Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina is a full-service dermatology practice dedicated to providing comprehensive skin care, including general medical dermatology, skin cancer surgery, MOHS Surgery for complicated skin cancers in cosmetically challenging locations, as well as cosmetic services.
Dr. James M. Polo
Dr. James Polo graduated from the United States Naval Academy and attended the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, earning a Doctorate of Medicine. He completed his Dermatology Residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California. He was stationed as a dermatologist at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune for seven years. During that time, he served as Chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Specialty Advisor to the Navy Surgeon General. Dr. Polo is Board Certified in Dermatology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a member and Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Dr. Sean J. Murphy
Dr. Sean Murphy graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 and earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. He completed his Dermatology Residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to joining Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, he was Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. Dr. Murphy is Board Certified in Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a member of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and the North Carolina Dermatology Association.
Dr. Scott McClellan
Dr. Scott McClellan is the primary provider for our Kinston office. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 and The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He completed his Dermatology Residency at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California and Dermatopathology Fellowship at University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. McClellan is Board Certified in Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Lauren Cowell, Certified Nurse Practitioner
Lauren is a Certified Nurse Practitioner who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis, Missouri with her Master of Science in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree. Prior to her nursing career, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Methodist University in 2008, where she played collegiate volleyball. Lauren worked in histology and cytology at Duke University Hospital before earning her Bachelor of Nursing from UNC Wilmington in 2013. As a nurse, she worked in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Operating Room. In 2021, Lauren joined Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, as our very first Nurse Practitioner. She is an active member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners Association.
Lauren Thomas, Certified Physician Assistant
Lauren is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from North Carolina State University and Jefferson College of Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Lauren has worked in emergency medicine before joining the Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina team in 2016. Lauren is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants.
Catherine Pollard, Certified Physician Assistant
Catherine Pollard, our Certified Physician Assistant, graduated summa cum laude from Sewane: The University of the South in 2006 and then received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama Birmingham Surgical Physician’s Assistant Program in 2009. She joined our practice in 2010 and provides care to all of our patients in the New Bern, Kinston, Jacksonville and Morehead City offices of Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Jamie L. Jones, Certified Physician Assistant
Jamie is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Jamie obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. She is an active member of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, American Academy of Physician Assistants and Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Prior to joining Dermatology Associates in 2019, Jamie worked in Lumberton and Wilmington, NC specializing in cosmetic and general dermatology. Jamie is a native of the New Bern, NC area who looks forward to providing exceptional patient care in our New Bern and Kinston offices.
Kayla Hess, Certified Physician Assistant
Kayla Hess was born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate bachelor's degree in Biology and Food Science Nutrition with a Chemistry minor from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2018. Her Master's of Physician Assistant Science was earned at Seton Hill University in 2021. She has experience in Internal Medicine, Acute-Care, and Dermatology. She has comprehensive clinical experience and is proficient in procedural skills, diagnostics, and medical therapies. She was brought to the south by her love for a coastal atmosphere. Outside of the office, you can find her exploring the outdoors, enjoying activities that include her dog, practicing a healthy lifestyle, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Kimberly Cowart, Certified Physician Assistant
Kimberly graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, and her Doctor of Medical Science degree from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining Dermatology Associates of Coastal Carolina, Kimberly practiced in the Atlanta area where she specialized in surgical and general dermatology. She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.
Danielle Hunt, Certified Physician Assistant
Danielle is a Certified Physician Assistant who graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. In 2014, she received her Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree from Campbell University. Prior to joining our practice, Danielle worked in urgent care and emergency medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants and has joined the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Danielle primarily serves our patients out of the Kinston office.
Andrea Villareal, Certified Physician Assistant
Andrea is a Certified Physician Assistant with 20 plus years of experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology.
She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1998 before completing the Physician Assistant Program at East Carolina University in 2001. She is dedicated to treating all ages and all skin types and helping her patients look and feel their best! Andrea is a native of North Carolina and currently lives in Wilmington with her husband Roney. She has one son and four step children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, photography and traveling. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Andrea is accepting new patients at our Jacksonville office and looks forward to providing her patients with superior care for all of their skin care needs.
Justin Loucks, Certified Physician Assistant
Justin is a Certified Physician Assistant and earned a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at East Carolina University. Prior to his focus in dermatology, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and the American Association of Physician Assistants, as well as a DermCare Team Member of the American Academy of Dermatology.