COVID-19 Update: We Are Open. The Dermatology of Institute of Boston, values the health and safety of our patients. Read More about how we are addressing the current situation.

About Us

We are highly trained, renowned physicians and staff. All of our physicians are board-certified and known internationally for their expertise. We are often recognized as one of the best places in Boston to see a dermatologist.

Our team is credentialed as dermatology technicians and is meticulously trained to best care for our patients.

Emmy Graber, MD, MBA

Founder and President of The Dermatology Institute of Boston
Emmy M. Graber, MD, MBA

Emmy M. Graber, MD, MBA is the Founder of The Dermatology Institute of Boston, a private practice in Boston, Massachusetts. With over ten years experience, Dr. Graber, a board-certified dermatologist, treats a wide range of dermatologic issues and specializes in acne and cosmetic dermatology. She is currently an Affiliate Clinical Instructor at Northeastern University and has extensive experience teaching students of all types.
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More about Dr. Graber: GraberMD.com

 

Freya Meyer, MD

Dermatologist

Freya Meyer, MD

Freya Meyer, MD is a board-certified dermatologist with interests in all facets of the field, including general, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatology. Under the tutelage of internationally renowned dermatologists and scientists, Dr. Meyer received a premier medical education.
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Ali Al-Haseni, MD

Dermatologist

Ali Al-Haseni, MD

Ali Al-Haseni, MD is a board-certified dermatologist with additional specialty training in cutaneous oncology (i.e. skin cancer). He has expertise in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment and is skilled in general dermatology, surgical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.
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Sarah Alvis

Registered Nurse

Sarah Alvis - registered nurse in Boston

Sarah Alvis, BSN RN is a registered nurse with 6 years of nursing experience. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2016 and has worked in the NICU at Baylor Scott and White and Emergency Department at Boston Children’s Hospital. She is Laser and IPL safety certified. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, pilates, and taking her Boxer, Pike, on walks around Boston.

 

Kirsten Swenson

Executive Director

Kirsten Swenson

Kirsten joined the practice in 2019 as a clinical assistant and was shortly thereafter promoted to the Director of Clinical Operations and Research where she led the team of clinical assistants, coordinated the clinical research, and oversaw the daily clinical operations of the practice. After graduating in 2017 with her MBA, she later went on to obtain her MS in Medical Science from Boston University School of Medicine. She has a diverse background with over 10 years of experience in many healthcare settings, including hospital-based, residential, and private practice. Her passions in the workplace include strategic planning, mentorship, and continuous process improvement with a goal of providing the highest quality of care to patients. Kirsten has plans to continue into medicine as a physician assistant in the future, allowing her to combine her passions for clinical care and leadership.

 

Jordan Borash

Senior Clinical Coordinator/Acne Research Fellow

Jordan Borash

Jordan recently graduated from Saint James School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine (MD). While in medical school, she was heavily involved in her school’s Red Cross program. Jordan is both our acne research fellow and a senior clinical coordinator, where she assists with acne research under the supervision of Dr. Graber and leads the team of clinical assistants. She is working at the practice until she begins residency. When she is not working, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with friends and family.

Kevin Chen

Senior Clinical Coordinator

Kevin Chen

Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience from UMass Amherst and is currently finishing prerequisite courses at Northeastern. He hopes to pursue his medical career as a physician assistant.

 

Emily Goslin

Senior Administrative Coordinator/Medical Assistant

Emily Goslin

Emily joined the Dermatology Institute of Boston in January 2021. She comes from a dermatology practice at a major academic medical center where she worked in an administrative and research capacity. Emily has extensive knowledge regarding health insurance and healthcare administration which has been valuable in her role leading the administrative staff at the Dermatology Institute as well as supporting the practice as a medical assistant. Emily plans to apply to medical school in the near future. In her spare time, she enjoys ballroom dance and skiing.

Hazel Salvador

Medical Assistant

Hazel Salvador

Hazel graduated with a BS in Biology from the University of California- Riverside with honors distinction. She is currently a dual master’s student studying Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine and Public Health at the Milken Institute at George Washington University. She is in pursuit of a career as a physician working in a safety net practice as well as a health policy analyst researching, advocating for, and engaging in meaningful work to promote health and well-being and prevent disease through influencing the law. She has extensive involvement in community-driven programs including free clinics serving uninsured and vulnerable patients and educational intervention strategies to increase knowledge about vaccines.

 

Kaitlyn Schultz

Medical Assistant

Kaitlyn Schultz

Kaitlyn graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a degree in Biology and a minor in Spanish from Kalamazoo College in 2021. Kaitlyn is currently enrolled in a post bachelor premedical science program at Northeastern University, planning on applying to a Physician Assistant program next spring.

Monica Colmenares

Medical Assistant

Monica Colmenares

Monica graduated from Colby College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in computer science and environmental science. Monica is currently finishing her prerequisite courses at Northeastern University as she hopes to pursue medical school in the future. In her free time, Monica enjoys baking, painting, and knitting.

 

Lara Macintyre

Medical Assistant

Lara Macintyre

Lara graduated with a dual degree in English and french from Boston University with honors distinction. She is enrolled in a post-bac pre-med program at Tufts University, and she hopes to attend medical school in the future.

