Catherine Brahe, MD, FAAD

Dr. Catherine Brahe is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology whose path to medicine was shaped by a lifetime of service. Born in Irvine, California, she grew up in diverse locations across the country as the daughter of a Marine Corps aviator who served twenty years. Her mother immigrated from Saigon as a refugee in 1975, and her grandfather, her Ông Ngoại, served in the South Vietnamese Army alongside the United States Army. That heritage of sacrifice and resilience runs deep. Catherine eventually settled in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she graduated from Bruton High School before earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Public Health, summa cum laude, from the College of William & Mary, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

She earned her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine as a Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) scholar for the United States Navy. She then completed her Transitional Year Internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, where she was named Intern of the Year for outstanding clinical performance. Dr. Brahe went on to serve as Battalion Surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines at Camp Lejeune, the lead medical advisor for over 1,000 Marines and Sailors in an operational infantry unit. During that tour, she earned the coveted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer qualification through the 2d Marine Division, completed cold weather mountain warfare training in Bridgeport, California, and deployed to Norway north of the Arctic Circle. She was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for her exceptional leadership and service through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Selected as one of only three Navy-wide Dermatology residents, Dr. Brahe completed her residency at Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command San Diego. She was chosen as Chief Resident, inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, and selected for early promotion to Lieutenant Commander, meritoriously reordered in the top 20. She was awarded a second Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at the end of her residency. She earned recognition as a poster winner at the Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, the San Diego Dermatology Symposium, and the Association of Military Dermatologists national meeting, and was awarded a competitive preceptorship grant from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Brahe currently serves as a Staff Dermatologist at NMRTC Camp Lejeune, where she also directs the Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) Supervision Program and was named Preceptor of the Year for the NMRTC Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP). As Chief Resident at NMCSD, she mentored seven junior dermatology residents, ten intern physicians, fifteen general medical officers, ten physician assistant students, and twenty-five independent duty corpsmen, while developing over forty course lectures and revamping the residency curriculum. As Founder and CEO of Cura Vita Cares PLLC, she leads the clinical product behind EDEN, the company's flagship EHR platform.

Board-Certified Dermatologist

A Career of Service & Distinction

College of William & Mary

Biology & Public Health, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa (2010 to 2014)

One of America's oldest universities, founded in 1693. Dr. Brahe graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Biology and Public Health and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Georgetown University School of Medicine

Doctor of Medicine (MD), HPSP Scholar (2014 to 2018)

Earned her MD as an HPSP Scholar, with the U.S. Navy funding her medical education at one of the nation's top medical schools in exchange for military service. Received the Excellence in Research Award at graduation.

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth

Transitional Year Internship (2018 to 2019)

Completed her Transitional Year Internship at one of the Navy's oldest medical centers and was named Intern of the Year for outstanding clinical performance.

3rd Battalion, 6th Marines

Battalion Surgeon, Camp Lejeune, Lead Medical Advisor for 1,000+ Marines & Sailors (2019 to 2021)

Served as Battalion Surgeon at Camp Lejeune, providing frontline medical leadership and care for over 1,000 Marines and Sailors in an operational infantry unit. Awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for exceptional service through the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCM

Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer Qualification

2d Marine Division (Nov 2020), Cold Weather Training

Earned the coveted Fleet Marine Force Warfare Officer qualification through the 2d Marine Division, including rigorous cold weather mountain warfare training at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California.

Norway Deployment

Deployed North of the Arctic Circle

Deployed north of the Arctic Circle as part of NATO exercises in Norway, providing medical support to Marines operating in extreme cold weather conditions.

Naval Medical Center San Diego

Dermatology Residency, Chief Resident, Alpha Omega Alpha, Early Promotion to LCDR (2021 to 2024)

Selected as one of only three Navy-wide Dermatology residents. Served as Chief Resident, inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, and earned early promotion to Lieutenant Commander, meritoriously reordered top 20. Awarded a second Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal upon completion.

NMRTC Camp Lejeune

Staff Dermatologist & IDC Supervision Program Director (2024 to Present)

Currently serving as Staff Dermatologist and IDC Supervision Program Director, providing comprehensive dermatologic care to active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. Named Preceptor of the Year for the NMRTC Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP).

