22
DR. KEVIN NASH
SOUTHERN TATLER: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE: FACES FEATURE
FACES DR. KEVIN NASH
DR. Kevin Nash Dr. Kevin Nash has only lived in Auburn since July of 2014, but to him, our lovely village already feels like home. Kevin and his wife, Nicola, shared with us the story of how they ended up here in East Alabama, and we have no question that Auburn is the perfect fit for the family of five. Kevin operates a sizeable dermatology practice in town, serving a broad patient base with an even broader set of needs. And while there’s no doubting those patients are satisfied, Kevin says his family has been just as blessed by their warm embraces. 2 S OUTHERN
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Mrs. Nicola Nash
“This community has welcomed us in a way that people who’ve never visited Auburn may struggle to understand. It’s just different here,” ask us. As a veterinary technician and researcher, Kevin
fter meeting with Kevin, we believe that
was responsible for maintaining the health and well-be-
he is a different kind of doctor, too. While
ing of the baboons in the lab. As Kevin detailed his
he believes in providing superior service and the best of his professional expertise,
experiences with the project, Nicola interjected with a
he knows that an excellent experience
chuckle: “yeah, and once he even left me for one of the
at the doctor’s office encompasses
baboons.” Nicola had caught our attention, so we asked
not only these things, but also an
her to go on. “On our third date, he got called away to
impression that the doctor cares. Kevin strives to set
the lab to take care of a sick baboon. First time I was
Nash Dermatology apart by taking the time to know
ever stood up for a baboon!” All jokes aside, it seemed
and understand his patients. We believe our commu-
that fate was bringing Kevin and Nicola together
nity should take the time to know and understand
around that time. The couple was first introduced at a dance, where
who he is as well.
Kevin gave Nicola his telephone number. Nicola claims
Kevin was raised in the rural mountain region of the Massachusetts Berkshires in a small farm town. “It
she lost it, but Kevin says he can never be completely
was the kind of town you drove through and missed
sure. Just one year later, they both spotted each other at
if you blinked,” Kevin laughed, “and yes, we did have
a jazz bar. Once again, Kevin wrote down his number
horses, chickens, pigs, and goats!” After high school,
for her. Nicola laughed, “No, no, no. He gave me all five
Kevin attended the University of Massachusetts Am-
of his numbers that night- his cell phone, his pager,
herst and earned his bachelor of science degree in Psy-
his home phone- I can’t even remember everything he
chology and Neuroscience. A researcher at heart, Kevin
gave me. I guess he wanted to make sure I called this
spent one year at UMass Medical Center in Worcester,
time.” Nicola did call, and on their first date, they both
Massachusetts before joining other fellows around the
realized that they had met the year before. “I must find
world in a laboratory at Harvard’s Massachusetts Gen-
her attractive,” chuckled Kevin. That special night was
eral Hospital. The focus of the group’s research was “pig
what secured the pair’s attachment at the hip and the
to baboon discordant xenotransplantation.” Basically,
rest is history. Over the next five years, they’d weather
they were interested in the potential for harvesting pig
the storms of life together- a long distance relationship,
organs for human transplant. Interesting stuff, if you
years of intense study and work, and changes in
5
S EP TEM BER/ OCTOBER
2017
Kevin found that UAB’s School of Medicine and
location- but these challenges made them better. Today
its National Institute of Health Medical Scientist
their relationship is just as strong.
