dermatology residency at the University of Toronto. Dr. Chen is a lecturer at the University of Toronto and an associate dermatologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She has busy medical dermatology practices in Oakville and Burlington, Ontario.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Li is a double board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist, and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology & Skin Science at the University of British Columbia. She practices in Vancouver and Surrey, B.C. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, actively serves the Canadian Dermatology Association and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, has been a spokesperson for the Canadian Dermatology Association, and has been an invited speaker to various national and international conferences. She is a regular voice in local and national media regarding medical and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Danielle Marcoux
Dr. Danielle Marcoux, 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 2024, is in its 16th year.
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. Jason Rivers
Dr. Jason Rivers is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia and the Medical Director at Pacific Derm in Vancouver. Dr. Rivers is past President of the Canadian Dermatology Association, the past President of the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada, and the past President of the Canadian Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He is the previous Editor in Chief of the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery and has published more than 170 papers including book chapters. He has been the principal investigator for over 70 clinical trials and is the founder and chief scientific officer of Riversol Skin Care Solutions Inc. With over 35 years of clinical and academic experience, he has developed an expertise in medical dermatology, aesthetic medicine, and clinical research.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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His continuing healthcare innovations in patient care, education and research have contributed to Canada's leadership in wound management.
Dr. Geeta Yadav
​Dr. Yadav is founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto. She is a board-certified dermatologist who trained at University of Toronto, Johns Hopkins and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Dr. Yadav is an expert in both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She is also a principal investigator in a number of clinical trials. She has a special interest in skin of colour and skincare and has been quoted in numerous mainstream publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Allure, Vanity Fair, and Cosmopolitan. She has a regular presence on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.