Professional Honors

• Phi Beta Kappa, College of William & Mary (2014)
• Excellence in Research Award, Georgetown University (May 2018)
• Transitional Year Intern of the Year, NMC Portsmouth (June 2019)
• JOE's Best of the Best Provider, Q3 FY 2022 (Sept 2022)
• ASDS Preceptorship Program Grant (Oct 2023)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, NMCSD (2023 to 2024)
• Preceptor of the Year, NMRTC Interservice Physician Assistant Program (2025 to 2026)

Research & Publications

Dr. Brahe has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications spanning dermatology, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology, military medicine, and global health. Select publications include:

• Gall R, Brahe C. Facial nodules and hypopigmented plaques of the body. JAAD Case Reports. 2025;67:44-46.
• Frantz TC, Kirwin D, Brahe C. Hidradenitis secondary to nirogacestat, a recently approved desmoid tumor medication. JAAD Case Reports. 2024;57:1-2.
• Kamat S, O'Hagan R, Brahe C, Hardy CL, Shrivastava V, Grant-Kels JM, Crotty AM. Ethical Issues Regarding Dermatopathology Care for Service-Members: A Review. Dermatopathology. 2024;11(4):253-265.
• Pendlebury G, Brahe C, Schmiedecke R. Cryotherapy induced iatrogenic frostbite on distal digit: Case report and review of management strategies. Military Medicine. 2024.
• Brahe CA, Hardy CL, Miladi A. Postoperative Pain After Mohs Micrographic Surgery is Well Tolerated Regardless of Psychological and Pain-Related Comorbidities. Dermatologic Surgery. 2021;47(4):462-466.
• Brahe C. Cutaneous Body Image: How the Mental Health Benefits of Treating Dermatologic Disease Support Military Readiness in Service Members. Cutis. 2022;109(6):310-313.

View All Publications (15 total)

• Park AM, Brahe CA. Oral Isotretinoin for Acne in the US Military: How Accelerated Courses and Teledermatology Can Minimize the Duty-Limiting Impacts of Treatment. Cutis. 2022;109(2):75-78.
• Brahe C, Wu S, Miladi A. Mucosa Does Not Matter: Successful Secondary Intention Healing of the Lip and Vermilion Border in Mohs Surgery Patients. Dermatologic Surgery. 2021;47(5):692-694.
• Brahe C, Peters K. Fighting Acne for the Fighting Forces. Cutis. 2020;106(1):18-20, 22.
• Brahe C, Peters K, Meunier N. Acne keloidalis nuchae in the armed forces. Cutis. 2020;105(5):223-226.
• Brahe C, Ellis R. GOT SHINGLES? TEST FOR HIV. Severe shingles as first presenting infection in HIV/AIDS patient. IDCases. 2020;19:e00725.
• Lowe CD, Brahe CA, Green B, Lam TK, Meyerle JH. Bullous Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a 23 year old Woman Successfully Treated with Rituximab. Cutis. 2019;103(06):E5-7.
• Ickes SB, Baguma C, Brahe CA, Myhre JA, Adair LS, Bentley ME, Ammerman AS. Maternal participation in a nutrition education program in Uganda is associated with improved infant and young child feeding practices. BMC Nutrition. 2017;3:32.
• Ickes SB, Adair LS, Brahe CA, et al. Impact of Lipid-Based Nutrient (LNS) supplementation on children's diet adequacy in western Uganda. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 2015;(11):163-178.
• Joe B, Schmidgal EC, Brahe C. Erythrodermic psoriasis: A case report. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Accepted 2024.

Non-Peer Reviewed: Holland T, Brahe C, Shrivastava V. DermWorld, Directions in Residency: Boards Fodder, "Dermpath Buzzwords." American Academy of Dermatology Association. Fall 2024.  |  Brahe A. "The Crackdown: Spanish Protester Becomes Symbol for Free Expression." Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. 2013.

Research Experience

Clinical Investigator, Johns Hopkins / Naval Medical Center San Diego

2021 to Present

Multicenter clinical study led by Johns Hopkins University Department of Dermatology: Use of Stem Cells in Treatment of Amputation Stumps. Patient recruitment and clinical trials in progress.

