Five Northwest Florida Dermatologists Named Top Physicians for 2026
Dermatology Specialists of Florida marks 20 years of comprehensive skin care with a peer-reviewed honor for five of its board-certified physicians
Dr. Haley Lewis, Dr. John H. Phillips III, Dr. Kaisa van der Kooi, Dr. Michael A. Stickler, and Dr. Jon R. Ward
For two decades, Dermatology Specialists of Florida has been the trusted name families across the Emerald Coast turn to for their skin, from routine checkups to complex surgical care. This year, that trust has been recognized on a new level: four of the practice’s physicians have been voted Top Physicians in Dermatology for the Emerald Coast region, and a fifth earned the same distinction in Tallahassee, through a peer review survey conducted by Professional Research Services.
Dr. Haley Lewis, Dr. John H. Phillips III, Dr. Michael A. Stickler, and Dr. Jon R. Ward were each named among Emerald Coast Magazine’s Top Physicians, while Dr. Kaisa van der Kooi received the same honor from Tallahassee Magazine. Because the recognition comes directly from fellow physicians, it reflects the clinical judgment, surgical skill, and consistency that colleagues in the field trust and respect.
“Being recognized by our peers means a great deal, because it’s a reflection of the work we do every day for our patients,” said Michael Stickler, MD, double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Dermatology Specialists of Florida’s Panama City Beach and Santa Rosa Beach locations. “As we celebrate 20 years of caring for families across northwest Florida, this honor is a reminder of why we do what we do.”
That 20-year milestone is really the heart of the story. What began as a single dermatology practice has grown into a full family of care spanning 15 locations from Gulf Breeze to Tallahassee, now encompassing Dermatology Specialists of Florida, Aqua Medical Spa for aesthetic treatments, and The Hair Transplant and Restoration Center for advanced hair loss solutions. That local growth is part of a broader story too: Dermatology Specialists has expanded to more than 30 locations across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, though the approach here at home has stayed the same: comprehensive, board-certified dermatology care under one roof.
That comprehensive approach spans three areas. On the medical side, the team diagnoses and treats everything from acne and eczema to skin cancer screenings, backed by the continuity of care that comes from doctors who know their patients over years. On the cosmetic side, patients can access the latest treatments for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging through Aqua Medical Spa, addressing both health and confidence within one trusted network. And for more advanced needs, the practice also offers surgical dermatology.
Mohs surgery remains the practice’s primary approach to skin cancer treatment, performed by board-certified surgeons with excellent outcomes. Image-guided superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is also available as a non-surgical option for select patients. Combined with medical dermatology and cosmetic care, it’s comprehensive treatment close to home for families across northwest Florida.
That range of care, delivered by physicians their own peers have voted among the best in the region, is what Dermatology Specialists of Florida wants families across northwest Florida to remember as the practice enters its third decade: whatever your skin, or your scalp, needs, the team is here for you.
Dermatology Specialists of Florida has 15 locations serving Bonifay, DeFuniak Springs, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Marianna, Milton, Navarre, Niceville, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Panama City Beach West, Port St. Joe, Santa Rosa Beach, Tallahassee, and Watersound Origins. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit MyDermSpecialists.com or call 850-233-DERM. For cosmetic treatments, visit AquaMedicalSpa.com or call 877-563-3772. For hair loss solutions, visit TransplantandRestore.com or call 844-994-HAIR.