Taylor Gordon

Medical Assistant

Taylor Gordon

Taylor joined the practice in 2022. In addition to working at DIB, she is currently taking courses in order to apply to graduate programs in hopes of doing cancer research in the future. When she is not working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her dog, cooking, and catching up with friends.

 

Our team is comprised of caring, kind Certified Dermatology Technicians who strive to provide compassionate, professional health care and customer service.

Our Credentials

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Our Office

 

Frequently Asked Dermatology Questions

What does it mean to be a board-certified dermatologist?

A board-certified dermatologist is a highly skilled doctor (M.D.) whose expertise includes diagnosing and treating ailments on the skin, nails, and hair. They have years of experience in the field of dermatology, and they are essential to the services that dermatology clinics provide.

They can also practice their profession in hospitals and other related healthcare facilities. For a dermatologist to become board certified, they have to meet a substantial amount of eligibility requirements in addition to passing the necessary exams. By the time you’ve sat in a board-certified dermatologist’s office, they have already spent:

    • 4 years of undergraduate education getting a Bachelor’s degree
    • 4 years in medical school earning their M.D. or D.O. degree
    • 4 years in residency training, where they specialize in the field of dermatology
    • Passed medical school licensing exams and board certification exams

Some dermatologists complete additional years of training after residency to subspecialize in surgical dermatology (medical dermatology), cosmetic dermatology, or pediatric dermatology. However, all of them are well-versed in a baseline of treatments to handle many common disorders regarding hair, skin, and nails. A board-certified dermatologist is a dedicated individual with significant knowledge and passion for medical dermatology.

Are there different types of dermatologists?

The field of dermatology comes with a long range of available treatments, and some dermatologists also specialize in a specific category of dermatology. Many choose to continue their education after residency to broaden their skillset and provide more value to their patients. This continuing education is called a fellowship, of which there are four primary sub-categories or “branches” that focus on particular disorders and treatment solutions. These include surgical dermatology (namely, Mohs surgery), cosmetic dermatology, dermatopathology, and pediatric dermatology. It takes a minimum of 12 years to become a general dermatologist, and more if one of these fellowships is done.

Is it important to see a dermatologist?

It’s inevitable that any dermatologist would advocate for at least a yearly visit, but the importance of these visits usually goes unnoticed by many people. The skin is one of the most sensitive organs of the human body, and it plays an integral role in our overall health. Moreover, a long list of disorders and physical changes happen with the skin over time, and regular checkups with a dermatologist will let you know if anything sticks out from the norm.

The skin’s condition can also be very telling for anything that might be happening inside the body. It isn’t uncommon for an internal illness to show signs of illness through the appearance of the skin. Although many individuals may not be able to come to this conclusion themselves, a dermatologist can pick up on these changes instantly.

Additionally, visiting a dermatologist can give you the power to be proactive about an ailment or disorder that might be slowly developing internally or externally. If a dermatologist finds something odd about the skin, they know exactly which steps need to be taken next to ensure the patient’s well-being in the long run.

How much is a dermatologist visit?

This is guaranteed to vary based on the expertise, location, and method of treatment, but there’s a general range that you can expect with most dermatology visits. Within the U.S., it’s common for a dermatologist visit to cost anywhere between $100 to $300. Most types of visits will be covered by insurance. Your dermatologist will be transparent about the costs you can expect and will let you know what services are covered by insurance and which are not.

If you happen to need specialized, ongoing treatments, you can expect these costs to rise, and some will be more expensive than others. Nevertheless, you’ll always have the ability to discuss your options with your dermatologist so you can take the most cost-effective approach.

Initial visits usually entail a consultation and a general checkup of your current condition. If anything needs to be explored further, your dermatologist will suggest various treatments that cater to your specific needs.

When should you start seeing a dermatologist?

It’s recommended that those over the age of 18 should start looking into seeing a dermatologist annually for skin cancer screenings, especially if you have a strong family history of skin cancer. This is a good starting point for those who may not be suffering from any specific disorders. Regardless of age, if you’re noticing adverse effects on your skin, hair, or nails, it never hurts to consult a dermatologist about it.

Many different disorders in the field of dermatology can quietly develop over time without you noticing. When you go to a dermatology checkup, their expertise will be able to pick up on any visible abnormalities. In extreme cases, some disorders can be life-threatening, and the health of your skin, hair, and nails shouldn’t be taken lightly.

You also want to work with a skilled dermatologist you can rely on, and if you’re looking for a dermatologist in Boston, we offer multi-faceted solutions that ensure your health stays on track. Whether you’re currently dealing with a particular disorder or haven’t seen a dermatologist in quite some time, don’t wait to reach out to us and schedule an appointment.

Are dermatologist visits covered by insurance?

Most medical dermatology visits and procedures are covered by insurance. This may vary depending on the exact terms of your insurance plan, but you can expect insurance assistance when it comes to medical dermatology visits.

However, it’s common for insurance companies to avoid providing any assistance when it comes to cosmetic dermatology. This is because the treatments are cosmetic in nature and don’t focus on anything medically related. You can expect to pay for most cosmetic dermatology procedures out of pocket.

 


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Important Announcement

Dear Patients,

Our goal here at The Dermatology of Institute of Boston is protect the health of our patients and staff. To continue caring for our patients during these uncertain times, while strictly adhering to the guidelines set by the CDC, we will be only offering virtual consultations. For some patients, an in person visit is best, but if you feel that your concern could be addressed online, this may be a convenient option for you.

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