Training Program were both indeed fantastic, and the
Rewind a bit to Kevin’s time in the research laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. At the
couple was pleased to discover that Birmingham was
conclusion of that project, Kevin pursued a Masters
filled with wonderful people and had the Southeast’s
in Anatomy at Penn State College of Medicine whereT hallmark charm, even in its bustling downtown region. i bu - Kevin continued his research in melanoma focused on he taught anatomy classes and worked as a graduate t di d researcher. While at Penn State, Kevin met his mentor, the characterization of genes which suppress the metaswho helped cement his interest in dermatology, specifi-
tasis of cancers. Kevin spent four years on the project,
cally melanomas. When that mentor announced that he
during which time he received a number of honors and
was moving his research to the University of Alabama
awards, including but not limited to numerous awards
at Birmingham, Kevin and Nicola followed. In 2002,
for outstanding oral presentations, The UTMB Can-
Kevin transferred to UAB andb fell in love with Bire mingham. He reminisced, liv “Coming from up north, I -really didn’t know what
cer Center Award in Oncology Research, The Edward S. Reynolds Investigative Pathology Award, and The
make sure that it was a place where Nicola would enjoy
American Medical Association’s award for overallwExit th h cellence in Research. e ge new In 2003, Kevin and Nicola married. In their rs, lit t neighborhood they met a couple whom they th le lovingly ey referred to as their adoptive grandparents. The two just
living, too.”
happened to be Auburn fans and encouraged Kevin and
o to expect in Alabama. I knew nUAB was a respected
school, but I knew nothing about the people in Birmingham or what the city itself was like. I wanted to
6 S OUTHERN
Nicola to “pick a side” in the age-old Auburn vs. Alakn bama rivalry. Naturally, ow Nashes had no choice but to th the ey ’d TAT L E R
side with the Tigers, but little did they know they’d be
membering Birmingham, we decided we still wanted to
living on the Plains one day.
raise our kids in the south, so we took that leap when an opportunity presented itself.” That next summer, Kevin
In 2008, Kevin graduated from UAB with his MD and PhD degrees and the couple left the south for
heard of another opening in Auburn. “Auburn was on
Michigan, with their four-year-old, Hana, and baby
our radar because of our neighbors in Birmingham,” he
girl, Bella, in tow. Kevin began a rigorous Internal
said. “We thought, ‘why not?” The Nashes visited the area
Medicine Internship at the University of Michigan. In
and realized that it might be a good fit. Their biggest
2009 he transitioned to a “2+2 Dermatology Research
concern was their children, and in their minds, the
Fellowship” at Michigan, where he continued to pursue
excellent reputation of the Auburn public school system
his interests in melanoma research while receiving his
sealed the deal. They’ve been here since then, and they
dermatology residency training at a “Top 5” dermatology
haven’t looked back. In January of this year, Kevin opened his independ-
program. Kevin’s intense general medical intern year followed by his Dermatology residency training at a large
ent practice, Nash Dermatology. Nicola works as a Pub-
referral center for the state of Michigan exposed him
lic Relations Specialist for Nash Dermatology, managing
to a variety of conditions and treatments not routinely
the practice’s social media accounts, marketing, and
encountered in most residencies. As a result, Kevin has
advertising decisions, and creating product displays and
a unique background in internal medicine, which serves
promotions, all while strengthening those genuine rela-
him in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of a sid e variety of complex skin conditions. .
tionships with patients which Kevin and Nicola believe to be the foundations of their success. “I think some-
Finally, in 2013, Kevin, Nicola, Hana, Bella, and
times when doctors open an independent practice they
Tyler (born in 2009) moved back to the Southeast when
struggle to establish a strong patient base, but we never
Kevin heard of a job opening in Macon, Georgia. “Re-
had to face that challenge,” Nicola explained. “From the
7 S EP TEM BER/ OCTOBER
2017
“
we want
ap and
people to know that we
preciate that they can
trust us
”
them
very beginning we had a wonderful response, and we even had to bring on more staff to handle the patient load.” Nash Dermatology recently brought on a Nurse Practitioner, Kaylin Garnett, who Kevin and Nicola say has been invaluable. “We are thankful for her,” Kevin said. Nash Dermatology also employs several talented nurses. Kevin said he and Nicola wanted the office environment to be a fun place where both patients and employees enjoy coming. “Every Nash Dermatology employee has a unique nickname, like Chuckles, one of the nurses whose positive attitude and upbeat personality puts patients and staff at ease. The hiring process for us was more than looking at the nurses’ and receptionists’ résumés for required skill sets. We chose people who were going to be fun to work with, placing an emphasis on selecting staff that we felt would contribute to the overall patient experience, which often includes an infusion of humor.” The Nash Dermatology office is a true reflection of the practice’s care model which is to be warm and inviting. While Dr. Nash and his staff do offer the latest in medical technologies including Mohs surgery, as well as dermoscopy for the early detection of melanoma, they also pride themselves in showing patients compassion and putting them at ease. “That starts from the moment they walk in our doors,” Kevin said.
