We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joseph Kamel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joseph below.

Hi Joseph, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents were far from perfect, but one thing they absolutely nailed was agape, a deep and nonjudgmental form of unconditional love. No matter how I acted, even if I dismissed them or treated them poorly, they stayed fully committed to my well-being. I remember a time when I was so focused on my studies, then suddenly I just stopped caring. Life hit me hard. A lot of my friends would say I had basically given up on life and on ever becoming a productive member of society. But instead of comparing me to others or showing disappointment, my parents never wavered. They kept loving me, without conditions, and made sure I knew it. I never once felt pressure from them to become a doctor or live up to some specific expectation. They led by example, and as I have grown, I see how much of that love I now extend to the people around me, my family, my hobbies, my career, and even my patients. Everyone deserves to experience this kind of love, though sadly, not everyone does. For those who have not, I think one of the greatest goals in life is to seek out or create spaces where that kind of affection can exist.

Joseph, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My path to dermatology begins with the letter “p.” At age ten, I was diagnosed with psoriasis. Between classmates calling my plaques “barnacles” and me explaining to strangers that I was not contagious, I learned early on that I had to understand chronic skin conditions inside and out. As I went through my medical training, I became deeply invested in solving chronic disease and helping people restore their confidence. Many skin disorders go far beyond the surface. They affect how we live day to day, how we see ourselves, and how others see us. I wanted to be part of that journey, not only to treat the disease but also to care for the person as a whole. That was what I sought for myself when I was younger. This led me to start Aliso Dermatology, a private practice focused on providing the highest level of dermatologic care and helping patients regain confidence in their skin and in themselves.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn in my business endeavors is something that was drilled into me during medical training: compulsive excellence. That mindset helped me perfect my abilities as a dermatologist by constantly holding myself to a very high standard. In medical practice, this is invaluable because it ensures patients receive the best care and are well taken care of. The tradeoff, though, is the time it consumes and the way it can hold back progress. I have learned this the hard way in business. For example, with a software platform I wanted to use for a telehealth side project, I spent so much time and effort having a lawyer go through the contract that by the time we were done, the opportunity had already passed. The boat sailed, and the truth is my level of review was unnecessary. Sometimes in business, you just have to let things go.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Marketing is hard. These days you will see ads everywhere promising to grow your practice by a certain number if you just sign up with them. It sounds amazing, right? Pay someone, they bring in clients, and you do not have to worry about anything else. The truth is different. You have to pour real love and effort into building your brand and earning trust. Especially in healthcare, the chances of convincing someone to choose your clinic with a social media ad alone are slim. People will only trust you with their health if they feel a genuine connection or get referred by someone they already trust. That is why I believe the best marketing will always be word of mouth, backed by delivering the best possible care. When you serve people well, the service speaks for itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alisodermatology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisodermatology/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580197978505
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aliso-dermatology-aliso-viejo