SKIN DEEP

How does a child who smuggled gold out of communist Cuba at age five end up shaping the future of dermatological care for patients of color across three continents?

On this episode of Skin Deep, Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. David Rodriguez — a Miami-based dermatologist with over 35 years in clinical practice, pharmaceutical research, and academic medicine. A first-generation Cuban American, Dr. Rodriguez trained in internal medicine before dedicating his career to dermatology, building practices in Coral Gables and Kendall. He is a founding member of the Skin of Color Society and co-editor of the landmark textbook The Skin of Color, co-authored with Dr. Susan Taylor. His driving conviction? That patients of color deserve research-backed, culturally intelligent care — and that dermatology still has significant ground to cover.

What does it actually take to shift a patient's behavior before the damage is done? Dr. Rodriguez challenges the field's tendency to chase procedures over prevention, making a pointed case for patient education. "Every hour, somebody's diagnosed with a melanoma. Every hour — and they're not ninety. They're forty. They're thirty." The conversation spans cultural skincare habits in Hispanic and Caribbean communities, the transformative impact of biologics on conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and a frank look at why 10,000 dermatologists simply aren't enough for 350 million people. Woven throughout is an extraordinary personal narrative: a child who literally smuggled gold out of communist Cuba and grew up to become one of the field's most respected voices.

Dr. David Rodriguez is a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist with practices in Coral Gables and Kendall, specializing in medical dermatology and clinical research. A first-generation Cuban American, he graduated medical school in 1981 and has been in practice since 1989. Dr. Rodriguez is a founding member of the Skin of Color Society and co-editor of The Skin of Color, a landmark textbook co-authored with Dr. Susan Taylor. He conducts ongoing pharmaceutical clinical trials and has mentored the next generation of dermatologists — including Skin Deep host Dr. Anna Chacon — throughout his career.

In This Episode:

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:

Dr. David Rodriguez — Practice Locations Coral Gables and Kendall, Miami, FL https://www.bestprosintown.com/fl/kendall/dadeland-dermatology-group-david-rodriguez-md-/

American Academy of Dermatology (mentioned — Dr. Susan Taylor referenced as incoming president) www.aad.org

Operation Pedro Pan / Peter Pan Program (historical reference) The Catholic Welfare Bureau program that brought Cuban children to the U.S. to avoid military conscription under Fidel Castro. www.pedropan.org (archival/historical reference)

Skin of Color Society (SOCS) Founded by Dr. Susan Taylor; Dr. David Rodriguez identified as a founding member. www.skinofcolorsociety.org
Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
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YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

What does it take for a girl from Costa Rica, raised between music and financial hardship, to inspire one of America's most recognized dermatologists?

Jeanette Enriquez, born December 22, 1941, in San José, Costa Rica, is the grandmother of Dr. Anna H. Chacón — host of Skin Deep and Miami's board-certified dermatologist and beauty expert. A lifelong advocate for family unity and education, Jeanette raised six children across two countries before immigrating to the United States. Her story is not one of credentials, but of something far more enduring: values passed hand to hand, generation to generation. What does it take to raise a doctor? Ask her grandmother.

In this intimate episode of Skin Deep, Jeanette traces her journey from a musical childhood in Turrialba, Costa Rica, to a sixty-year marriage that began with handwritten letters. She and Dr. Anna H. Chacón explore financial hardship in Guatemala, the weight of cultural traditions, and what it looked like to watch a granddaughter choose studying over socializing, every single time. "The day I leave, I will go with the greatest pride, having seen Anna grow into the amazing professional she is today."

Jeanette Enriquez was born on December 22, 1941, in San José, Costa Rica, and grew up in Turrialba, where her family roots ran deep and music filled the home. At fifteen, she began working as a cashier to support her family. A mother of six, a home economics teacher, and a great-grandmother, Jeanette has been a lifelong champion of family unity, cultural traditions, and perseverance — values she passed directly on to her granddaughter, Dr. Anna H. Chacón.

