At Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, we pride ourselves in maintaining excellent communication between our experienced providers and patients. You might have noticed this in our daily social media posts and blogs. We’re now focusing attention toward the newest addition of our team, Danna Dennis Calder M.M.Sc., PA-C, to help you get to know her on a more personal level.

Danna’s Road to Dermatology

Danna has worked in many different medical and surgical dermatology capacities throughout her career. She has developed a deep knowledge of clinical and cosmetic treatment that makes her a huge asset to the Dermatology Associates of Atlanta staff. Her interest in dermatology started from a young age. “I have always loved the field of Dermatology!  I had acne as a teenager, and I clearly remember how much the Kenalog injections meant to me before a big date or presentation!  However, more than anything, I remember the thrill of having long-lasting clear skin following my course of isotretinoin (Accutane). I would do it again tomorrow if I ever needed it,” she says. 

Early Career Experiences

Starting her dermatology career in Beverly Hills during the early 90s as both a medical aesthetician and medical assistant, Danna quickly learned how to treat patients with all different types of skin and health conditions, including those with HIV and AIDS. Danna commented, “I remember how grateful these patients were, in particular, after a medical facial. Many of them were desperate for a kind touch, given all the confusion back then regarding risks of transmission.”  She sees parallels to her career now, and explained, “Dermatology is typically a happy medicine, which makes people feel both physically and emotionally better in their own skin. I look forward to going to work each and every day.”

Dermatology Care for the Entire Family

When Danna was asked about the most rewarding aspect of being a physician assistant, she didn’t hesitate with her response. “Continuity of care.  I enjoy getting to know entire families.  I may treat an infant for diaper dermatitis, follow their parents for annual skin exams, and see the grandparents for skin cancer biopsies and excisions.  I enjoy knowing and caring for families throughout the years.”

Using Advanced Skincare Therapies

Since Danna began her role at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta in September 2019, we asked her about what she’s most excited about with her new physician assistant role. She explained that she’s looking forward to having a full range of therapies available, especially cosmetic lasers. For the past 14 years, she has been referring patients to Dermatology Associates of Atlanta for the various, advanced laser therapies. She’s very excited to now provide many in-house laser services for patients because of all the resources that are available at our Laser Institute of Georgia.

Danna’s Advice for Healthy Skincare

“The best advice that I could give a patient about maintaining good skin health is applying daily sunscreen,” Danna says. She applies it to her own skin every day — “rain, sleet or snow.” She explained that she follows this routine “by thinking of it as my morning moisturizer, it has become a habit just like brushing my teeth.  I’ve also learned over the years that you can’t judge the quality of a skin care product by cost.  Many medical-grade products available at dermatology offices are less expensive than what patients have been buying on their own! They often are spending small fortunes on high-end department store brands (creams, serums and potions) that are therapeutically no better than anything you could find at local grocery stores. It’s worth the quality- and price-comparison.”

Life Outside of Dermatology Associates of Atlanta

In addition to her physician assistant position at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta, Danna is also a wife and mother of two teenage girls. She and her husband spend many weekends on the soccer field, cheering for their girls. Danna also loves to sew, read, attend concerts and go to the theater whenever possible.  She also loves her menagerie of animals: three cats and two Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

When we asked Danna to tell us a fun fact about herself, she responded, “something unique about me is that I am a PADI certified scuba diver and have dived the Great Barrier Reef, Roatan as well as many other great locations.  While diving the Great Barrier Reef, I accidentally came face to face (within 3 feet) of an approximately 17-foot great white shark.  I don’t care to ever do that again.”

The whole team at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta is thrilled to have Danna Dennis Calder M.M.Sc., PA-C join our team of providers. We hope you enjoyed getting to know her on a more personal level. To schedule an appointment with Danna or one of our other dermatology providers, call our office at (404) 256-4457. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for dermatology information and updates on our monthly cosmetic specials.