Dear Doctor: Gervaise Gerstner
The creative dermatologist on building a practice like a family.
Dr. Gervaise Gerstner grew up in Georgia with a father who was a doctor. Her love for art and beauty were prominent throughout her life, and so she was sure she’d follow a different path than her father had planned. Through a unique program at Princeton and Mount Sinai, Dr. Gerstner ended up in medical school, realizing that helping people was all she really wanted to do. Now, she runs her own private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, while consulting for a range of beauty companies, from giant L’Oreal to most recently Derma E, a natural skin care line. Read on to learn about how this caring doctor has brought her southern charm to New York City by creating a practice that is like a family.
“My father grew up in a tiny little town in South Georgia. His mom had given him the choice to be a doctor or a preacher (they were Southern Baptists, who went to church eight times a week). My father ended up choosing to become a doctor. Then when my brother and I came around, my father gave us a similar choice, except it was to be a doctor or to be a doctor.”
Ending up in Medical School
I went to Princeton for college and majored in history with a certificate in visual arts, photography, and sculpture — so my plan was to reject my family’s mantra of becoming a doctor. However, in my Sophomore year, I found a flyer on the wall that said “Humanities and Medicine.” The flyer was for a new program in New York City for history, art history or english majors to gain entry into Mount Sinai’s medical school upon graduation. The woman who started the program had the idea that people who were in liberal arts majors would make more “humane” doctors. The program allowed for ten spots and you didn’t have to take the MCAT if you were admitted. I applied to it on a whim and I got in! Once I received that news, it cleared up college for me. I felt like I could focus on the things I loved, like photography and history, without having to worry about my post-graduation plans. I was able to enjoy my college experience, doing things I’d would never have been able to do if I was on a hardcore premed track.
When graduation came around, all of my friends were moving to New York for consulting and bank jobs and I wanted to move there too. I realized I had this great opportunity in my back pocket to go to Mount Sinai Medical School. Even when I made the decision to go, I still didn’t believe that I was on the path to become a physician. I thought I could use a medical school degree for something else, like research or consulting. What I did know was that I loved beauty. I loved doing everyone’s nails and getting my friends ready for house parties. My dream job was to have my own salon or spa.
My mindset changed pretty quickly in medical school as I became fascinated with the skin — I realized it was my calling after all. I loved helping people feel better about themselves. Medical school was not easy for me as I didn’t have the biochemistry, biology, or pharmacology background like others did. One moment that really helped me decide if I wanted to stick with it was when I was in my residency and working in the burn unit. A suicidal patient lit himself on fire and 95% of his total body surface area was burned off and we were keeping him alive. I realized that if I can help someone like that get through it then this is where I should be.
I did a year of internal medicine training and then matched in dermatology at Mount Sinai where I became Chief Resident. While I was in residency, Dr. Patricia Wexler, who is the queen of cosmetic dermatology, hired me. I was still in my residency at the time (and was six months pregnant), but I knew that I wanted to learn from her. She’s a brilliant woman and she taught me so much about New York City women and the beauty world.
At this time, Allure had just come out and everyone was talking about skincare. Also, Bliss had just launched. I loved going to Bliss and seeing how Marcia Kilgore curated products. I knew I could do that for my patients too. I wanted to help them find the best items for their skin and their budget.
Building a Private Practice
I worked for Patricia for five years and then worked with a few others before opening up my own practice. I got a California medical license, too, so that I could see patients and consult in LA. I wanted my practice to be like a home, not a doctor’s office. I had my dear friend decorate it. We have champagne, all different herbal teas, and lots of healthy snacks, like RX bars, gluten-free muffins, kombucha, and fresh pressed juices. My team and I want coming to our office to be an experience for our patients. We host wellness events with speakers.
One of my favorites events is our Galentine’s event (for Valentine’s Day). At events like these, we’ll offer laser treatments or mini facials. For Galentine’s, we had our hydrafacial and cool lift offering quick treatments to brighten and tighten the skin. Patients and friends left with a luminous glow and goodie bags of my favorite finds from CBD gummies to lip plumpers. Our events are really a lovely way for women to connect over the things they love. I’ve definitely become like a medical concierge for my patients.
My patients become my family. Patients cry with tears of happiness in my office because I have given them hope.
I think I’m part dermatologist, psychiatrist, friend, and confidant. This is their safe spot. I really feel invested in their lives, but it’s also a two-way street. I’ve gotten as much from them as they’ve given to me!
All my patients have my cell phone number so they can reach me whenever they need me. Recently while I was on vacation abroad, I got an urgent text from one of my patients that her seventeen-year-old had fallen in Spain and cut all the tendons in her left hand. Immediately I was on it. I connected them with a hand surgeon here to perform her surgery as soon as she landed back home. Connections like these with my patients make me feel like I’ve become a small town doctor in this big city.
Innovations for Menopausal Women
Half of a woman’s life is spent in menopause. Menopause can mean different things for each woman from weight gain to hair loss to depression. I love being able to empower this group of women with beauty hacks to make them feel better. I’ve been doing a lot of research on this over the past few years so that I can incorporate it into my practice. I’ve brought on a nutritionist, utilize CoolSculpting, and recommend Nutrafol for hair growth. Dermatology is my base but I’ve really gone back to my roots in many ways by treating the whole person.
CoolSculpting is the concept of freezing fat cells. I love that there are a variety of things being developed to dissolve cellulite. It’s empowering because you can do 80 pilates classes a week, but genetically have a stubborn area of fat. With CoolSculpting, I’m able to give my patients a tool that can help. My nutritionist is always involved in the process to be sure my patients are on track.
Latest Venture
I love doing beauty consulting work to help companies develop great products that work. I worked for L’Oreal for many years, but now I’ve been helping an organic, vegan company called Derma E in Malibu. My two teenage daughters, Grace and Olivia, really inspired me to get involved in this brand. I believe the generation below me, millennials, and beyond are looking for skincare products that don’t have chemicals and parabens in them. I really want to be able to help the next generation find products that are natural and that work for them.
Lightning Round
One thing I wish more people knew…you catch more flies with honey!
Summer skincare tips…pick out a pair of sunglasses and a hat that you love. Sunscreen only lasts an hour, so having a lot of protection is key!
Everybody needs some pampering, fresh flowers, and a glass of rosé champagne sometimes.
Favorites
NYC museum/ exhibit: My girls and I have a Mother’s Day ritual to go and see the Met’s new costume exhibit. My favorite was definitely Heavenly Bodies.
Photographer: My office is full of black and white images of women from Jackie Kennedy to Cindy Crawford to Grace Kelly. My favorite photographers are those who capture the female form: Bert Stern, Steven Meisel, Nan Goldin, Diane Arbus, Sallie Mann, and Annie Leibovitz.
Travel spot: Italy — Capri for the summer!
You can learn more about Dr. Gervaise Gerstner here.
Know a great female doctor in NYC? We’d love to meet her, introduce us here!
