Dr. Richard L. Averitte, Jr. is the founder and CEO of Affiliated Dermatology, which was established in July of 2002. He received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio University and his medical degree from the University of Toledo Medical Center. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Summa Health System and his Dermatology Residency at Case Western Reserve, University Hospitals of Cleveland. He also served as a Chief Resident.

He has the following academic appointments: Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences at University of Toledo, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Midwestern University and Clinical Assistant Professor, Integrated Cancer Genomics, and TGen.

Dr. Averitte is the founder of the Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation. He is a past board member of the American Liver Foundation, Southwest Division, and Susan G. Komen of Arizona. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Mohs Surgery.

Prior to his career in medicine, Dr. Averitte had an extensive career in Engineering/Construction and Project Management. His last position was as a Project Engineering Manager at Babcock & Wilcox.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage triplets, and is an avid outdoorsman. He and his family enjoy traveling to interesting places.

Dr. Christine Lin joined Affiliated Dermatology in December, 2005 after practicing in Westlake Village, California for four years. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Massachusets Institute of Technology and her medical degree from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Her internship in internal medicine was completed at the UCLA-San Fernando Valley Program in Sylmar, California. Dr. Lin completed her dermatology residency at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland. She served as the chief resident in Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland. Dr. Lin is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Professional memberships include the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Estrada is a full-time dermatopathologist. Dr. Estrada received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine where she graduated as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed an Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Residency and served as Chief Resident at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She completed a Dermatopathology Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Estrada is board certified in Dermatopathology, Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Department of Pathology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Clinical Education at Midwestern University. She also acts as a consultant pathologist for companies involved with pharmaceutical clinical trials as well as melanoma gene expression profiling. Her professional memberships include the American Medical Association, the American Society of Dermatopathology, the International Society of Dermatopathology, the College of American Pathologists and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

Originally from New York City, he grew up in Queens and attended Hunter Science High School in Manhattan. He graduated summa cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, where he completed a rigorous seven-year accelerated combined medical program. He was selected to be an academic medical scholar, during which he received a Master of Science in neuroscience and a scholarship for three years of medical school and graduate training. He was elected to the Sigma Sigma Phi and Psi Sigma Alpha medical honor societies.

He completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Connecticut Medical Center where he was elected intern of the year. He completed a three-year dermatology residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected chief resident. He continued at the University of Massachusetts to complete a pediatric dermatology fellowship, where he gained an interest in vascular anomalies, pediatric laser, and dermatologic surgery of pediatric patients. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, soft tissue filler augmentation, body sculpting, melanocyte keratinocyte transplant surgery for vitiligo and hypopigmentation, pigmentary abnormalities of the skin and enjoys treating patients from birth onwards. He is an expert in atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, and hidradenitis and has worked in specialty clinics among experts. He is the only board-certified pediatric and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist in the country.

Dr. Lal is often featured in the media and has been quoted in ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Romper, NBC news, and Marie Claire. He is currently a member of the DEI work group for the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery and has a passion for treating the medical and cosmetic needs of patients from all different backgrounds.

Dr. Dustin Mullens began his residency training at Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2016. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. Dr. Mullens received his doctorate degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus. Following graduation, Dr. Mullens completed his internship training at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, OH. His professional memberships include the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society. Dr. Mullens completed his dermatology residency with HonorHealth in July 2019 and served as chief resident during his final year.

Dr. Jason Barr joined Affiliated Dermatology in July, 2006. Dr. Barr received his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. His internal medicine internship was completed at Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, Pennsylvania. Dr. Barr completed his dermatology residency at Arizona Desert Dermatology Midwestern University in Kingman, Arizona. Dr. Barr is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. Professional memberships include the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Association and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Newman is a general dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Affiliated Dermatology. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Physiology from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Newman then studied pharmaceuticals at the University of Southern California prior to completing his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University California. He then trained at Mclaren-Oakland Hospital in Michigan where he completed his medical internship. Dr. Newman completed his medical and surgical dermatology residency training with Honor Health Hospitals and Affiliated Dermatology, where he served as the chief resident. When asked why he chose to be a Dermatologist, Dr. Newman replied, “Dermatology is the most fascinating of medical specialties to me. Also, I love that I can care for children, teenagers, and adults. I also enjoy dermatology because I am able to manage skin cancer, which is an especially common problem for the people of Arizona.

In addition to caring for his patients, he enjoys making music on guitar and piano, golfing, and hiking with his wife and dogs.

