How can dermatology and medicine as a whole—embrace digital care without compromising quality? In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Lee joins Dr. Leo Damasco and Phoebe Gutierrez to share her journey from NIH researcher to founding CLMD, a patented sensitive skincare line, and Zōca, a comprehensive telehealth platform spanning multiple specialties.
She recounts how patients across the globe sought her eczema expertise online after launching her skincare line in 2014, sparking the idea for a scalable, collaborative teledermatology ecosystem. Dr. Lee details how she built Zōca not just for dermatology but as an all-specialties, patient-centered platform complete with integrated EMRs, labs, asynchronous care, and provider collaboration tools.
Beyond tech, she discusses launching Expert Derm, a fellowship program that has already trained nearly 100 clinicians in dermatology fundamentals with a built-in telederm business—“a business in a box.” She explains how she's empowering non-derm-trained clinicians, pediatricians, family med doctors, PAs, and NPs to treat skin conditions virtually and improve patient access without needing years of formal residency.
The conversation also touches on the future of AI in medicine, the value of clinical reasoning, and how physician leadership must evolve to remain central in digital care.
Three Actionable Takeaways:
1. Learn Dermatology at Scale – With a growing need for dermatologic care, clinicians from all specialties can build practical telederm proficiency through programs like Expert Derm and integrate it into virtual or hybrid practices.
2. Build a Business Around Your Expertise – Dr. Lee provides physicians with their own teledermatology platform, including malpractice coverage, EMR, virtual staff, and branding—allowing them to start practicing with minimal operational hurdles.
3. Embrace Telehealth Education and Regulation – Telemedicine success depends on understanding state laws, scope of practice, and regulatory compliance. Training programs that include telehealth law and workflow education are key for clinician confidence and success.
About the Show:
Telemedicine Talks explores the evolving world of digital health, helping physicians navigate new opportunities, regulatory challenges, and career transitions in telemedicine.
About the Guest:
Dr. Cheryl Lee is a board-certified dermatologist, NIH-trained researcher, and founder of CLMD, a patented sensitive skincare line, and Zōca, a digital health platform delivering specialty care virtually. She also created Expert Derm, a teledermatology fellowship program that equips clinicians to practice derm virtually and launch their own telederm clinics. Her mission is to democratize access to specialty care and empower clinicians with the tools to do so.
🧴 Skincare Line: https://www.clmd.com
🌐 Teledermatology Platform: https://www.zoca.com
🎓 Fellowship: https://www.zoca.com/fellowship/dermatology
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expertderm.fellowship/
About the Hosts:
Dr. Leo Damasco – Pediatrician and emergency physician turned telemedicine advocate, focused on virtual care transformation.
Phoebe Gutierrez – Former state regulator turned telehealth executive, passionate about compliance, access, and sustainable care delivery.
📧 Contact Phoebe: [email protected]
🔗 Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkgutierrez/
The information provided in Telemedicine Talks is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal, or financial advice. While we discuss best practices, industry trends, and real-world experiences, every situation is unique. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals before making decisions related to telemedicine practice, compliance, contracts, or business operations. The views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations they may be affiliated with.
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