About Adelaide Dermatology Associates

Dr Annette Pearce (BMBS FACD GAICD) is the founder of Adelaide Dermatology Associates which opened doors at Western Hospital in April 2015. Prior to that, Dr Pearce worked at ‘Dermatology on Ward’ in North Adelaide for seven years.

Dr Pearce currently holds a VMO position in Dermatology (surgery and outpatient clinics) at the RAH which commenced in 2008. She is also a senior clinical lecturer at the Adelaide University and teaches medical students from 4th year through to 6th year in addition to her teaching roles for the dermatology registrars.

Dr Pearce’s interests include skin cancer diagnosis and surgery, as well as all other aspects of dermatology including inflammatory dermatology (acne, eczema and psoriasis), autoimmune dermatology, infective dermatology, drug eruptions (including oncology), paediatric dermatology as well as conditions of hair and nails.

Dr Christopher Ross (BMBS, DXc(BiomedSc) (Hons), FACD) is a graduate of Flinders Medical Centre, and trained in Dermatology in South Australia with experience in all major dermatology specialist units. He commenced work with Adelaide Dermatology Associates at Henley Beach in March 2016.

Dr Ross’s interests include general dermatology (eczema, acne, psoriasis, inflammatory dermatology), as well as drug eruptions, infections, paediatric dermatology, hair and nail disorders and skin cancer medicine.

Dr Ross visits multiple rural locations in South Australia such as Keith and The Northern Territory.

Dr Matthew Cho (MBBS (Hons), B. Physio, FACD) obtained his medical degree from the Flinders University Medical School, where he graduated with first class honors in 2012.  He completed internship and two years of basic physician training at Royal Adelaide Hospital prior to commencing Dermatology training in 2016.

He has extensive experience in the management of complex medical and surgical dermatological conditions through comprehensive training received from Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Royal Darwin Hospital, and in paediatric dermatology at the Women’s and Children’s hospital.   During training, he was awarded Brenan Prize by Australasian Dermatopathology Society in 2017.  A published author in multiple international peer-reviewed journals, Dr Cho is interested in all facets of adult and paediatric medical and surgical dermatology. 

Dr Charlotte Forrest (MBBS, FACD) graduated from the University of Adelaide Medical School in 2012. Prior to embarking on her Dermatology training she was a General Practice trainee and completed a year in Canada, undertaking research in the field of Dermatology. She completed Dermatology clinical observerships in Toronto, Canada and Oxford, United Kingdom before returning to Australia to commence Dermatology training in 2016.

She undertook her training in South Australia, the Northern Territory and the United Kingdom, electing to spend an additional year in the UK to complete a surgical fellowship and gain further expertise. Dr Forrest is a clinical lecturer at the university of Adelaide and has published in various journals. 

Dr Forrest enjoys all aspects of medical and surgical dermatology. Her interests include surgery, paediatric dermatology, skin cancer, indigenous health, hair, nails and inflammatory disorders.

Dr Joyce Ma (MBBS, FACD) graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2013. She completed her Basic Physician Training at Flinders Medical Centre in 2017 before pursuing training in Dermatology the following year. During her Dermatology training, she has worked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, The Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Alice Springs Hospital and rural Northern Territory.

She is a published author in international peer reviewed journals and has presented academic papers at both National and International conferences. She was the recipient of the 2019 World Congress of Dermatology scholarship, and more recently, the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting scholarship for her performance in her final Dermatology exams.

Dr Ma is committed to providing excellent patient centered care. Her areas of interest include management of eczema, psoriasis, acne, hyperhidrosis, autoimmune/ connective tissue diseases, skin cancer and surgery.

Adelaide Dermatology Associates is committed to providing uncompromised, excellent patient care. We are based at Western hospital, Henley Beach and also offer rural outreach services in Keith.

What is a Dermatologist?

A dermatologist has a medical degree and four years of specialist training. The Australasian College of Dermatologists is the only government accredited provider of specialist training. Dermatologists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases and cancers.

Dermatologists are initially trained as doctors, undertaking six or more years of university study to gain their medical degree. This is followed by several years of full-time training and practice as a junior hospital doctor in an accredited teaching hospital. Only then can application be made to enter the four-year national dermatology training program. Regular assessments of trainees are conducted by the Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) to ensure that high standards of specialists are produced. Trainees must complete their training and then pass both written and clinical examinations held by the Australasian College of Dermatologists to be awarded as a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Dermatologists look after patients of all ages, from babies and children to adolescents and adults. On a typical workday, the dermatologist deals with a wide variety of disorders. However given our climate, Australian dermatologists spend a lot of time treating diseases caused by sun exposure. These include sunspots and skin cancers. As dermatologists have a wide variety of treatments at their disposal (creams, liquid nitrogen, various types of surgery), they are able to deliver specific treatment for skin cancers.

Other typical skin consultations include acne, psoriasis, atopic eczema, skin infections such as warts, mole surveillance, melasma and occupational dermatitis

Skin also includes hair, nails and the wet areas of the mouth and genitalia. Dermatologists are experts in the diagnosis and management of disorders affecting these areas.

Given their intimate skin knowledge and medical science training, dermatologists are uniquely placed to deliver effective and safe cosmetic services (e.g. laser therapy, muscle relaxants, fillers).

Do I need a referral to see a Dermatologist?
It is not a legal requirement to have a GP/specialist referral to see a dermatologist and anyone can book in to see a dermatologist. However, only patients who present with a current GP/specialist referral are eligible to receive a rebate from Medicare.