Afsaneh Alavi, M.D.

  1. Dermatologist

Departments

  1. طب الأمراض الجلدية

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

EnglishPersian

Afsaneh Alavi, M.D., is a Professor of Dermatology in Rochester, Minnesota, with a special interest in inflammatory disorders including psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).

Her clinical focus includes:

  • Management of neutrophilic inflammatory disorders
  • Sever cutaneous adverse drug reactions
  • Management of chronic wounds, with concentration on inflammatory wounds

In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. Alavi is active in research and education to provide mentorship to residents and fellows. Her research interests include wound healing, HS, and complex medical dermatology. Dr. Alavi has been Principal Investigator on more than 50 clinical trials and multiple translational research projects. She has authored multiple book chapters and continues to publish in high-impact scientific journals.

Dr. Alavi completed her dermatology residency both in Iran (1997) and Canada (2011) and completed a two-year fellowship in Wound Healing and a Master of Science in Community Health at the University of Toronto. She has received multiple awards for her care and education, including the Practitioner of the Year Award from the Canadian Dermatology Association in 2017, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Award from the HS Foundation in 2019, and the Supervisor of the Year award from Department of Dermatology at Mayo Clinic in 2022.

  1. Drug eruption
  2. Hidradenitis suppurativa
  3. Neutrophilic dermatoses
  4. Psoriasis
  5. Pyoderma gangrenosum
Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota
  1. 2013
    MSc - Community Health - Wound Healing and Preventative CareUniversity of Toronto
  2. 2011
    ResidencyDepartment of Medicine, Dermatology, University of Toronto
  3. 2007
    Fellow - Wound HealingDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto
  4. 1997
    Residency - DermatologyKerman University of Medical Sciences
  5. 1988
    MD - DermatologyKerman University of Medical Sciences

Certifications

  1. 2011
    DermatologyRoyal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada

Awards and honors

  1. 2021
    Supervisor of the year award Mayo Clinic
  2. 2018
    President's CupCanadian Dermatology Association
  3. 2017
    Practitioner of the YearCanadian Dermatology Association
  4. 2010
    Mentorship Award-University of Miami ( Mentor: Dr Robert Kirsner)Women's Dermatologic Society
  5. 2010
    Best Oral Plenary Presentation by a Resident/Fellow AwardCanadian Dermatology Association
  6. 2010
    Best Resident Research AwardDivision of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
  7. 2010
    Colin A Ramsay Resident Teacher AwardDivision of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
  8. 2009
    Best Poster Presentation by a Resident/Fellow AwardCanadian Dermatology Association

Professional memberships

  1. 2025
    Co-Director2025 Wound Symposium
  2. 2023 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Pharmaceutical Formulary Subcommittee's (MCPFS)
  3. 2022 - present
    Board MemberHidradenitis Suppurativa foundation
  4. 2021 - present
    MemberHospital Committee
  5. 2021 - present
    MemberHidradenitis Suppurativa foundation
  6. 2021 - present
    MemberResearch Committee
  7. 2020 - present
    MemberMinnesota Medical Association
  8. 2018 - 2021
    ChairDerm Leadership Conference, Womens Dermatology Society
  9. 2018 - 2021
    Board MemberWomens Dermatology Society
  10. 2017 - 2019
    ChairContinental Board of North America, World Union of Wound Healing Societies; Continental Board of North America
  11. 2017 - 2019
    Co-Chair, Hidradenitis Suppuritiva Advances SymposiumCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
  12. 2016 - 2020
    Memeber - Steering CommitteeUniversity of Toronto
  13. 2016 - 2020
    Fellowship DirectorUniversity of Toronto
  14. 2016 - 2020
    Chair of EducationCanadian Dermatology Association
  15. 2016 - 2019
    Regional DirectorCanadian Dermatology Association
  16. 2016
    Chair, Hidradenitis Suppuritiva Advances SymposiumCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
  17. 2016 - present
    Chair of International AffairWorld Union of Wound Healing Society
  18. 2015 - 2016
    PresidentCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
  19. 2015 - present
    Founder and MemberCanadian Hidradenitis Suppuritiva (HS) Foundation
  20. 2011 - 2019
    MemberWounds Canada
  21. 2011 - present
    MemberRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  22. 2011 - present
    MemberSociety of Investigative Dermatology
  23. 2005 - present
    MemberCanadian Dermatology Association
  24. 2005 - present
    MemberWomens Dermatology Society
  25. 2003 - present
    MemberAmerican Academy of Dermatology
  26. 2001 - present
    MemberCanadian Medical Association