Park Slope Dermatology & Medi SpaOur dermatologist treats diseases of skin, hair, and nails. Acne and conditions related to acne, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, commonly referred to as “razor bumps,” and hirsutism are conditions she addresses. She has a special interest in psoriasis as a result of her training at Rockefeller University, where she did a postdoctoral fellowship in the therapeutics of psoriasis. Sebaceous hyperplasia and milia are two conditions that we also commonly encounter and are treated with the Fraxel laser. Education on skin cancer prevention, skin biopsies, if necessary, and full body skin checks and exams are offered.
While PSD does not accept insurance directly, many insurance companies provide out of network benefits, and if you are willing to do the legwork, we will provide you with the codes to help navigate this option.
You are worth it.
I know it can seem scary when you find a great doctor and you hear they don’t take insurance. Don’t let that scare you away. Give yourself a chance! Schedule that first appointment and then make a determination of whether you will continue. That is what I did and it has been 9 years. Yes it’s a sacrifice! But it is a decision I am glad I made for our family. Dr. Holder is an incredible doctor and healer. My children and I have struggled for years with our skin and scalp. She listened to our concerns, educated us and developed individual regiments to help us when others couldn’t and now we are thriving. Even though we are doing well, we still find our way to her from out of state for check ups. I had to save but I want you to know we are worth it and Dr. Holder is worth every sacrifice we made. Hands down, she is one of the most caring, empathetic and thorough doctors we have experienced. As for insurance, you can submit claims for some reimbursement and while you might not get back all of what you paid out, everything helps. So I encourage you to take the next step and schedule an appointment. For us, it has made a huge difference in how we look and feel. Thank you Dr. Holder. We are forever grateful.
— The McRaes
When I tried to get a dermatology appointment for my son in network I was going to have to wait 3 months. Meanwhile his dandruff was driving him crazy and his pediatrician’s recommendations were not helping. I found Dr. Holder in the neighborhood and was able to get an appointment within a couple of weeks. She gave my son a set routine to for skin and hair care and explained very clearly what was causing the itching and how to take care of it. He had relief within days. Although Dr. Holder is not in network, she and her lovely office staff made it very easy to submit a claim to our insurance company. We received 80% reimbursement for the bill.
— Carolyn Altman
I want to thank Dr. Holder for the great results my teenage daughter has seen after ONLY 2 laser hair removal treatments! My daughter had been traveling to a doctor in Manhattan but the results were slow and painful (despite substantial numbing time before hand). Frustrated with the lack of results and time commitment, I decided to switch to a local dermatologist. After just 2 treatments with Dr. Holder, my daughter has seen her best results yet and the Lumenis LightSheer INFINITY laser has proven to be effective and relatively pain free. Dr. Holder has also successfully treated my teenage son’s acne. We couldn’t be happier to have discovered Dr. Holder! She is professional, thorough, extremely personable and provides excellent aftercare to ensure optimal results. She makes both of my kids feel welcome and comfortable during their appointments, explains their treatment plans in ways that they understand and follow and takes time to answer all of our questions. Thank you Dr. Holder!
— a Park Slope Mom
Dr. Holder’s Comments on Medical Dermatology
My first residency in internal medicine was completed at Brown University in Rhode Island. During this period, I was the first resident to do tropical medical research training in Uganda, Africa, in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University. This experience established a clinical track in Uganda, Africa for future residents at Brown University of Medicine and its affiliate hospitals in Uganda, Africa. I interfaced with brilliant clinicians who, at that time, were forced to rely on their outstanding diagnostic skills based on history and physical diagnosis, since, at that point in time, there was very little access to technology. I was exposed to textbook medicine cases not seen in the United States. It was through this experience that I decided to pursue a career in dermatology. I learned about the impact of the body’s largest organ system – the skin – and how it serves as a lens or a window into a patient’s internal health.
In my early years at Park Slope Dermatology, I recall the case of a nine year old boy who presented with alopecia areata (hair loss) and was below normal on the stature-for-age growth chart. After doing blood work, thyroid disease was uncovered, associated with low growth hormone. After collaborating with a pediatrician and proper treatment, he shot up overnight, had full hair recovery, and reached his full growth potential, genetically programmed by his six-foot tall paternal grandfather.
Another case I recall was a teenage girl presenting with excessive facial hair (hirsutism) resembling a werewolf, who was ostracized by her peers. After collaborating with her pediatrician to give hormonal therapy and performing laser hair removal, we were able to reverse the condition.
Not every case in dermatology presents as dramatically as above. However, with an experienced clinician’s diagnosis and treatment, a patient’s entire life can be changed.
