Can you please tell us a bit about yourself personally?
Dr. Hanna Kim: My husband Howard and I have twin daughters Emma and Isabel (age 17), and a son Luke (age 13). We live in Bronxville, NY with our six-year-old Coton de Tulear, Oliver.
Dr. Susun Michaels: My husband Brent and I have 3 beautiful daughters (Sadie -9, Sophia – 16, and Lauren -19). When I am not at work, I’m an avid runner. I’ve run in the London, Chicago, NYC Marathons and in April I will be running the Boston Marathon. I am always training for the next great race! I am equally as involved with tennis. Participating in our local adult tennis league has been a joy and I’ve been able to make lifelong friendships that I cherish.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: I am a Cuban-American, Miami, Florida native. After receiving my undergrad B.S.N. at the University of Michigan in 2014 I moved to NYC where I primarily worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Interventional Radiology and the Intensive Care Unit. I decided to pursue my doctoral degree at Columbia University, focusing my studies and research in dermatology. My passion for dermatology led me to Connecticut Dermatology Group where I was trained by Dr. Steven Kolenik. Connecticut Dermatology Group eventually became part of Schweiger Dermatology Group, and I have been happily taking care of patients there ever since! During my time in NYC, I married a fellow wolverine and Greenwich native, Dr. Sean Sutton of Greenwich Dentistry. We have since welcomed our two beautiful children: Cici (age 2) and Beau (10 months).
Where do you live in Greenwich and what do you love about Greenwich?
Dr. Susun Michaels: We live in the Mid-Country area of Greenwich. This past year we made the move from Las Vegas to Greenwich so that my youngest daughter Sadie could attend the Eagle Hill School. It’s been the best decision of our lives as I can already see the difference the school is making in her academic progress. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. Life in Greenwich has been ideal for our family. The warmth and familiarity of seeing people walking their dogs, running, and strolling along the Avenue with their kids really makes us feel a part of a true community. Greenwich has a small town feel without being too small. Its proximity to NYC cannot be beat. Whether it’s a date night or a family outing, hopping on the train to explore the city never gets old for us.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: My husband and I made the move to Cos Cob in 2020, and we have enjoyed every minute of it! My husband was born and raised in Riverside, and he works with his father, Dr. Mark Sutton at Greenwich Dentistry in Cos Cob. His love for his hometown and family business is what brought us out here, but the people and offerings is what has kept us here. Having moved from NYC, living in Cos Cob has afforded us an easy transition to suburban living. We love to walk to the local restaurants, shops, and parks; and have found our neighbors to be so friendly and welcoming.
Please tell us about Schweiger Dermatology Group and what makes it unique?
Dr. Susun Michaels: Schweiger Dermatology Group is one of the largest dermatology practices in the Northeast regions spanning multiple states. We have locations in Greenwich, Milford, New London, Norwalk and Stamford. With so many locations, patients are often able to get same day if not next day appointments.
Dr. Hanna Kim: Schweiger Dermatology Group is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive dermatology care to the New York/Tri-state area. Our Greenwich office has such caring, dedicated staff members who treat patients like their own family.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: I think what makes Schweiger Dermatology Group, specifically our southern CT offices, unique is that we started off as Connecticut Dermatology Group. We have long term roots in Connecticut and bring the familiarity of local providers with the support of Schweiger’s commitment to excellence as the nation’s top dermatology group.
Why did you decide to go into dermatology? What is your professional background?
Dr. Susun Michaels: At Schweiger Dermatology Group, I currently work at the Greenwich office. As a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon, I have 14 years of experience practicing medical and surgical dermatology. Mohs micrographic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to treat skin cancer while preserving healthy skin. Over the years, teaching has been a rewarding way for me to give back to the medical community. In this regard, I served as the clinical preceptor for Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as faculty supervisor of dermatology for the family medicine residency program at Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. Hanna Kim: When I was a medical student at Yale, I was inspired by the amazing dermatology faculty, and in particular my mentor, Dr. Peter Heald. Throughout my dermatology training and career, I have been very fortunate to have been taught by some of the most brilliant leaders in our field.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: Coming from a nursing background, my focus has always been approaching patients with compassion and treating them holistically. Dermatology provides an arena for me to help patients look and feel their best, utilizing the most cutting edge medical, surgical and cosmetic treatments to do so.
