AQUA Dermatology

What AQUA Dermatology does

AQUA Dermatology is a private equity-backed dermatology practice management platform operating 115+ clinical locations across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The company was formed through the 2022 rebranding of Water's Edge Dermatology (founded 1998) and Riverchase Dermatology (founded 2000), and has since grown through a sustained program of practice acquisitions and partnerships, adding 13+ dermatology brands including Goodman Dermatology, Surgical Dermatology Group, Skin Cancer Specialists, True Dermatology, Sunrise Dermatology, First Coast Mohs, Intracoastal Dermatology, and most recently Steele Dermatology (2026). The business is sponsored by Gryphon Investors and GTCR and serves approximately 1.2 million patients annually through 270+ providers.

The platform offers a full continuum of dermatology services across medical, surgical, and cosmetic categories: general and pediatric dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, comprehensive skin cancer care including electron beam radiation therapy, advanced cosmetic dermatology (lasers, body contouring, PRP), venous care through AQUA Vein Center, plastic surgery through Aqua Plastic Surgery and Ensō Plastic Surgery, and in-house dermatopathology lab services at partner practices. Technical differentiators include one of the few electron beam therapy programs for non-melanoma skin cancer in the Southeast, ACGME-accredited dermatology residency and Mohs fellowship programs, and integrated dermatopathology enabling faster diagnosis and treatment initiation. Acquired practice brands are retained under a federation model that preserves local market identity.

AQUA generates revenue through professional services billed to patients and insurance payors, supplemented by a managed-services practice partnership and acquisition model that consolidates independent dermatology practices under the AQUA umbrella while providing centralized revenue cycle management, payor contracting, HR, IT, marketing, and credentialing. The go-to-market targets independent dermatologists seeking an exit from private practice, offering administrative relief, brand retention, and operational support in exchange for clinical integration. Customer segments include general and pediatric patients, skin cancer patients requiring Mohs or radiation therapy, and dermatology practice owners as partnership counterparties.

Name

AQUA Dermatology

Legal name

AQUA Dermatology of Florida, P.A., AQUA Dermatology of Alabama, P.C., AQUA Dermatology of Georgia, P.C. & AQUA Global, LLC

Website

https://aquadermatology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AQUA Dermatology is a PE-backed dermatology platform operating 115+ clinical locations across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, offering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology plus skin cancer care to 1.2 million patients annually through 270+ providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermatology Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (6211), Ambulatory Health Care Services (621)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

General & Medical Dermatology (HLAKACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pediatric Dermatology (HLAKACAB), Dermatopathology (HLAKACAC), Procedural Dermatology (Office-Based Surgery) (HLAKACAG), Plastics / Cosmetic & Dermatologic Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAK)

Keywords

• Dermatology services
• Skin cancer treatment
• Mohs surgery
• Cosmetic dermatology
• Vein care

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Clinical Dermatology Services: Revenue generated from medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology procedures billed to patients and insurance providers. Services include general dermatology, skin cancer care, Mohs surgery, plastic surgery, vein care, and radiation therapy.
2. Practice Partnership Model: Growth through acquiring and partnering with independent dermatology practices, consolidating operations while maintaining multiple branded practices under the AQUA umbrella.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AQUA Dermatology is the Southeast's largest and fastest-growing full-service skin care provider, operating over 115 clinic locations across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The company delivers medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services — including general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, Mohs micrographic surgery, electron beam radiation therapy, vein care, plastic surgery, and dermatopathology lab services — supported by 270+ providers and serving approximately 1.2 million patients annually.

