Physician Assistants
Nichol C. Raulerson, PA-C
Nichol Raulerson is a nationally certified Physician Assistant (PA) with over 5 years of dermatology-specific experience. After growing up in Tampa, Florida, Nichol earned her undergraduate degree from Emory University, then her master’s degree at the University of South Alabama, before returning to the Sunshine State.
Nichol performs both medical and cosmetic dermatology, including laser procedures such as tattoo removal, hair removal, treatments for sunspots and laser treatment for Vitiligo and Psoriasis.
Heather Preisser, PA-C
Heather Preisser graduated from Florida State University before going on to earn her Physician Assistant degree from the Miami Dade College School of Health Sciences.
Heather is a nationally certified PA with extensive surgical and operating room experience. Before joining Gulf Coast Dermatology in 2007, Heather served as a PA in cardiothoracic surgery. Now, Heather is trained to provide all aspects of dermatological care, with a special emphasis in skin cancer surgery and surgical reconstruction.
Heather is proud to serve patients in both general and cosmetic dermatology, and is experienced performing many cosmetic procedures, including Botox injections and laser treatments.
Patrick Nelson, PA-C
Patrick Nelson joins the team at Gulf Coast Dermatology in Dothan, Alabama, after already spending 2-years working as a certified Dermatology Physician Assistant in the Wiregrass area.
Patrick grew up not far from Dothan (50 miles west, in Kinston, Alabama) and graduated from Troy University with a Biology major before going on to the University of South Alabama’s Physician-Assistant Program. With a solid education, and plenty of practical experience already under his belt, Patrick says helping patients understand the health issues they face, and their treatment process, is one of his top priorities. That goal is only part of Patrick’s mission to provide the best care possible for his patients.
Kristi Wells, PA-C
Kristi Wells is a nationally certified Physician Assistant. Kristi graduated from Tulane University with a double major in Biology and Psychology before going on to earn her Masters from the University of Florida’s Physician Assistant Program in 2003.
Since then, Kristi has kept busy, working as a PA in a private medical practice in Okaloosa County, and in a Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Jacksonville.
Kristi plans on putting down deep roots in South Walton, where she enjoys spending time with her family, and getting outdoors (with plenty of sunscreen, of course!).
Katie Showalter, PA-C
Katie Showalter grew up in the Panhandle and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of West Florida before going on to graduate from PA school at the University of South Alabama.
Katie hold membership in several professional associations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants. She received her Board Certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and will be working with Gulf Coast Dermatology in the Niceville and Ft. Walton Beach offices.
Barry E. Newton, PA-C
Barry Newton is a nationally certified Physician Assistant who comes to Gulf Coast Dermatology’s Panama City office after completing a 20-year military career, during which time he graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and United States Air Force’s joint Physician Assistant program.
Barry has 18 years of experience working as a Physician Assistant, and has been in the Panama City area since 2003. At Gulf Coast Dermatology, his focus is general dermatology, with an emphasis in skin cancer surgery and surgical reconstruction.
Harmony Church, PA-C
Harmony Church graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, before becoming a Licensed Physician Assistant (PA) in the State of Florida, where she spent her first 6 years working at a plastic surgery office in Tallahassee, helping educate her patients prior to surgery, and performing surgical procedures.
Harmony also has experience performing laser procedures, cosmetic injections (such as Boxox, and Dysport), and fillers (such as Juvederm). Harmony’s specialty -- and goal -- is to make patents feel informed and comfortable throughout their visit, and to provide an excellent quality of care in both surgical and cosmetic procedures.