What is your #1 tip for moms when it comes to caring for their skin when they are busy and on the go?
Dr. Hanna Kim: I usually keep sunglasses, a foldable hat, and a lightweight long-sleeve hoodie in my bag. They come in very handy, especially during my kids’ outdoor sports events. Of course, sunscreen daily is a must!
Dr. Susun Michaels: On busy mornings my skincare routine has to be fast and easy. Although I vary my products from time to time, I routinely reach for sunscreen (Elta MD Clear) and a Beauty Balm or Color Correction cream (Erborian CC cream). During the day when I reapply sunscreen, I will use a mineral powder sunscreen (ISDIN).
Dr. Caroline Sutton: As a mom with two young kids, I totally understand how hard it is to do self-care. Sometimes taking a shower feels like a luxury! I like to keep samples (of which we have many to give you after your office visit!) of my basic skin care items (moisturizers, sunscreen, lip balm) in my purse. That way as I am driving around town, I can make sure I am protected and can reapply as needed.
What is your favorite skincare treatment right now?
Dr. Susun Michaels: The two skincare treatments I do twice a year, is a medium depth chemical peel (ex. Vi Peel ) and microneedling. The two procedures work synergistically to achieve optimal skin rejuvenation results. Vi Peel gently exfoliates the outer layer of your skin to improve the tone and texture of skin while microneedling creates micro-channels to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of skin.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: Lately I have been such a fan of adding growth factor and peptide serums into my routine. So many patients are bothered by their contraction lines – lines around our eyes and mouth that are in constant motion (from smiling, eating, talking) and leave us looking tired with unwanted lines. With consistent use, these topical treatments can improve skin firmness, hydration, and elasticity. Think “botox in a bottle”, great for areas that aren’t necessarily a candidate for injectables or for those who are looking for an injectable alternative. My favorite topical treatments for this purpose are: Skinceuticals P-TIOX serum, Osmosis StemFactor MD Growth Factor Serum and SkinMedica TNS Advanced Serum.
What do you advise for Mom’s with teens – what is the best topical skin care routine?
Dr. Hanna Kim: Many teens have busy lives juggling school, extracurriculars, friends and family – I recommend keeping the regimen simple. A gentle cleanser, daily moisturizer with sunscreen (at least SPF 30), and a gentle moisturizer as needed are usually sufficient for most.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: Skin care does not need to be complicated! Social media apps are so fun but can also provide misinformation – popular products are not necessarily “right” for everyone and can lead to irritation, breakouts and breakdown of your skin barrier. Over the counter products are cheaper and oftentimes better for your skin. When establishing a skin care regimen for teens I recommend starting off with a once daily routine: 1) gentle cleanser 2) non-comedogenic moisturizer 3) mineral-based sunscreen. Cerave and La Roche Posay are my go-to OTC brands!
What is the best thing you can do, starting at a young age, to prevent skin cancer?
Dr. Hanna Kim: Sun protection is essential, since the vast majority of sun damage occurs during childhood. I highly recommend sun protective clothing, especially swimwear.
Dr. Susun Michaels: The best thing you can do starting at a young age is to get in the habit of applying sunscreen. Sunscreen is a nonnegotiable. During the summer, wearing bathing suites and cover ups with UPF is a lifesaver. My favorite is Coolibar as they have many options and styles for your whole family.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the past 5-10 years in the Dermatology field?
Dr. Hanna Kim: Over the past decade, there have been a number of exciting new medications that have become available for conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.
