Dr. Jessica Garelik

Medicine has always been personal for Dr. Garelik. Throughout her childhood, she saw her father living with a chronic illness that resisted any single fix and continuously waxed and waned. It was only when he found a care team willing to combine surgery, medications, and dietary changes into one coordinated plan that he was able to regain control of his health. “Watching him go through this process had a profound impact on me,” Dr. Garelik says. “I knew I wanted to help people like my father by treating illness and restoring and maintaining their healthy state.”

She developed a keen interest in dermatology after a dermatologist evaluating her father for a rash traced it to a gluten intolerance, improving both his skin and his underlying condition. Dr. Garelik was struck by how clearly skin could reflect what was happening inside the body, and by the chance to build long-term relationships with patients and manage their care over time.

Dr. Garelik earned her Bachelor of Science in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan, and then received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Michigan State University. She completed a research fellowship in dermatopharmacology at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, followed by a second research fellowship and her dermatology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

After her training, Dr. Garelik joined the faculty at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine as an assistant professor of dermatology and assistant director of the department’s psoriasis program. There, she taught student doctors, residents, nurses, and medical assistants, and developed a formal mentorship program to help new physicians onboard into practice. “It brings me a lot of joy to be able to support the next generation of dermatologists and help them grow on their path, personally and professionally, to become excellent physicians,” Dr. Garelik says. “When physicians are supported in their practice, that helps enhance the care they’re able to give patients.”

In 2022, Dr. Garelik returned to New York and joined the faculty at NYU Grossman School of Medicine as an assistant professor of dermatology, treating patients at NYU Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital. There, she conducted research on novel treatments for psoriasis. Wanting to offer her patients an even broader range of treatment options, she then completed a fellowship in dermatologic laser surgery and aesthetic dermatology at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Garelik is passionate about providing comprehensive care, treating conditions across the spectrum of dermatology including sun damage, skin cancer, acne, rosacea, melasma, and psoriasis, and helping patients address the effects of aging to enable them to look and feel their best. She has a special interest in the intersection of longevity science and dermatology, and incorporates evidence-based hormonal and metabolic therapies including GLP-1 agonists and biostimulatory procedures into management plans to mitigate inflammation and maximize skin and overall health.

With each new patient, Dr. Garelik begins by developing a full understanding of their history, lifestyle, and goals, and then crafts a preventive treatment plan that will help them stay healthy over time. “I like to partner with my patients so we can find a way for them to incorporate treatment recommendations, for instance, sun-protective measures, that fit into their lives and help them achieve healthy, radiant skin,” Dr. Garelik says.

A lifelong learner, Dr. Garelik has continued to conduct research and read widely so she can incorporate the latest medical advances into her practice. She is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She has authored peer-reviewed journal articles and presented her research at national dermatology conferences.

She appreciates the cutting-edge technology available at Atria, and enjoys sharing with patients how tools such as the Vectra WB360 can help track changes in moles over time and keep their skin healthy. “Atria is a really special place," Dr. Garelik says. "Our science-driven, patient-centered care empowers people to take ownership of their health—not just to treat illness, but to optimize their healthspan and maximize their quality of life.”

Dr. Garelik lives in Manhattan, and in her spare time, she enjoys creating mixed media art, ceramics, and photography. A food and fitness enthusiast, she also loves to cook and spend time with her family and friends.