[insert review from patient who was 100% reimbursed by medicare and what Sydney said]
Dr. Holder’s Comments on Psoriasis
In between the two residencies for internal medicine and dermatology, I did a NIH post-doctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University and Rockefeller Hospital on the therapeutics of psoriasis under the tutelage of Dr. James Kruger M.D., PhD in his Investigative Dermatology laboratory. This bench to bedside science represented clinical research at its best. We modeled psoriasis as the prototype autoimmune disease. In the most simplistic explanation, psoriasis represents overactive T-lymphocytes and their mediators triggering the overgrowth of keratinocytes, or skin cells. Our research incorporated manipulating the man-made molecule DAB(389)IL-2 to trace and code the causative immune pathways of psoriasis. This research proved to be futuristic, laying down the groundwork for the current class of therapeutics – the biologics – medicines used in the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.
This research in my early years in dermatology has heightened my clinical acumen not only in psoriasis but also for diagnosing and treating other autoimmune diseases. When a patient walks into my office with psoriasis, I am reminded of my early years of training, and I am confident.
[insert review from Julian Russo explaining how he was reimbursed by insurance after going out of network]
Adolescent Dermatology
Dr. Holder also treats adolescents. One of Dr. Holder’s motivations is seeing the upliftment in confidence once patients navigating this delicate time of their lives receive transformative skin care, which influences their outcomes as adults. Common skin problems seen in adolescents are acne and hair loss, which she treats with individualized therapies. Additionally, common and plantar warts (also known as verrucae) are common in adolescents and Dr. Holder has novel therapies for these conditions.
Dr. Holder’s comments on adolescent dermatology:
This demographic has most touched my heart. I am passionate about making a difference in the life of that shy pre-teen boy or girl in the middle of adolescence who has very low self-esteem due to the outward appearance of acne on their face or back that has not ceased with conventional medical therapy. For a parent to invite me into their “village” as a dermatologist to assist in skin health and molding a confident person, is one of the greatest honors of my profession. It is not rare for a teenager to visit me on the way home from college before even seeing their parents. Managing adolescence acne and helping to build a confident adult is, to me, the joie d’vie,
For parents who are willing to step out of the box of their network and explore the possibility of cosmetic intervention for their child’s acne, we can get remarkable results. Very often, parents are even reimbursed if they have out of network privileges.
The first cohort of children I treated 15 years ago are nearing their thirties and still to this day drop by my office with skin concerns. These young, confident adults are our community’s movers & shakers. Talk about continuity of care at its best!
My entire family loves Dr. Holder. She provided comprehensive skin care to my children through their teens into young adulthood. She was thorough, patient, kind, and gave them confidence. Not only did she explain the medicine in a way they could understand, but also provided step-by-step personalized after-care instructions. I would not trust anyone else to take care of my kids dermatology and skincare needs!
— A.H.
When I tried to get a dermatology appointment for my son in network I was going to have to wait 3 months. Meanwhile his dandruff was driving him crazy and his pediatrician’s recommendations were not helping. I found Dr. Holder in the neighborhood and was able to get an appointment within a couple of weeks. She gave my son a set routine to for skin and hair care and explained very clearly what was causing the itching and how to take care of it. He had relief within days. Although Dr. Holder is not in network, she and her lovely office staff made it very easy to submit a claim to our insurance company. We received 80% reimbursement for the bill.
— Carolyn Altman
Tinea Versicolor
This is a chronic spotty condition of the skin, which may have a genetic predisposition, associated with a yeast that lives in one’s hair follicles and skin.
The appearance is based on skin type, which translates to “lighter” or “darker” spots.
T.V. is often seen in people who have oily skin, or over secretion of the pilo-sebacceous unit associated with over production of yeast, or excessive sweating, for example, in teenagers, young adults, athletes, and pregnant women.
Humid climates such as summertime or tropical hemispheres aggravate this condition further.
Rashes
The medical specialist that is best trained to diagnose and treat rashes is a dermatologist.
The origin of a rash or exanthem may be inflammatory (e.g. seborrheic dermatitis), infectious (e.g. impetigo), neoplastic (e.g.Mycosis Fungoides (MF)), genetic (e.g. atopic dermatitis), fungal (e.g. tinea), viral (shingles), autoimmune (e.g. lupus, psoriasis), idiopathic (e.g. sarcoidosis) or other causes not mentioned, which may be multiple.
Sometimes a dermatologist may do a small sample or biopsy and may consult with another specialist, a dermatopathologist, to make a definitive diagnosis. Often patients bounce around from one place to another, frustrated with a persistent rash. Dr. Holder has seen it all – a plethora of rashes – at Park Slope Dermatology and in her formal training at SUNY Downstate and during her additional training in Uganda; Africa; France; and Jamaica, West Indies.