Dr. Manway received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, and earned his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduation, he completed a traditional internship at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Florida, and then spent a year as a dermatology research fellow at the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research in Aventura, Florida. In July 2016, Dr. Manway joined Affiliated Dermatology and subsequently completed a one-year clinical research fellowship. Following the fellowship, he completed his medical and surgical dermatology residency training with Honor Health Hospitals and Affiliated Dermatology in 2020. Dr. Manway is an active member of the American Medical Association and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

Dr. Reddy joined Affiliated Dermatology in August 2022. He received his Doctor of Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine. His internal medicine internship was completed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Reddy completed his dermatology residency at UT Houston Dermatology in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Lavian received his undergraduate degree in Integrative Biology from UC Berkley and earned his medical degree from Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. After graduation, he completed a research fellowship and Columbia University and his dermatology residency at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York.

Dr. Lavian chose to specialize in dermatology because of the ability to form relationships and care for patients throughout the spectrum of their lives: in childhood, in routine screening, and when problems arise.

In his spare time, Dr. Lavian teaches science lessons to hospitalized pediatric patients, plays basketball, enjoys salsa dancing, and spending time with his wife, Rebecca, who is a software engineer.

Dr. Zaki earned his Bachelors of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences with honors from the University of California, Irvine. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Yale School of Medicine, where he served an additional year as Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Dermatology, interfacing with patients/families, researchers, and clinicians to further our understanding of genetic skin diseases.

Dr. Zaki was selected to continue with residency training in Dermatology at Yale. He completed internship in Internal Medicine at Yale-affiliated St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT where he cared for hundreds of critically ill patients at the onset and height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by residency in Dermatology at Yale-New Haven Health/West Haven Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Dr. Zaki is profoundly grateful for the quality and breadth of the world-class medical education and residency training invested in him at Yale. He is indebted to the mentorship of countless master clinicians, passionate educators, and internationally acclaimed scholars who continue to exemplify and inspire clinical/academic excellence (as lifelong learners who use mastery of the medical literature to guide evidence-based practice) as well as personal/professional excellence (of strong moral and ethical character that treat others compassion/respect and exemplify professionalism whether in the office, out in the community, or in the comfort of our homes).

Dr. Zaki is passionate about treating patients as family members and is committed to offering every patient the highest standard of dermatology care that he believes should be:

1. Effective, safe, and well-tolerated (benefits > risks)
2. Evidence-based (supported by the medical/scientific literature)
3. Personalized and tailored to the patient, their lifestyle, and their circumstances
4. Explained at a level the patient can understand
5. Communicated with compassion, empathy, professionalism, and respect

Dr. Zaki is proud to serve the Surprise, AZ community and enjoys partnering with patients to raise awareness about the importance of skin cancer screenings. The vast majority of skin cancers (including even the most deadly skin cancers such as melanoma) are highly treatable when caught early—and the easiest way to catch skin cancers early is to see a dermatologist at least once a year. If you can’t see a dermatologist, you can still check your skin yourself—just visit SpotSkinCancer.org for more information and easy directions!

Dr. Mariah Owusu-Agyei, originally from Ghana, moved to the Bronx, New York, at the age of seven. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where she explored interests in finance and worked as a financial analyst in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Driven by a longstanding passion for medicine, Dr. Owusu-Agyei returned to Penn for her medical education. She then completed her dermatology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dr. Benjamin Williams completed his dermatology residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) in June 2024. He began his medical education at the Marshall Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, graduating with a perfect 4.00 GPA. His undergraduate studies at Marshall University were equally impressive, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Biochemistry.

In addition to his clinical and research pursuits, Dr. Williams is dedicated to education and mentorship, actively guiding medical students and residents. He has delivered academic lectures on various dermatological topics and played a key role in educational programs at URMC.

Dr. Williams is a dedicated dermatologist, researcher, educator, and entrepreneur, committed to excellence in dermatology and contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and community service.

Esther Isakova, PA-C, graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minored in Chemistry in 2011. She then went on to Alderson Broaddus University to finish her training to be a PA in 2014. After practicing in New York at the New York Allergy and Sinus Center, Esther decided to move to Arizona where she started at Affiliated Dermatology in 2019. Esther loves the opportunity to help her patients improve their allergies and educate them on the importance of immunotherapy.

Megan Maley is a Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and is licensed in the state of Arizona. She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Nursing Practice degrees from University of Arizona. Prior to joining Affiliated Dermatology®, her nursing experience was focused in trauma, endocrinology, cardiology, and neurology. Megan is focused on building positive relationships with her patients while providing high quality care and treatment plans. Outside of work, Megan enjoys cooking and enjoying the beautiful State of Arizona with her family.

Teresa Hunt is a Physician Assistant certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and the Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants. Teresa received her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Medical Technology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She then went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Teresa has previous experience in Dermatology and practiced in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for four years before deciding to relocate to Arizona. Teresa is skilled and licensed to diagnose and treat a variety of skin conditions in patients of all ages. She is proud to be a part of the Affiliated Dermatology family and helping patients with their skincare needs.