“We have been blown away by everyone’s kindness, and we want to say ‘thank you’ for believing in us. We are lucky to be raising our children in Auburn with good people as role models.” Each May, Nash Dermatology hosts Spot Me, an
The lobby at the office looks more like a comfortable living room, and stone pillars frame the reception-
Academy of Dermatology sponsored event in which
ist’s desk. The walls are painted in soft shades of blue
patients may be scanned, free of charge, for Melanoma.
and green, and lighting is warm and low, dissipating
Kevin and Nicola constantly have eyes out for chances,
any air of sterility one might pick up on at the average
like Spot Me, to help East Alabamians’ recognize and
doctor’s office. The surgical waiting area is equipped
overcome their skin diseases. While Kevin and Nicola are most passionate about
with warm coffee and refreshments and is completely separate from the main lobby, so patients can relax if
providing their services and improving accessibility to
they need to stay in-house for a few hours. “We want
those services with dramatically shorter wait-lists for
people to know that we appreciate them and that they
first-time patients, they also donate to a number of
can trust us,” Kevin said. “A big part of the reason I like
worthy local causes including The March of Dimes, the
doing what I do is because of the patients we serve.”
annual Wine Women and Shoes event, and Dancing
Kevin added that he believes dermatology to be an
Stars of East Alabama, among others. They also support
extremely important medical discipline because of its
several local schools through ad sponsorships and the
effects on patients’ quality of life and well-being.
like. Kevin and Nicola say that the Auburn Community
“The conditions I treat can all be seen on the outside, which means that my patients can’t always hide
has enabled them to grow tremendously, and they will
their problems. My patients’ battles are often not only
do all that they can to give back. Kevin smiled, “We have been blown away by everyone’s kindness,
physical, but emotional as well. It is a common misconception that I treat only acne and warts. I do see pa-
and we want to say ‘thank you’ for believing in us. We
tients for those things, but I also help people overcome
are lucky to be raising our children in Auburn with
rosacea, skin cancers, and other severe diseases of the
good people as role models.” Kevin and Nicola are certainly devoted to their
skin. It can be life-altering for the individuals fighting these battles to experience relief. My personal goal is to
practice and enjoy working, but their number one
help as many of those people as I can.”
priority is their children. Hana, Bella, and Tyler keep
10 S OUTHERN
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them on their toes each afternoon and every weekend.
to travel as a family. On Saturday nights, they share a
Hana, 13, likes to ride horses. She has just started
meal together and enjoy a “family night.”
dressage. Whenever Mom and Dad are available, Hana
We are certainly glad that Dr. Nash and Nicola
requests that the family spends time with her horse.
made the decision to settle in the loveliest village, and
Kevin and Nicola can’t complain. Bella, 10, is the Nash
it would be an understatement to say that our commu-
family singer, performer, and event planner. She dances
nity is fortunate to have such a skilled and experienced
hip-hop at Variations Studio in Auburn, and likes to
physician at the ready. Next time you’re driving by
plan “spa days” for her parents and grandparents on
Nash Dermatology on East Glenn Avenue in Auburn,
the weekends. Tyler is 8 and likes to play soccer and
stop by to say “hello.”
sharpen his Taekwondo skills. Kevin coaches his soccer team. When the Nashes can find the time, they like
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