In This Episode:

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:

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

What does it really cost — personally and professionally — to build a practice without borders?

In this solo episode of Skin Deep, Dr. Anna Chacon—board-certified dermatologist, valedictorian, and Brown University Program in Liberal Medical Education alumna—reflects on the extraordinary career that shaped her into one of medicine's most unconventional practitioners. Licensed in all 50 states, D.C., Guam, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, and named Best Teledermatologist in the USA in 2024, Dr. Chacon is a Miami native of Hispanic and indigenous heritage who fought through significant barriers to reach the top of a specialty with only 3% Hispanic representation. 

 Dr. Chacon takes listeners across three continents and through some of medicine's most remote outposts: studying leprosy and HIV skin disease at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in the Philippines, learning from albinism specialists in Tanzania, and volunteering in West Africa where scarce resources blocked even the most basic treatments. She recounts becoming the first dermatologist to serve Utqiaġvik, Alaska's Iñupiat community through the Arctic Slope Native Association, the complexity of telehealth licensure in all 50 states, and a remarkable case of Kimura's disease successfully treated off-label with Dupilumab. Her mission, she says, is always evolving—from Miami Derm to America's dermatologist.

Dr. Anna Chacon, MD FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist, author, and Miami native who earned both her undergraduate degree in Economics and her medical degree from Brown University's Program in Liberal Medical Education, graduating valedictorian from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. She completed her residency at LAC+USC Medical Center and owns Gables Dermatology & Aesthetics in Coral Gables, Florida. A prolific author in peer-reviewed journals including JAAD and the British Journal of Dermatology, she was named Best Teledermatologist in the USA in 2024 and is a founding voice in Indigenous Dermatology.


In This Episode:

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.

Resources:

Arctic Slope Native Association (ASNA) — Utqiavik, Alaska:

https://arcticslope.org

 Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) — Philippines:

https://ritm.gov.ph

 Indigenous Dermatology (Dr. Chacon's organization):

https://www.indigenousdermatology.com

 Indigenous Skin Spectrum Summit (annual conference featuring Dr. Chacon):

https://www.skinspectrum.ca/isss

 Dupixent (Dupilumab — treatment discussed in episode):

https://www.dupixent.com

 YouTube Health (Dr. Chacon mentioned her approval as a health educator):

https://www.youtube.com/health

 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (Dr. Chacon mentioned membership):

https://eadv.org

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

What happens when a physician knows a patient still has a chance — but the hospital, the insurance company, and the nursing staff have all decided it's time to let go?

Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and host of Skin Deep, welcomes a truly singular guest — her father, Dr. Arsenio Chacon. A retired critical care pediatrician with more than thirty years of practice in Miami, Dr. Arsenio trained at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and spent the bulk of his career leading the pediatric critical care unit at Baptist Hospital. What drove three decades in one of medicine's most demanding specialties? A conviction that took root in rural Cuba and never left: that a physician's most important quality, beyond clinical skill, is the courage to act on instinct when every force in the room is telling you to stand down.

From a childhood of coffee trees and cane fields in rural Cuba to the political persecution that forced his family's escape, Dr. Arsenio traces the origins of a resilience that would define his entire career. What does it mean to fight for a patient's life when the insurance company, the hospital administration, and even the nursing staff have already moved on? He's direct about it. He also offers candid views on why physicians must educate themselves in business — or risk being exploited by those who did. "The patient is the one with the disease," he says. That one principle, he explains, protected his family life as much as it shaped his clinical practice. A rare and personal conversation.

Dr. Arsenio Chacon is a retired physician who practiced critical care pediatrics in Miami, Florida for over thirty years. Born in rural Cuba and raised amid political upheaval, he immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his family, overcoming language barriers and cultural displacement to pursue medicine. He completed a pediatrics residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and a fellowship in critical care, ultimately leading the intensive care unit at Baptist Hospital in Miami. Known for his clinical perseverance, ethical integrity, and outspoken advocacy for physician business literacy, Dr. Chacon retired from practice and is the proud father of host Dr. Anna Chacon. 

