Optima Welcomes Dr. Jarell’s Extensive Experience as a Double-Board Certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist
January 2025
Abel Jarell, MD, FAAD, is bringing years of valuable medical and surgical dermatology experience to Optima’s Portsmouth, NH practice. A double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Jarell has been serving patients of all ages since 2009, specifically focusing on complex medical dermatology. He is also an active clinical trials investigator who has been directly involved in the development of the majority of the modern therapeutics currently used in dermatology.
Dr. Jarell earned his Doctor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, completing his dermatology residency in the Harvard Dermatology Residency Program where he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Jarell then completed a fellowship in dermatopathology through the dermatopathology training program at the internationally-renowned University of California in San Francisco.
Before medical school, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he earned his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and was recognized as a Distinguished Cadet (top 5% in class academically).
As part of his military obligation, Dr. Jarell served in two combat theaters. Most of his Army medical career was spent at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he was on the dermatology and dermatopathology faculty. There, he co-founded the dermatopathology fellowship program, as well as the Melanoma and Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the Murtha Cancer Center.
Caring for Patients and Their Skin
Applying his expertise to visualize a patient’s situation and make a deeper, microscopic assessment is the most important part of Dr. Jarell’s position.
His passion lies in listening closely to patients and combining microscopic assessment with their individual situation to recommend the best course of action. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Jarell and ask him a little more about what led him to become a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist.
What made you decide to pursue a career in dermatology and dermatopathology?
As a physician, the most important aspects of my job are helping patients with their dermatological problems and gauging their progress both with my own eyes and through how they perceive their resolutions. Being a dermatopathologist allows me to not only visualize a patient’s problems, but also assess them on a microscopic level.
What did the path to get to where you are look like?
My path to dermatology and dermatopathology has been a most peripatetic one—high school, to West Point, to Harvard Medical School, to neurosurgery residency, to regular Army, back to Harvard for dermatology, and finally to UCSF for a fellowship in dermatopathology.
What is your favorite aspect of being a dermatologist and dermatopathologist?
To me, the best part about being a dermatologist and a dermatopathologist is that I can combine my expertise in the clinic with what I see under the microscope to determine the best course of action for patients.
What is your approach to treating your patients?
My approach to treating patients starts with actively listening to the patient and really trying to understand their purpose for coming to see me. I believe it is important for me to get a strong sense for how much a particular skin disease affects the patient. What may be devastating to one patient may be inconsequential to another (and vice versa). I find this dichotomy in perception to the same problem quite fascinating. And the most important part of my job is to determine how best to match what I have to offer the patient with how much the patient wants—whether it be an aggressive treatment option or simply reassurance from me that the issue they are presenting to me is one that cannot cause them any physical harm.
What is your number one tip when it comes to taking care of your skin?
Good sleep and shielding from the sun’s rays are paramount.
What is one thing you want your patients to know about you?
My number one goal in medicine as a physician and professional is to help patients with their dermatological problems.
What do you like to do when you are not in the office treating patients?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. But I also cherish my time alone to read and write. It is important for me to be physically active, and I strive to remain physically fit.
Finally, I think it’s important as humans for us to not take ourselves too seriously—I very much enjoy goofing off, acting silly, and bringing a sense of humor and lightheartedness to my interactions.
Dr. Jarell and his team at Optima Dermatology offer exceptional medical and surgical dermatology services and ensure personalized, expert, and high-quality care.
He is currently accepting new patients at the Portsmouth, NH office at 215 Commerce Way, Suite 100. Request an appointment online or give us a call at 855-277-9689.