We were lucky to catch up with Fiona Rahbar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Fiona, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Medicine needs a facelift, or perhaps more accurately a heart transplant. For years as physicians and as patients we have been at the behest of large hospital systems, private equity organizations, and mammoth insurance corporations. We saw an opportunity for change to improve the quality of care delivered, and we took it.

In 2025 we started Charleston’s first direct care dermatology practice. Direct care in dermatology is a modern model of healthcare where dermatologists provide services directly to patients without the involvement of intermediaries, such as insurance companies or third-party payers. This model often includes services like consultations, skin checks, minor procedures, and follow-up visits, all within a streamlined, patient-focused approach.

The benefits of direct care in dermatology include more personalized attention, reduced wait times, and price transparency. Some patients with high deductible or co-pay policies will find this to be more cost-saving. Upon request we provide a detailed bill that you can still submit to your insurance carrier. You may use your FSA/HSA accounts toward medical services.

By eliminating the complexities of insurance billing and administrative overhead, dermatologists can spend more time addressing individual patient needs and offer quicker access to care. Additionally, this model often leads to a more transparent pricing structure, giving patients clearer expectations about the cost of services and reducing barriers to care.

Of course there were barriers, and hardships, and times we questioned whether we made the right decisions. But when our patients receive great care and more importantly as a result achieve better results, we know in our hearts we have made the right choice.

Creativity drives everything we do, from the way we built our practice to how we personalize each treatment plan. No two patients are alike, and neither is each care plan. We also recognized the shortcomings in our current medical system, and built something outside the box by creating our unique boutique practice.

As healthcare becomes increasingly corporatized, we chose to step outside the trodden path. We recognized that the best care comes from collaboration between physicians and their patients, not from large corporate administrations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Dr. Rahbar is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Mara Dermatology. She completed undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at the University of Pennsylvania and Emory University and earned her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Her residency training in dermatology was with the University of Virginia, where she served as Chief Resident. Upon completion of training Dr. Rahbar gained experience in Virginia and NYC before building roots in South Carolina. After years caring for patients both in private practice and then academic medicine at the Medical University of SC, Dr. Rahbar was ready to start Mara Dermatology.

In addition to providing quality care for her patients, Dr. Rahbar has published in medical journals and spoken at dermatology conferences. Her passion lies in caring for underserved populations, having volunteered internationally in Haiti and Uganda as well as locally at the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic. Dr. Rahbar is also proficient in Spanish, which allows her a unique capability to serve the Hispanic population of the Charleston area.

In addition to conventional medicine Dr. Rahbar has a deep interest in caring for the whole patient, not just symptoms or disease. Having completed the intensive Integrative Dermatology Certificate Program, she then went on to serve as lecturer and facilitator for the same program. In her free time she loves to spend time outdoors with her friends and family, including her two daughters and dog Luna. She is a certified yoga instructor and has an interest in integrative medicine. Dr. Rahbar is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. She is also a board member of both IndeDocs and the Charleston County Medical Society.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When my business partner and I decided to leave our previous position, we had a restrictive covenant. This meant we could not legally work in the Charleston area for 18 months. In that moment we had two options – to allow ourselves to become overwhelmed with fear and panic, or lean into the opportunities. We chose the latter. We took a leap of faith by renting out our home, packing only backpacks, and left the country. For nearly 18 months we explored the world, learned Spanish and surfing, and above all reconnected with our raison d’etre. With a sprinkle of bravery and grit, we took what could have been devastating into a lifetime opportunity.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I never dreamed of owning my own medical practice. But seeing the direction medicine and healthcare in general is going we knew this was opportunity to make a change, so we had to pivot. Starting a medical practice now is more complicated than it was say 50 years ago, and it is harder for independent physicians to thrive. But we took a leap and would not go back.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maradermatology.com
• Instagram: mara.dermatology
• Linkedin: fiona rahbar