In This Episode:

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:

Dr. Arsenio Chacon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-arcenio-chacon-b0a28686/

Opus Dei (Catholic organization that housed and supported Dr. Arsenio during medical school): https://www.opusdei.org 

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

Why did a successful solo aesthetics business owner close three locations in two years to join a med spa?

Dr. Chacon welcomes award-winning Miami aesthetician Ornella Lopresti to Skin Deep. Ornella shares her unique journey from graduating Miami Senior High's cosmetology program with her full specialty license at 18 to becoming a competitive esthetician who approaches every treatment with championship-level precision. With over a decade in aesthetics—including three years in med spa settings and work with luxury brands like Clarins and La Prairie—Ornella discusses her evolution from solo entrepreneur to successful med spa professional. Her expertise centers on anti-aging treatments, sensitive skin care, and microneedling, with a refreshing emphasis on setting professional boundaries and maintaining quality standards.

The conversation explores critical topics for both professionals and patients in the aesthetics world. Are there red flags clients should watch for when choosing an esthetician? What's the reality behind trending treatments like salmon DNA and Morpheus? Ornella candidly discusses the financial challenges of solo practice, why she transitioned to a med spa model, and the importance of medical oversight for procedures like microneedling. From social media strategies to firing difficult clients, this episode delivers honest insights into the business of beauty. Plus, discover why a tinted SPF 50 is her desert island product and learn the one facial treatment she believes transforms skin better than any other.

Ornella Lopresti is an award-winning aesthetician based in Miami with over 10 years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry. A graduate of Miami Senior High's cosmetology program, she earned her full specialty license in facials, waxing, and nails before turning 18 and competed at regional and state levels. Her career spans luxury skincare companies including Clarins, La Prairie, and Sisley, culminating in founding Fountain of Youth Beauty before transitioning to med spa settings. Specializing in anti-aging treatments, sensitive skin care, and microneedling, Ornella combines championship-level precision with genuine client care. She also offers pop-up facial services in Orlando and provides complimentary skin consultations to help clients navigate their skincare journeys.

In This Episode:

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:

Website: https://ilucollective.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ornella-lopresti-805336191/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/fountainofyouthbeauty.spa/
Instagram: @orniemua or @orniemoi

Skincare Brands/Companies Mentioned:

Clarins - https://www.clarinsusa.com

La Prairie - https://www.laprairie.com

Sisley - https://www.sisley-paris.com

SkinCeuticals (UV Physical Fusion SPF 50) - https://www.skinceuticals.com

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

What if the future of therapy isn't about replacing therapists, but giving them an AI co-pilot they control?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Akram "AK" Azaiez, founder and CEO of Eggmed, an AI-powered EHR platform revolutionizing behavioral health technology. Originally from Tunisia, AK transitioned from financial services to Silicon Valley product management before launching Eggmed—a platform born from his personal experiences as both a therapy consumer and as the son of a parent with Alzheimer's. How does a small startup compete with established EHR giants? AK believes the answer lies in building trust through superior user experience, clinician-centered design, and authentic understanding of provider pain points in mental health practice management.

The conversation explores Eggmed's unique features including front office AI automation, advanced revenue cycle management, and seamless interoperability. AK discusses the strategic spinoff of Retio, an omnichannel AI workflow builder for practices with existing EHRs. Topics range from HIPAA compliance challenges to the ethics of AI in therapy, policy barriers to healthcare access, and the importance of in-person connections in an increasingly automated world. What role will AI play in the future of therapy? AK shares his vision for AI as co-pilot, not replacement, for clinicians.

Akram "AK" Azaiez is the founder and CEO of Eggmed, an AI-powered EHR platform designed specifically for behavioral health practices. Born and raised in Tunisia, AK moved to California at 21, completing his education before launching a career in financial services and tech product management in San Francisco. His personal journey with mental health—both as a therapy consumer and through his father's decade-long battle with Alzheimer's—inspired him to create Eggmed. Today, AK leads a diverse 13-16 member team across Eggmed and its spinoff company Retio, focusing on building technology that supports clinicians through kindness, innovation, and genuine understanding of healthcare workflows.

