Matt Leavitt, MD
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Dr. Matt Leavitt, a Board-Certified Dermatologist, is the Founder and Medical Director of Medical Hair Restoration. He is a Founding Father of the World Hair Society and is current Chairman, as well as one of the original members of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, where he serves as Vice President. Additionally, he has served as President of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and has been a Presidential Advisor and Trustee for the North American Academy of Cosmetic and Restorative Surgery.
Dr. Leavitt is a Clinical Advisor for Merck Pharmaceutical. He has been awarded two grants to perform clinical trials detailing the influence of Propecia on hair transplants. He sits on the Advisory Board of DermFirst and is on the Board of Directors for Procyte . His group was chosen for research and development by Connectics to evaluate the use of Luxiq for reducing post-operative swelling in hair transplant patients. He sits on the Advisory Board and is contributing editor for Appearances, a magazine celebrating self-enhancement. Dr. Leavitt has lectured both nationally and internationally on hair loss in men and women for such groups as the American Hair Loss Council, Premier Hair Show, The European Cosmetic Surgeons, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Leavitt has developed and chaired the Live Surgery Workshop for the past 26 years. This was an annual event that provided live surgical training for hair restoration surgeons with a world-renowned faculty and curriculum. Dr. Leavitt has authored numerous articles for dermatology, hair and cosmetic journals and was three times selected as guest editor for a special hair restoration edition of the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. He has published a chapter in the first edition of Hair Restoration, a medical textbook and has published “Corrective Surgery” and two chapters in the Fourth Edition of Hair Restoration on “Anatomy and Histology of Hair” and “Role of the Consultant. He has been interviewed by Fores, Parents Magazine, International Herald Tribune, 20/20, WGN radio, MuscleMag, Men’s Health, Local news shows from Los Angeles to Miami, and appeared on America’s Health Network and CBS’s “The Early Show”. Dr. Leavitt also developed a line of medical instruments tailored to hair restoration surgery and is currently working on a new hair health supplement in a chewable form. Dr. Leavitt graduated from University of Michigan, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and performed his residency at Ohio University Grandview Medical Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, American Society of Dermatological Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Hair Loss Council, American Academy of Dermatology, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, and the World Hair Society. Matt L. Leavitt (born September 1959) is an American dermatologist, hair restoration specialist, writer, speaker, educator, business consultant, and entrepreneur. He is founder and chief medical officer of Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (ADCS), which is based in Florida and has more than 150 offices throughout the United States. He founded Ameriderm, which has provided billing and collections services for dermatology practices since 2009. Additionally, he founded Medical Hair Restoration, which grew into a national practice for surgical hair transplantation and merged with Bosley Medical in 2010. Dr. Leavitt now holds the office of Executive Medical Advisor with Bosley. As an entrepreneur, he is the owner of Leavitt Labs, a company that creates and markets natural hair products. He is a co-founder and chairman and president of the nonprofit Hair Foundation. He is also an educator, serving as a clinical assistant professor in dermatology for University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and NOVA Southeastern University. Early Life and Education Leavitt was born September 1959 in Grand Rapids, MI, United States to Nancy and Al Leavitt. His father, who was both a doctor and a businessman, insisted that all three of his sones, whatever vocation they chose, were to get both real-world training and formal education in business. After graduating from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1986, Leavitt interned at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, MI. He was chief dermatological resident at the Wright State University School of Medicine (now Boonshoft School of Medicine), working at Grandview and Southview Hospitals in Dayton, Ohio. He has earned certifications with The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (1987), The American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (1991), The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (1998), and The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (1999). Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery After completing his dermatology residency, Dr. Leavitt in 1989 established a solo practice in Olando, FL. Within three months, he had three small part-time offices, which together, became Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. The ADCS website states that the practice now has more than 70 locations in Florida and more than 135 throughout the U.S.: in Arizona, Nevada, California, Ohio, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, and Wyoming. According to the practice’s website, Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery specializes in complete care fo the skin, hair and nails. Its general dermatology care includes treatment of rashes, psoriasis, acne, nail conditions and hair loss. IN addition to providing skin cancer prevention information, ADCS provides diagnoses for skin cancer and performs related