Dacia Neuffer, PA-C, received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kentucky in 1997 and completed Bayley Seton’s Physician’s Assistant program in 2003. From there, Dacia Neuffer finished her residency at St. Vincent’s Catholic Memorial Center in 2004. When asked about the reason that Neuffer wanted to work in dermatology, she recalled about her own experience with being diagnosed with skin cancer at an early age and undergoing MOHs surgery. She strives to give her patients the level of care and compassion that she experienced during this time in her own life. In her free time, Dacia Neuffer loves hiking, spending time with her two dogs, and traveling the world with her husband of nine years.

Jacqueline Vercauteren is a Physician Assistant at Affiliated Dermatology who was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology and went on to receive her Physician Assistant training from Midwestern University. Jacqueline has wanted to work in dermatology since she was a young girl because the specialty is incredibly well-rounded and allows for a myriad of ways to positively impact patients. She enjoys forming relationships with patients of all ages while helping them with their dermatologic needs.

In her free time, you can find Jacqueline spending time with friends and family, watching sports, and reading.

Stephanie Schafer is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, licensed in the state of Arizona. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from San Diego State University, CA. She advanced her education at the University of Arizona receiving her doctorate in nursing practice. Stephanie became a nurse practitioner because she loves forming relationships and learning all about the lives of her patients and the wisdom they provide, whether they are 5 or 95 years old. Dermatology has always been a passion of hers and being able to help patients at their most vulnerable state is what she finds most rewarding. She treats patients from a holistic standpoint and enjoys educating them on how to take the best care of their skin—further improving their overall health.

Stephanie loves living in Arizona where she and her husband raise their daughter and two French Bulldogs. In her free time, she enjoys anything and everything outdoors such as hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and road trips to California.

Lindsey Andrade is a board certified nurse practitioner at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and went on to receive her Master in Nursing from Touro University. She has experience is both surgical and emergency medicine and is happy to expand her experience in the dermatology field.

Kaylee Newsome is a board certified physician assistant at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in physiology and went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant degree from A.T. Still University. With experience in emergency medicine in pediatrics, Kaylee is excited to apply that knowledge to her dermatology clinic patients.

Abigail Mitroff is a board certified Physician Assistant at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and went on to receive her Masters of Physician Assistant degree from Butler University. With her five years’ experience in Family Medicine, Abigail is ready to move into her desired specialty of dermatology.

Savanna Howe is a board certified physician assistant with Affiliated Dermatology. She attended College of Charleston for her undergrad in Biology and completed her Master of Science at Lenoir Rhyne University. After a year of trauma surgery experience, she moved into dermatology. Savanna loves dermatology because of the relationships she gets to build with her patients and their families, along with the impact she can make on people’s lives. She’s originally from South Carolina, but loves Phoenix for the hiking trails!

Alexis Sotis is a Physician Assistant, board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona in Nutritional Sciences and earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies through A.T. Still University. After spending three years in family medicine, Alexis chose to specialize in dermatology after recognizing the impact that the quality of skin can have on a person’s overall health. She enjoys educating patients on the importance of skincare and identifying courses of treatment. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and traveling.

Kelsey Madden is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing degree from University of Cincinnati.

She started out her career and spent much of her time as a certified Cardiac ICU and Cardiac Catheterization Nurse with experience in cardiology and family practice. After completing a rotation at Affiliated Dermatology, she found that dermatology was incredibly fascinating. What Kelsey loves most about treating patients is following up with them later and seeing a huge progression in their health. She understands that patients visit their dermatologist when they are most vulnerable and she feels fulfilled when she is able to educate and treat her patients. She loves creating strong relationships with her patients, so they know they can trust her and come back to see her anytime.

Kelsey has a true passion for helping others and being an advocate for all patients as if they are her own family members. During undergraduate and graduate school, she was very involved in the community and giving back. She participated in many free healthcare clinics and even went to Belize for a medical mission trip to help treat the underserved population. She also served on the board for the Student Nurse’s Association and attended many of the Nursing Conventions over the years.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, husband, and Golden Retriever puppy named Marley as well as hiking and exploring the beautiful state of Arizona.

Christa Williams is a compassionate and highly skilled Family Nurse Practitioner based in Phoenix, AZ, with over 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing with distinction from United States University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Christa has developed a robust clinical background through her work in emergency rooms, cardiovascular intensive care units, and perioperative services. Her current role at Affiliated Dermatology involves diagnosing and treating a wide range of dermatological conditions, providing patient-centered care, and performing minor procedures. Christa’s dedication to patient care is complemented by her strong critical thinking skills, cultural sensitivity, and commitment to staying current with advances in healthcare.