In This Episode:

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:

Website: https://www.eggmed.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akazaiez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eggmedapp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Eggmed/61562936117551/

HIMSS conference (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) - https://www.himss.org/

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

Is locum tenens just a gap year option, or could it be the foundation for long-term financial freedom and lifestyle design?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Genevieve Jacobs, a board-certified physician who launched her locum tenens career immediately after residency in 2020. Why did Dr. Jacobs choose temporary assignments over traditional employment? She shares how this path allowed her to work across the United States and internationally while maintaining complete autonomy over her schedule. Beyond clinical work, Dr. Jacobs has built a thriving consulting business, presenting to prestigious residency programs including Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Cleveland Clinic while creating digital courses filmed across five countries.

The conversation explores the financial realities of locum work, from negotiating competitive rates to maximizing tax advantages through LLC structures. Dr. Jacobs reveals her strategies for avoiding red flags in assignments, streamlining the credentialing process, and maintaining secure document management systems. They discuss international opportunities, the challenges of licensing in different provinces and countries, and how locum tenens can serve as both a lifestyle choice and a legitimate small business model for physicians seeking flexibility without sacrificing income.

Dr. Genevieve Jacobs is a board-certified physician who began her locum tenens career directly after residency in 2020. Passionate about travel and flexibility, she has worked in diverse U.S. locations including Alaska, Montana, and California, as well as pursuing international assignments. Dr. Jacobs has built a consulting business to guide physicians into locum tenens, offering digital resources, courses filmed across five countries, and presentations to residency programs at Johns Hopkins, Yale, and Cleveland Clinic. She shares expertise on workplace insights, licensing, credentialing, compensation negotiation, and the business side of locum tenens, empowering physicians to balance professional growth with personal fulfillment while maintaining financial independence.

In This Episode:

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:

Dr. Genevieve Jacobs:

Website: https://drjacobshealth.com

Instagram: @drjacobshealth (referenced for DM consultations)

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC): https://www.imlcc.org

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

Can you truly innovate in medicine without standing at the bedside?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Geoff Bocobo, a physician innovator reshaping the intersection of clinical medicine and healthcare entrepreneurship. With research credentials from Brigham and Women's Hospital—where his work contributed to FDA-approved pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy—Geoff co-founded Med6, a surgical monitoring startup, and later joined Boston Consulting Group's healthcare AI practice. What drives someone to return to residency after such accomplishments? Geoff believes meaningful healthcare innovation requires ongoing clinical insight. His conviction: you cannot transform systems-level care without understanding patient care firsthand.

The conversation explores pressing public health challenges facing modern medicine. How can we shift from reactive to preventative care? Geoff identifies access and affordability as the two most critical barriers undermining quality healthcare delivery. As host of The MD Plus Podcast—a 4,000-member community for aspiring physician innovators—he shares guidance for clinicians entering biotech and health tech spaces. From generative AI applications in biopharma manufacturing to electronic health record transformations, this episode examines where clinical expertise meets technological advancement in today's evolving healthcare landscape.

Dr. Geoff Bocobo is a physician innovator, healthcare consultant, and founder of The MD Plus Podcast, a community of 4,000 aspiring clinician-entrepreneurs. His research at Brigham and Women's Hospital contributed to Sotatercept (WinRevir), an FDA-approved pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment. As co-founder of Med6, he developed automated surgical drain monitoring technology. His consulting work at Boston Consulting Group focused on generative AI applications in biopharma and government healthcare systems. Currently applying for internal medicine residency, Geoff envisions a career split between clinical practice and innovation work—believing that meaningful healthcare transformation requires sustained bedside experience to inform systems-level solutions.

