Today we’d like to introduce you to Anjali Vekaria.
Hi Anjali, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Most of my summers growing up were spent at my parents’ little Blimpie sandwich shop in south Atlanta. While I read books at a corner table of the shop and learned to roll freshly baked bread, my parents continued to push me academically to pursue my interests. We eventually were lucky enough to move to Alpharetta (when it was still mostly horse farms!), and I attended Milton High School. After graduating from UGA (Go Dawgs!) and Medical College of Georgia on scholarships, I realized I was interested in pursuing Dermatology. I completed my intern year in Birmingham, Alabama, and then left for NYC to start my Dermatology research fellowship.
I finished my research fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC where I oversaw 40+ clinical trials on skin conditions such as alopecia, eczema, and psoriasis. After my fellowship, I was fortunate enough to match into one of the largest and most well-known Dermatology programs in the country, and finished out as chief resident. After working in Queens for several years, including through the Covid pandemic, I quickly realized I wanted to move back home closer to family and friends, for quality of life, and to raise our family. Since then, I have pursued a hair fellowship to further my expertise in hair loss therapies.
Lumera Dermatology opened our doors in Fall 2024 just a couple months after our littlest family addition, and I could not have been more proud. As a new business owner, it’s been a journey learning to navigate a new medical practice while also juggling three little children at home. Most days, my lunch hour is spent picking up kids from school and hearing about the newest kindergarten project of the day. I would not have it any other way. My parents sacrificed most of their time when I was a child working at their business and trying to make ends meet. I’m grateful I have an opportunity to grow professionally while still being present for the little moments at home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When we opened, there were a lot of sleepless nights with the babies, days I brought one of the kids to work, lots of “rides” on the moving cart for my older son so we could keep setting up the office space. The amount of legos and coloring books in my office was impressive.
Then came the biggest challenge – learning the business of things. While I’ve been practicing dermatology for years now, understanding how to run a business has been a completely new endeavor for me. Somehow I made it through 14 years of schooling after high school, but I never learned how to run a business! I’ve been spending many late evenings, after the kiddies are in bed, learning new skills and also growing in spirit. I”m understanding that not everything has to be perfect. Sometimes just appreciating the season of life is more than enough.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lumera Dermatology ?
I founded Lumera Dermatology as an avenue to develop and share my professional skills in a very personalized way, to avoid some of the challenges that many physicians experience in modern corporate medicine, while still remaining closely involved with my children. I had always worked for others, for better or worse. I had toyed with the idea of opening my own practice but never felt confident enough to do so. Fast forward to October 2024, and we found out about our son, a surprise miracle, was on the way. However, I did not want to put my dreams aside nor did I want to sacrifice my family time commuting and continuing the status quo. I decided to move forward with starting the practice, as I knew it would pay off over time.
My practice and brand is a direct reflection of me. From the attention to detail with decor to the thoughtful treatment plans we generate with our patients, I can honestly say most leave our office feeling hopeful, refreshed, and improved with their health struggles. I take pride in having real conversations with my patients and contributing positively to their health journey.
At our office, we offer medical, surgical, and aesthetic dermatology care, and we have a specialization in hair loss. I myself have struggled with hair loss as I completed years of fertility treatments for my second child. Having been through many of the treatments myself, I can understand firsthand the experiences of my patients. Learning about hair loss treatments from world experts has helped me relate better to my patients than ever before.
What are your plans for the future?
Alpharetta has changed so much since I grew up here. I remember the years when there were just a few stores and mostly horse farms. It was a quieter place then. Working in NYC for so many years, I never thought I’d move back home and start my own little place right where I started. Since we moved, everyday it feels like the best place for our family, and we completely made the right decision to be here. Working in this community has been perfect for me, and I’ve never been happier. It may sound silly, but I can feel my roots here. It feels good to show my children where I went to high school, the old log cabin (across the street now!), and all my childhood memories in my parents’ old home.
We’ve been open for a little under 6 months now, and I’ve gotten so much support from the community and been able to make so many friends-–something I was lacking after so many years away. I’m proud of the progress we have made, including some upcoming local volunteer events. As I’ve watched the community change over the years, it’s nice to contribute and grow with Alpharetta. People always ask me excitedly, “Wow! How many offices are you going to open?!” I usually just respond with a “I’m happy right here–this is more than enough.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lumeradermatology.com
- Instagram: lumera.dermatology
- Facebook: Lumera Dermatology
Image Credits
Michael Cottrell/ Cottrell Photography