surgeries. The practice also offers cosmetic surgery treatments including spider and varicose vein therapy, Botox, collagen, Restylane, chemical peels, laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing, and permanent make-up. ADCS also has a research division that has undertaken numerous studies for major pharmaceutical companies. ADCS was acquired by Audax Group in 2012 Leavitt and management remain significant shareholders in ADCS. Medical Hair Restoration and Bosley Medical Leavitt founded Medical Hair Restoration in Florida in 1990. This national practice for surgical hair transplantation grew to have 77 offices and became the second largest hair restoration practice in the U.S. MHR was merged into international hair restoration group Bosley Medical in 2010. Leavitt now holds the office of Executive Medical Advisor with Bosely. The Hair Foundation Leavitt was among the team of medical professionals who founded The Hair Foundation in 2005. The foundation is a charitable, 501 ©, nonprofit organization committed to providing expert and scientific information on hair loss and overall hair health to the public through education and outreach. Its board of directors is comprised of dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, plastic surgeons, general surgeons and other hair health and hair care professionals. Leavitt is the organization’s chairman and president. Surgical Innovations Leavitt is credited with originating ‘crosshatching’, and the ‘zipper’ closure, techniques used in hair transplantation. He is also known for inventing several surgical instruments. He has received three research grants from the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and was a recipient of two educational monographs where he collaborated with a group of other physicians to develop teaching and instructive programs for doctors. Professional activities Leavitt Labs Leavitt Labs is a separate start-up business founded and owned by Leavitt that creates and markets an exclusive line of its own proprietary natural hair cleansing treatment, and restoration products. The company’s stated mission says the firm plans to research, develop and market products for hair, skin, and specialty nutrition. Pharmaceutical Company Consultant As clinical advisor for Merck Pharmaceutical, Leavitt studied the effects of the hair-growth drug Propecia on hair transplantation. He currently sits on advisory boards for Abbott Laboratories and Allergan, Inc., pharmaceutical companies specializing in dermatology products. Since 2005, he has served as a special consultant to Lexington International/Hairmax], manufacturers of the Hairmax LaserComb. He is a former member of the advisory boards of Pfizer (now Johnson & Johnson) Consumer Health and Connetic. Xtresse’ Founder and CEO Selected professional organization memberships Leavitt is a member of a host of professional groups and societies, including: The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery The American Academy of Dermatology The American Academy of Facial Plastics The American Academy for Facial, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery The American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery The American Osteopathic Association The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology The European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery The Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons The International Society of Dermatologic Surgery The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery The Dermatology Foundation – Leadership Society Works as an Educator Leavitt is a clinical assistant professor in dermatology for the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, and NOVA Southeastern University. Additionally, he is a preceptor for NOVA University’s Physician Assistant Training Program. He speaks regularly at Dermatology Grand Rounds at the University of Florida and the Florida Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. He is the founder and 18-time chairman of the Live Surgery Workshop, which trained doctors in hair transplant and cosmetic surgery and showcases new and emerging surgical techniques, procedures and patented instruments. Writer Leavitt has written articles for dermatology, hair, and cosmetic journals and has served three times as editor for special hair loss editions of the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. He published a chapter on ‘Corrective Hair Surgery’ in the first edition of the medical textbook Hair Transplantation and a chapter on ‘Follicle Facts’ in the fourth edition of the book. He also the author of three chapters in the fifth edition of Hair Transplantation and published a chapter on low-level laser therapy in the textbook, Lasers and Non-Surgical Rejuvenation. In 2004, he authored a consumer-focused book, Women and Hair Loss: A Physician’s Perspective, which featured a foreword by fitness expert Richard Simmons. Philanthropy Leavitt is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Chron’s & Colitis Foundation of America and is involved in numerous charitable events for the organization. Selected Honors • Leavitt was a finalist in the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards • He won the 2010 Association for Corporate Grown Smart Awards Orlando Business of the Year Award • He won the 2003 Physician Business Leadership Award and the 2004 Best Dermatology Practice Award from the Journal Florida Medical Business • Leavitt was awarded the 2002 International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery Golden Follicle Award • He won the European Society of Hair Restoration Surgery 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award for Live Surgery Workshop Personal life Leavitt is married and has three children and three grandchildren. The family resides in Florida. |