In This Episode:

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:

The MD Plus Podcast

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Institutions Mentioned:

Healthcare Conferences:

FDA-Approved Drug Mentioned:

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

Can going back to school in your 30s or 40s actually make you a better clinician than starting straight out of college?

Dr. Anna Chacon sits down with Christina Algeciras, LMHC, a psychotherapist who transformed her career from international logistics to holistic mental health care. Christina shares her journey through corporate burnout, yoga instruction, and ultimately establishing a thriving private practice in South Florida. With a master's degree in psychotherapy completed in 2019, she brings unique insight into career reinvention, having navigated the challenges of returning to school as a non-traditional student. Her approach centers on helping clients understand the root causes of their struggles rather than surface-level symptom management.

The conversation explores the realities of mid-life career transitions, the importance of support systems during professional reinvention, and the courage required to step outside comfort zones. Christina discusses her decision to build a bespoke therapy practice that doesn't accept insurance, allowing her to focus on depth-oriented work with clients facing anxiety, depression, chronic health issues, and intergenerational trauma. How does one overcome the fear of starting over? What role does emotional intelligence play in patient care? The discussion offers valuable perspective for healthcare professionals considering alternative practice models and anyone navigating significant life transitions.

Christina Algeciras, LMHC is a psychotherapist in private practice based in South Florida who specializes in holistic, relationship-focused care. After experiencing burnout in her corporate career in international logistics, she transitioned through yoga instruction before earning her master's degree in psychotherapy, which she completed in December 2019. Christina works with diverse populations addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic health conditions, and intergenerational challenges, particularly within immigrant families. Her practice philosophy emphasizes getting to the root of issues through depth-oriented work rather than insurance-dictated protocols. She is known for her commitment to individualized care and her integration of somatic practices with traditional psychotherapy.

In This Episode:

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:

Christina Algeciras, LMHC:

Resources Mentioned:

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts

What are the three biggest tax mistakes Jose Cruz sees entrepreneurs make—and how do you avoid them?

In this episode of Skin Deep, Dr. Chacon welcomes Jose Cruz, CPA and founder of Cruz Tax and Advisory Group. Jose, a Cuban-American accountant who arrived in the U.S. at age three, shares his journey from a high school accounting internship to building a practice dedicated to serving immigrants and bilingual clients. What drove him to accounting? The desire to bridge the knowledge gap for those—like his parents—navigating an unfamiliar financial system. Jose believes big-firm quality should be accessible to small businesses and startups, and he's making that vision a reality in South Florida.

What are the biggest tax mistakes holding your practice back? Jose reveals common pitfalls like Schedule C misuse, inadequate expense tracking, and the misconceptions surrounding business valuation. Should you elect S-Corp status? How do CPAs differ from EAs and traditional tax preparers? What tools actually help streamline your accounting? From real estate investor strategies to the optimal timing for S-Corp conversion (hint: it's around $20-25K net profit), this conversation delivers actionable insights on maximizing deductions, avoiding IRS red flags, and building sustainable financial habits. "Accounting is the language of business," Jose reminds us—and understanding it could save your practice thousands.

Jose Cruz is a Certified Public Accountant and founder of Cruz Tax and Advisory Group, based in South Florida. Born in Cuba and arriving in the United States at age three after his parents won the Cuban lottery, Jose discovered his passion for accounting during a high school internship. His mission is simple yet powerful: deliver big-firm expertise at accessible rates to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and immigrant communities who face language and resource barriers. With experience at global and national accounting firms, Jose brings sophisticated financial strategies to mom-and-pop businesses, real estate investors, and bilingual clients. His approach emphasizes transparency, education, and relatability—helping the next generation of entrepreneurs understand complex tax strategies through plain English communication.

In This Episode:

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:

Cruz Tax and Advisory Group

Website: https://www.cruztaxadvisory.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-cruz-85b893170/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctagroup/

BNI (Business Network International) - https://www.bni.com/

Website: www.drannachacon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miamiderm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiderm/

YouTube:https:/www.youtube.com/@miamiderm/podcasts