About doctor
Dr. Matt L. Leavitt, DO, FAOCD
Chairman Department of Dermatology
Biography
Matt Leavitt, DO, FAAD is the Founder and current Executive Chairman of the board at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, where he held the position of CEO for over twenty years. Dr. Leavitt is a board-certified dermatologist and an expert in hair restoration and loss, recognized worldwide as a leading physician, surgeon, educator, clinical researcher, lecturer, author, and philanthropist. He has been instrumental in the establishment of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, which now has more than 160 offices nationwide. The practice's research division has conducted studies for major pharmaceutical companies, concentrating on skin cancer, melanoma, and various products related to hair loss and dermatology.
Furthermore, Dr. Leavitt is the Founder and CEO of Medical Hair Restoration (MHR), the second-largest hair transplant group in the nation, which merged with Bosley to create the largest surgical hair restoration practice in the United States, where he serves as Executive Medical Advisor. Moreover, he is the Founder and Chairman of the largest fellowship focused on hair surgery and hair loss in the country. He is also the founder and CEO of Leavitt Healthcare Advisors (LHA), playing a crucial role in the growth and sale of prominent physician groups, including Nvision (ophthalmology), Orlando ENT, and Symphony (interventional pain and spine). Most recently, Dr. Leavitt was on the Board of Directors and facilitated a transaction for Dermsquared, the leading solutions platform for dermatology clinicians aimed at enhancing patient care. Additionally, Dr. Leavitt is the Co-Founder and CEO of Xtresse’, a leading brand in regenerative hair loss solutions. Xtresse’ is a wellness and nutraceutical line aimed at improving scalp health and addressing stress-related hair loss.
He has served as the President of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) and is a founding member of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, where he held the position of the first Vice President. Additionally, he is one of the founding members and currently holds the role of President at the Hair Foundation additionally founding member and past president. Dr. Leavitt has also past chapter president for the Central and Northeast Florida Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and has been a member of the National Board of Trustees for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. He is associated with the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (Founder), International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons (board member) the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (Past President).
His entrepreneurial activities have encompassed healthcare services, research, and education, where he has significantly contributed to the scaling of clinically focused business models and the promotion of physician innovation in dermatology and aesthetics. Dr. Leavitt has founded and led several companies and initiatives, including Advanced Wound Care, Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Center Holdings, and through these efforts, he has played a vital role in advancing clinical research, enhancing patient access, and fostering the integration of innovation across the dermatological care continuum.
Dr. Leavitt serves as the Founder and Chairman of the KCU-GME/ADCS Orlando Dermatology Residency Program, where he has also established a fellowship program for physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
He holds the title of Clinical Assistant Professor in Dermatology at both the University of Central Florida and Kansas City University. Dr. Leavitt has received numerous grants and accolades, including the prestigious Golden Follicle Award from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. He has been prominently featured as the cover story in The Dermatologist and has contributed extensively to journals on dermatology, hair, and cosmetic dermatology, along with writing chapters for textbooks and delivering presentations related to debilitating GI issues for Crohn’s and Colitis. In 2022, he was acknowledged in Newsweek Magazine’s list of the 150 Best Medical Dermatologists in the United States.
Professional Organizations/Memberships
American Academy of Dermatology
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) - Former President
- North American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and Restorative Surgery - Former Advisor and Trustee
- American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery - a Founder and Former Vice President
- World Hair Society - Founder
- Hair Foundation - a Founder and Current President
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery - Elected Past Board of Governors, Chairman and Committee Chair of Orlando Live Surgery Workshop
Achievements/Research/Honors/Awards
- ADCS - Founder of Largest Dermatology practice in US
- Orlando Live Surgery Workshop (hair)-Founder/Chairman 19 yrs- International forum
- ISHRS Golden Follicle - Prestigious award given by peers in hair transplantation, plus three research grants**Merck and Pharmacia: educational monographs
- Italian Society of Hair Restoration - Received Milestone Award - twice
- National Education Foundation - Chosen to train physicians nationally on use of Botox
- Erbium CO2 Laser - Selected to research and evaluate use in hair transplantation
- Pioneered “zipper closure and crosshatching” techniques used in hair transplantation and invented numerous surgical instruments
- Connetics - developer of dermatology medication - Former Clinical Advisor **Association for Corporate Growth - Outstanding Corporate Business Award
- Florida Medical Business Journal - Recipient Physician Business Leadership Award; chose Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery “Best Dermatology Practice”
- Florida Business Week- Honored ADCS several times: patient care and management
- Lexington International- HairMax LaserComb - Special Consultant
- Merck Pharmaceutical Original study for hair-growth drug Propecia
- Pfizer (now Johnson and Johnson) - Former Advisory Board Member
- Abbott and Allergan - Member Advisory Boards and national speaker: dermatology
- ADCS Research Division for pharmaceutical trials and testing - Founder
Lectures/Presentations
- American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Hair Loss Council
- Premier Hair Show
- European Cosmetic Surgeons
- Masters Teaching Workshop, Mexico
- European Society of Hair Restoration
- Orlando Live Surgery Workshop
- American Association of Anti-Aging **ISHRS
- Multi-Specialty Foundation for Facial Aesthetic Surgical Excellence
- AOCD
Publishing
- Edited special editions of the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery (3 times)
- “Corrective Hair Surgery” chapter for the medical textbook Hair Restoration 1st edition and “Follicle Facts” for the 4th edition
- “Scalp Anatomy” and “The Consultation Process” for Hair Transplantation 4th edition
- Hair Transplantation textbook 5th edition three chapters
- Lasers and Non-Surgical Rejuvenation textbook: “Low-Level Laser Therapy” chapter
- Authored: Women and Hair Loss: A Physician’s Perspective, for consumers and referenced as a source in medical books - Reviewed by Richard Simmons
- Authored: Children and Hair Loss: A Physician’s Perspective (2013), for consumers
Professor/Teaching
- Clinical Assistant Professor in Dermatology: University of Central Florida, University of Florida and NOVA Southeastern University where he is a preceptor for the Physician Assistant Program
- Speaker: Dermatology Grand Rounds, UF and FL Society Derm Physician Assistants
Media
- Interviewed by Forbes, Men’s Vogue, Parents Magazine, International Herald Tribune, MD News, Cosmetic Surgery Times, 20/20, WGN, New Beauty, MuscleMag, WMMO, Healthy Aging, NBC iVillage, Men’s Health, Orlando Business Journal, USA Today, LA Times, Dallas Morning News, VIVA! Magazine for Hispanic Women
- Appeared: America’s Health Network*CBS “The Early Show”*The Learning Channel
Humanitarian/Charity
- Sponsor Ronald McDonald House & Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCFA)
- Annual golf tournament, Orlando (7 times)
- CCFA Chair of Take Steps, Orlando
- National Board Member CCFA
Education
- Graduate: University of Michigan and Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Residency: Ohio University Grandview Medical Center