Melanie Murray, PA-C, is a dedicated Dermatology Physician Assistant committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to her patients. With a background in kinesiology from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Melanie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of dermatology.

Melanie’s professional journey is marked by a steadfast focus on preventative care and the treatment of various dermatologic conditions. She is experienced in addressing a wide range of skin concerns, from common issues to more complex dermatologic diseases. Melanie’s dedication to ongoing education and staying abreast of the latest advancements in dermatology ensures that her patients receive the highest standard of care.

After completing her formal education, Melanie further honed her skills through a rigorous one-year fellowship program at Affiliated Dermatology. This intensive training provided her with specialized expertise and hands-on experience in advanced dermatologic techniques and procedures.

Melanie believes in building strong relationships with her patients based on trust, respect, and open communication. She takes the time to listen to their concerns, thoroughly explain treatment options, and develop personalized care plans tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Sydney Wentz is a compassionate and dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner who completed her undergrad at Grand Canyon University and Masters at University of Arizona. Inspired by her grandmother, who is also a nurse, Sydney embarked on her journey in healthcare with a deep commitment to patient well-being. Her passion for science and genuine care for individuals during their most vulnerable moments led her to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.

Sydney finds fulfillment in educating her patients, empowering them with knowledge about their conditions and treatment options. During her clinical rotations at Affiliated Dermatology, she developed a particular interest in dermatology, recognizing the profound impact skin health has on a person’s confidence and quality of life. She is committed to guiding her patients on their journey to skin health and wellness.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Sydney enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband and their two dogs. Born and raised in Arizona, she values spending time in nature and seeking new adventures.

Sydney is dedicated to providing personalized care to her patients and looks forward to making a positive difference in their lives.

Nayla Mansoor is a board-certified physician assistant at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Human Nutrition and went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant degree from Northern Arizona University. Nayla is eager to apply her knowledge and skills to supporting patients at the center of all bodily functions, the skin, which is an outward representation of what is occurring internally.

Victoria Viola is a board-certified physician assistant at Affiliated Dermatology. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in biology and went on to receive her Masters in Physician Assistant degree from University of Saint Francis. With her experience as a medical assistant in dermatology, as well as a medical scribe, she is well prepared to apply her love of dermatology and clinical knowledge to treating skin conditions and procedures. Victoria is passionate about supporting patients in their skincare needs as this is a huge part of personal identity and affects each of us both physically and psychologically.

As an Arizona native, Morgan was born and raised in Tucson. She moved to Phoenix in 2018 to be more involved in the aesthetics industry. After being an LPN for over 10 years, working with Alzheimer’s patients. In 2013, she became a registered nurse and soon after began her training to become a cosmetic injector. Morgan has been helping her patients achieve naturally beautiful results with cosmetic injectables for the last 8 years! This is her passion and she prides herself on having a gentle touch and strives to give the best experience to her patients.

Sarah attended Northern Arizona University for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After working in plastic surgery, assisting in surgical procedures, Sarah is eager to use her knowledge of anatomy and efficacy of treatments for injectables at Affiliated Dermatology. She strongly believes in patient care and education, as well as providing support for patients to achieve their goals.

Linda is an Arizona native and a graduate of the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics. Following a career as a medical assistant, Linda found her calling as an Aesthetician and Certified Laser & Coolsculpting Technician, where she incorporates her love of health, beauty, and helping others feel and look their best! Linda is focused on providing individualized services, helping her clients reach their unique skincare and beauty goals. Linda offers aesthetics services, laser hair removal, and Coolsculpting treatments at our west valley locations in Deer Valley and Surprise.

Carolyn has always had a passion for skin and all things beauty related. After attending NAU for a year, Carolyn realized she had a passion for helping people look and feel their best. She attended Penrose Academy where she obtained her Aesthetics license. After three years of being an aesthetician, she returned to Penrose Academy to obtain her Laser certification. As Carolyn progresses in the industry, she is constantly looking for ways to improve her skillset. She recently attended Bodify Academy, where she obtained her CoolSculpting certification. She is thrilled to do her part to help people gain their confidence and provide the knowledge they need to continue living a healthy and beautiful life!

Kristina is a dedicated employee who takes her client care to heart. She has always been passionate about the beauty industry. After working at an aesthetics school and a salon for many years, her passion grew stronger. She decided to go to school herself in 2016 to obtain her Aesthetics license. After that, she expanded her knowledge further by earning her Laser Certification from the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics. She is deeply passionate about skincare and feels it is very important for people to feel great about themselves on the inside and out. She would love to meet you and help you feel even more confident in your own skin!