Dr. Susun Michaels: There are two areas in which I see the greatest change in the past 10 years. First, we are seeing major breakthrough medications and therapeutic options for our patients with chronic diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. This is a game changer. Secondly, I’ve seen social media driving and influencing topics in dermatology. Often it is delivered by quick entertaining clips to capture the audience’s attention. It is important more than ever to see a board-certified dermatologist so we can assure that the information that is being disseminated is accurate.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: One of the biggest changes I have seen that I am also very excited about, is the move to a more natural approach to cosmetic treatments. My goal when treating my patients is to help them feel and look their best, and part of that is making sure they continue to look like themselves.
What do you find the most challenging and most rewarding parts of being a Dermatologist?
Dr. Susun Michaels: One of the most challenging aspects of dermatology is that many skin conditions are not “curable” but instead “treatable”. There is not a cure for acne for example, but there are ways to keep it under control and we can work to help prevent flare. But often, we cannot promise a cure. This can be frustrating for chronic skin conditions that can wax and wane. The most rewarding part of dermatology for me is really making a difference in my patients lives. This may be something more direct like detecting and removing a skin cancer. But also, it can be helping a teenager improve their acne or psoriasis which in turn can greatly impact their social wellbeing and self-esteem.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: My answers to these questions are one in the same. Each patient comes to me with their individualized concerns and goals. It is both challenging and incredibly rewarding to appropriately diagnose and treat my patients, as each case is different.
How do you balance work and being a parent?
Dr. Susun Michaels: Balancing work and home life is always a work in progress. One thing that helps is that my child’s school is 5 minutes from my office and our home is 10 minutes from both. This allows me to be actively involved in her school activities while being close to work.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: The saying “it takes a village” holds true in my household. Without the support of my husband, family and nanny, I could not find the balance that every mom works toward. I strive to be present at home with my family and at work with my patients, and having support in each setting is the only way I can accomplish that.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another parent?
Dr. Susun Michaels: The best piece of advice I’ve received in the past is that it is okay to allow children to make their own mistakes. Giving space for kids to experience error and to learn from them is so important in their future development as it fosters independence, builds resilience and leads to better decision making.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: A dear friend told me in my early post-partum days that “everything is a phase”. This reminder has helped ground me during several temper tantrums, hunger strikes and witching hours. I know one day I will be that mom who is telling a young, new mom that it all goes by so fast, and so I try to embrace the sometimes-hard times, knowing there will be a day that the phase has passed and I will miss it.
What are your favorite family activities in the Greenwich community and Fairfield County as a whole?
Dr. Susun Michaels: Our family will find any reason to be outdoors. Whether we are participating in local races or taking a walk around our neighborhood, we enjoy getting out and exploring.
Dr. Caroline Sutton: We love to spend our free time with our children and take full advantage of the outdoor beauty Greenwich offers. We love to spend time year-round at Tod’s Point (partaking in this year’s polar plunge!) and frequent all the parks with our little ones – Bruce Park Playground is my daughter’s particular favorite! Outside of work and family time, I am involved in the Kids in Crisis charity as co-chair to this year’s gala. When time allows, my husband and I also enjoy playing tennis and paddle at Innis Arden Golf Club.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Dr. Caroline Sutton: In addition to serving patients at our Greenwich office, I see patients two days a week at our Stamford location (1250 Summer St.).
We love to support local businesses. What are your fave places when you are in Greenwich to:
DR. SUSUN MICHAELS
Grab coffee: Coffee for Good
Workout: My home gym
Go on a date night: Le Penguin Bistro
Go out to dinner as a family: Patsy’s Pizzeria
Get your hair done: Paulo Lanfredi Salon
Have fun as a family: Greenwich Point Park
DR. CAROLINE SUTTON
Grab coffee: Roost Cos Cob or CFCF
Workout: Kaia Yoga Old Greenwich, Hot Phiit Cos Cob
Go on a date night: Bar seating at Polpo or Louie’s
Go out for a girls night: Juju in Old Greenwich or Happy Monkey on Greenwich Avenue
Go out to dinner as a family: Little Pub is our go to! We also love Sweet Pea’s for breakfast
Get your hair done: La Brosse in Cos Cob
Get your nails done: Posh Spa on Greenwich Avenue
Have fun as a family: Tod’s Point, Bruce Park Playground, all classes at the Cubhouse
