What if the future of dermatology depends on doctors taking control of technology—before tech entrepreneurs do it for us?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Bilal Fawaz, board-certified dermatologist and associate program director at Boston University's Department of Dermatology, who is revolutionizing healthcare technology as the founder of DermHub—a mobile teledermatology app created and run entirely by dermatologists. With extensive experience managing over 7,000 econsult patients at BU since 2019, Dr. Fawaz brings a physician-first perspective to digital healthcare innovation. His core belief? "Physicians should be the ones leading the health tech field, not tech entrepreneurs."

This episode explores the critical intersection of dermatology and entrepreneurship, examining why doctors must take control of health technology before profit-driven companies compromise patient care. What are the hidden costs of building a medical app? How do you navigate HIPAA compliance, state licensing, and insurance reimbursement? Dr. Fawaz shares his journey through app development, from initial sketches to launch, while discussing the future of store-and-forward teledermatology, the limitations of mid-level providers in digital healthcare, and why judgment-based care deserves better compensation.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Dr. Bilal Fawaz introduces DermHub and the mission to put dermatologists in charge of teledermatology
• (05:01) Breaking down the costs: initial investment versus recurring expenses for healthcare apps
• (11:00) Why physicians should lead health tech instead of being discarded as advisors
• (15:18) Store-and-forward technology: the scalable future of dermatology access to care
• (19:11) The harsh reality of telehealth compensation and physician liability in digital medicine
• (23:51) Managing 50 state licenses and the hidden bureaucratic costs of nationwide practice
• (30:02) Final thoughts: why dermatologists must collaborate and support each other in health tech
• 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:

• (00:00:00) - Dermhub: The Future of Tech in Health Care
• (00:00:28) - Dr. Bilal Fawaz on DermHub
• (00:02:17) - How to Build a telehealth app in the US
• (00:05:26) - How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App?
• (00:06:48) - Dr. Rodolani on her venture and Durham's support
• (00:08:21) - The Toothpick App for Dentists
• (00:15:59) - How to get your Derm Hub, your own LLC registered in
• (00:19:13) - The Complicated Issues of Telehealth
• (00:26:35) - How to prescribe via the Internet
• (00:30:19) - Dr. Chacon on Health Tech

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Carolyn Francavilla, a family physician and obesity medicine specialist who founded Green Mountain Partners for Health nearly a decade ago. What drove her to launch a practice just seven months pregnant, a year out of residency? Dr. Francavilla serves on the board of the Obesity Medicine Association and chairs the AMA's Private Practice Physician section, bringing unique insight into building sustainable, patient-centered care models. Her all-female practice has thrived by maintaining an unwavering mission: never sacrifice time with patients for profit margins.

The conversation explores the explosive growth of GLP-1 medications, the future of obesity treatment beyond semaglutide and tirzepatide, and when bariatric surgery remains the gold standard. How can private practices stay lean yet profitable while accepting insurance? Dr. Francavilla reveals her strategies for hybrid membership models, virtual assistant integration, and the unconventional hiring approaches that built her team. From navigating compounding pharmacy controversies to mentoring pre-med students, this episode delivers actionable wisdom for healthcare professionals seeking clinical autonomy.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From family medicine to obesity medicine: Dr. Francavilla's unconventional career path
• (01:46) Starting a practice seven months pregnant and one year out of residency
• (03:44) The GLP-1 revolution: how semaglutide and tirzepatide transformed obesity treatment
• (06:55) When bariatric surgery is still the most powerful tool for weight loss
• (08:42) Navigating private practice challenges while maintaining your mission
• 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:

Green Mountain Partners for Health (practice website): https://www.greenmountainpartnersforhealth.com/

Colorado Weight Care (weight loss program): https://www.coloradoweightcare.com/

Help...

• (00:00:00) - Private Practice Owners' Guide
• (00:00:19) - Anatomy 101: Obesity Medicine Specialist Guest
• (00:01:55) - Primary care physician's focus on obesity and diabetes
• (00:03:54) - GLP1s and bariatric surgery
• (00:08:33) - Private Practice in Colorado
• (00:13:53) - How big is your practice? Virtual Assistants, in-person
• (00:14:56) - Private Practice Physician on Hiring

What if the practice of medicine is actually holding you back from building the healthcare company you envision?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Laura Purdy, MD MBA, a family medicine physician turned healthcare entrepreneur and CEO who has become one of the most visible voices in telemedicine. From her roots in rural southern Kentucky to building a fast-growth digital health startup while raising five children, Dr. Purdy shares her unconventional journey from Army hospitalist to business leader. Why did she choose telemedicine over traditional practice? What drives someone to publicly challenge state medical boards and call out archaic regulatory systems? Dr. Purdy reveals how she transformed frustration with broken healthcare systems into a thriving nationwide virtual business—and why she believes the practice of medicine is holding her back from her true calling as a founder and CEO.

This episode explores the realities of physician entrepreneurship, the complexities of managing 30+ state medical licenses, and the strategic decision-making required to build a scalable healthcare business. Dr. Purdy discusses the importance of delegation and letting go—from in-person practice to luxury status symbols—while maintaining clarity about her ultimate vision. She offers candid insights on dating as a physician (she's engaged to a pediatric neurosurgeon), the value of an MBA for doctors interested in healthcare business, and why she plans to retire from clinical practice within five years. What's the difference between being educated in business versus actually running one? How do you protect yourself in a regulatory environment that "does not care about you"? Dr. Purdy holds nothing back in this powerful conversation about autonomy, impact, and designing life on your own terms.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From rural Kentucky to telemedicine CEO: Dr. Purdy's unconventional journey
• (08:17) Balancing relationships, family, and entrepreneurship without guilt
• (14:08) Anti-role models and building toward your future vision
• (22:16) The truth about multi-state licensing and regulatory risk
• (26:30) Retiring from clinical practice to build legacy and impact
• 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.

• (00:00:00) - Dr. Laura Purdy on Becoming More Public in Telehealth
• (00:06:52) - How to Prioritize Your Life
• (00:07:32) - How to Marry a Fellow Physician
• (00:13:35) - Role models in the workplace
• (00:17:56) - The Secret Life of Luxury Cars
• (00:21:34) - How to Get Out of Trouble With Your Medical Board
• (00:25:55) - When will a dermatologist retire?
• (00:26:31) - Why You Should Retire From Practice of Medicine