We had the good fortune of connecting with ANNA CHACON and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ANNA, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own practice because I wanted the autonomy to build a patient-centered dermatology model that truly reflects my values. In larger systems, there are often constraints around time, flexibility, and innovation. I wanted to create an environment where patients feel heard, appointments are thorough, and care plans are individualized rather than standardized.

Another major factor was access. South Florida is incredibly diverse, and I saw an opportunity to provide culturally competent dermatologic care across a wide range of skin types and conditions. By building my own practice, I could intentionally design services that address both complex medical dermatology and aesthetic concerns in a comprehensive way.

Entrepreneurship also allowed me to integrate teledermatology, public health collaboration, and educational outreach more seamlessly. I’ve always had interests beyond traditional clinic walls—whether that’s research, writing, mentoring, or contributing to federal health initiatives—and owning my business gives me the flexibility to pursue those avenues while maintaining high clinical standards.

Ultimately, the decision was about impact. I wanted to combine clinical excellence, innovation, and independence to create a practice that serves patients thoughtfully while also contributing to the broader dermatology community.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ANNA CHACON MD PA was built with intention. From the beginning, I wanted to create a practice that blends high-level medical dermatology with thoughtful, evidence-based aesthetic care in a way that feels personalized rather than transactional. What sets us apart is that we treat the whole patient—whether someone is coming in for complex autoimmune skin disease, skin cancer screening, hair loss, or cosmetic concerns, the standard of care and attention is the same.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our commitment to inclusivity. South Florida is incredibly diverse, and dermatology has not always fully addressed the needs of all skin types. I’ve made it a priority to ensure our practice is culturally competent and experienced in treating a wide spectrum of skin tones and conditions. Representation and understanding matter in medicine.

Business-wise, the journey was not easy. Medicine prepares you to diagnose and treat—but it doesn’t necessarily prepare you to run a company. There were challenges with logistics, staffing, operations, marketing, and simply learning how to think like an entrepreneur while still practicing as a physician. Early on, I had to become comfortable with uncertainty and risk. I overcame those challenges by staying adaptable, seeking mentorship from other physician-entrepreneurs, and committing to continuous learning. I treated building the practice the same way I treat patient care: thoughtfully, methodically, and with long-term vision.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity is a competitive advantage. Patients are incredibly perceptive. When your brand genuinely reflects your values—clinical excellence, ethics, education, and innovation—it resonates. I’ve also learned that resilience is everything. There will always be setbacks, but consistency and integrity compound over time.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s built on substance. While aesthetics is part of what we do, the foundation is strong medical dermatology, scientific rigor, and patient trust. I care deeply about education, public health, and expanding access to care through teledermatology and outreach. My story isn’t just about building a business—it’s about building something sustainable, impactful, and aligned with who I am as both a physician and a leader.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question because Miami is such an experience — it’s not just a city, it’s a mood.

Here’s how I’d plan a perfect week in and around Coral Gables and Miami:

Day 1: Coral Gables Charm

We’d start close to home. Breakfast at Bachour for incredible pastries and Cuban coffee. Then a walk through the historic streets of Coral Gables, stopping at the Venetian Pool for a swim or just to admire the architecture. Dinner at Luca Osteria — intimate, elevated Italian, and consistently amazing.

Day 2: Miami Beach Energy

Morning walk along South Pointe Park followed by brunch at Pura Vida. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach. In the evening, sunset drinks at The Setai or Faena, then dinner at Carbone or Mila for that quintessential Miami scene — glamorous but fun.

Day 3: Art & Culture

Explore Wynwood Walls and the local galleries. Lunch at KYU or Coyo Taco. In the Design District, we’d browse art installations and high-end boutiques. Dinner at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for a true culinary experience. Miami’s creative energy really shines in these neighborhoods.

Day 4: Little Havana & Local Flavor

Coffee at Versailles, walk down Calle Ocho, maybe catch live music during the day. Lunch at Doce Provisions for modern Cuban cuisine. This day would be about culture, history, and community — Miami’s roots.

Day 5: Nature Escape

A drive down to the Florida Keys or a boat day in Biscayne Bay. Alternatively, Everglades National Park for an airboat ride and wildlife experience. Miami isn’t just nightlife — the natural beauty here is underrated.

Day 6: Wellness & Slow Living

Pilates or yoga in Coconut Grove, brunch at Greenstreet Café, then shopping and walking around the Grove’s waterfront parks. Coconut Grove has a laid-back, bohemian feel that contrasts nicely with Miami Beach.

Day 7: Celebration Night

We’d end the trip with something memorable — sunset at Juvia rooftop, dinner at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, and maybe live music or dancing in Brickell. Miami knows how to celebrate life.

What makes Miami special to me is the diversity — culturally, artistically, and entrepreneurially. It’s a city of visionaries, creatives, immigrants, innovators. The food scene is global. The art scene is bold. The people are ambitious and expressive.

If my best friend left saying, “That was vibrant, inspiring, and full of life,” then I’d know I did my job.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I love this question because none of us build anything alone.

First and foremost, I dedicate my shoutout to my family. Their encouragement, resilience, and belief in me gave me the foundation to pursue medicine and eventually entrepreneurship. The journey through medical school, residency, and building a practice requires emotional stamina, and having people who consistently supported my vision made all the difference.

I also want to recognize my mentors—especially the physicians who trained me during residency. They modeled not only clinical excellence but also integrity, compassion, and lifelong learning. Watching how they navigated complex cases, difficult conversations, and leadership roles helped shape the kind of physician I strive to be.

The American Academy of Dermatology and the broader dermatology community deserve credit as well. Professional organizations provided education, networking, leadership opportunities, and a platform to grow beyond clinical work. Being surrounded by driven, ethical, and innovative colleagues pushes you to elevate your own standards.

Finally, I would acknowledge my patients. They trust me with their health, their confidence, and sometimes very vulnerable parts of their lives. Their stories, challenges, and successes continually inspire me to improve and expand what I do.

Success is rarely an individual achievement—it’s built on mentorship, support systems, and community. I’m deeply grateful for all of them.

Website: https://drannachacon.com/

Instagram: @miamiderm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104678944/admin/dashboard/

Twitter: https://x.com/DrMiamiDerm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamiderm/

Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/uzIVOeZ7uXICecfUywEpeQ

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@miamiderm

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannachaconmd

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.