Product overview

AQUA Dermatology is a multi-location dermatology practice management platform comprising a unified brand that operates through multiple acquired and partner dermatology practices. The portfolio includes the core AQUA Dermatology brand plus partner practices: Water's Edge Dermatology (80+ locations, founded 1998), Riverchase Dermatology (founded 2000), Goodman Dermatology (12 locations, founded 2010), Intracoastal Dermatology, True Dermatology, Sunrise Dermatology, Surgical Dermatology Group, Skin Cancer Specialists, First Coast Mohs, Steele Dermatology, Diane Walder Dermatology, and Coast Dermatology. The service offering spans general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, skin cancer care with Mohs surgery, advanced cosmetic dermatology, radiation therapy (electron beam therapy), venous care (AQUA Vein Center), plastic surgery (Aqua Plastic Surgery), dermatopathology lab services, residency training programs, and Mohs fellowship programs. The organization operates over 115 locations across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama with 270+ providers serving approximately 1.2 million patients annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Dermatology

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Steele DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Dr. Chynna Steele Johnson founded Steele Dermatology in 2014, operating two locations in Alpharetta and Buckhead, Atlanta before the acquisition by AQUA Dermatology.
• First Coast MohscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2024Jacksonville, Florida-based dermatology and skin cancer specialist group serving North Florida and Southern Georgia.
• Sunrise DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2023Mobile, Alabama-based general dermatology and Mohs surgery practice with a focus on skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• True DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2023Birmingham, Alabama-based comprehensive dermatology practice, creating the largest skin cancer surgical and medical practice in Alabama.
• Surgical Dermatology GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2023Vestavia Hills, Alabama-based dermatology practice.
• Skin Cancer Specialists, P.C.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2023Marietta, Georgia-based dermatology practice.
• Intracoastal DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2022Jacksonville, Florida-based dermatology practice acquired by AQUA Dermatology.
• Water's Edge DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2022Founded by Dr. Ted Schiff in 1998, Florida-based dermatology practice; rebranded under AQUA Dermatology umbrella.
• Riverchase DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 April 2022Founded by Dr. Andrew Jaffe in 2000, Southwest Florida-based dermatology practice; rebranded under AQUA Dermatology umbrella.
• Goodman DermatologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2021Atlanta-area dermatology practice founded by Dr. Marcus Goodman in 2010, growing to 12 locations across metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
• Mayo ClinicminorOthersMayo Clinic is planning to build a future-focused healthcare facility in Jacksonville, FL - noted as a healthcare development in the same market area.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• US Dermatology Partners: One of the largest PE-backed dermatology practice roll-ups in the U.S., operating across multiple states with a similar strategy of acquiring independent practices and offering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Directly comparable in scale, M&A approach, and service mix.
• QualDerm Partners: PE-backed dermatology platform pursuing a regional consolidation strategy across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, offering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology through affiliated practices. Directly comparable business model and growth trajectory to AQUA.
• Schweiger Dermatology Group: Large, growth-oriented dermatology group in the Northeast operating a multi-location model with comprehensive medical, surgical, and cosmetic services. Comparable in offering breadth and PE-backed consolidation strategy.
• Pinnacle Dermatology: Midwest-based PE-backed dermatology platform with broad medical/surgical/cosmetic services. Highly comparable as a multi-state roll-up with similar central support model and acquisition pace.
• Forefront Dermatology: Large PE-backed dermatology network operating across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. Directly comparable in offering comprehensive dermatology services through acquired practices with shared back-office infrastructure.
• Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery: Large Florida-headquartered dermatology practice with strong Southeast presence offering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology plus Mohs surgery. Direct overlap with AQUA's core geographies (FL, GA).
• Anne Arundel Dermatology: Mid-Atlantic-focused PE-backed dermatology platform offering medical, surgical, cosmetic, and plastic surgery services across dozens of locations. Comparable multi-specialty dermatology roll-up model.
• Epiphany Dermatology: PE-backed dermatology group operating across the South and Midwest with comprehensive medical, surgical, and aesthetic services. Direct strategic overlap in multi-state dermatology practice consolidation.
• West Dermatology: California-based private dermatology practice group offering medical, surgical, Mohs, and cosmetic services through a multi-location platform. Comparable service portfolio and provider-led culture, though concentrated in a different geography.

Others

• Mayo Clinic (Florida): Major academic health system building a Jacksonville, FL facility adjacent to AQUA's existing footprint. While not a direct dermatology competitor, Mayo's expanded presence raises competitive intensity for complex dermatology referrals in the Northeast Florida market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=6EmQig6rF6g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqua-dermatology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AQUA Dermatology