Clinical Investigator, Naval Medical Center San Diego

2022 to 2023  |  PI: Angela Crotty, MD

Use of the Rapid Acoustic Pulse Device in the Treatment of Hypertrophic and Keloidal Scars. Clinical trials complete; manuscript in progress.

Research Assistant, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Dept. of Dermatology

2017 to 2018  |  PI: Anis Miladi, MD

Post-Operative Pain following Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Patients with Psychological Comorbidities. Study complete; published in Dermatologic Surgery 2021.

Research Assistant, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center

2015 to 2018  |  PI: Jean-Paul Chretien, MD MPH

10 Years of Military Telemedicine, A Descriptive Analysis of an Infectious Disease Teleconsultation Program for Deployed Healthcare Professionals and Implications for Policy and Education. Presented at Georgetown University Kober Research Day 2018.

Research & Poster Presentations

Hover over or tap each presentation to see details.

2024 SCC Complicated by Myiasis

SHOO FLY, Don't Complicate Things! A case of squamous cell carcinoma complicated by myiasis

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

Award: 2nd Place Resident Poster Winner

2024 SCC Treatment with Poly-L-Lactic Acid Filler

Successful treatment of cosmetic and functional deficit secondary to metastatic SCC with Poly-L-Lactic-Acid Dermal Filler

Venue: San Diego Dermatology Symposium (Oral + Poster)

Award: Top 3 Poster Winner

2024 Sebaceous Hyperplasia & Pulsed Dye Laser

Beauty Doesn't Always Mean Pain, Successful Treatment of Benign Sebaceous Hyperplasia with 595 nm Pulsed Dye Laser

Venues: NorCal Conference (CSDD), Napa CA & ASLMS 43rd Annual Conference, Baltimore MD

2024 Gamma Secretase Inhibitor & Hidradenitis

Taking the Roof off Gamma Secretase Inhibitor Induced Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Venue: AMSUS Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD

2024 Iatrogenic Frostbite Management

Cryo Gone Crazy: Management Strategies for Iatrogenic Frostbite on Distal Digit

Venue: AMSUS Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD

2024 Neutrophilic Eccrine Hidradenitis

Collateral Damage: A case of neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis secondary to chemotherapy

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

2024 Phytophotodermatitis Case

When life gives you lemons, sun gives you phytophotodermatitis

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

2024 HSV Mucositis in Teenage Female

Worse Than Senioritis, A Severe Case of HSV Mucositis In Teenage Female

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

2024 Elephantiasis Nostra Verrucosa

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! A Case of Elephantiasis Nostra Verrucosa in Southern California

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

2023 Iatrogenic Frostbite from Wart Treatment

With Great Cry-ac Comes Great Responsibility: Iatrogenic frostbite secondary to treatment of wart

Venue: Navy Medicine West Academic Research Competition, NMCSD

Award: 1st Place Resident Poster Winner

2019 Secondary Intention Healing of Lip

Mucosa doesn't matter: Successful secondary intention healing of the vermillion lip in 2 Mohs patients

Venue: Navy Medicine East Academic Research Competition, NMC Portsmouth

2019 Mohs Surgery Post-Op Pain Screening

Mohs micrographic surgery patient screening for acute post operative pain

Venue: Navy Medicine East Academic Research Competition, NMC Portsmouth (Oral)

2018 Military Telemedicine, 10-Year Analysis

10 Years of Military Telemedicine, A Descriptive Analysis of an Infectious Disease Teleconsultation Program

Venue: 7th Annual Kober MD Research Day, Georgetown University (Oral)

Award: Excellence in Research Award

2013 XMSR Gene, Vascular & Neural Development

The Functional Characterization of the Upstream Regulatory Regions of XMSR, a Gene Involved in Vascular and Neural Development

Venues: Society for Developmental Biology Mid-Atlantic Meeting; 19th Annual W&M Science Research Symposium (Oral)

2012 XMSR Gene, International Poster

The Functional Characterization of the Upstream Regulatory Regions of XMSR

Venue: Society for Developmental Biology 71st Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada (Poster)

Invited Lectures

Hover over or tap each lecture to see details.

Teaching & Mentorship

Chief Resident & Educator, NMCSD Dermatology Residency

2023 to 2024  |  San Diego, CA

Taught and mentored 7 junior dermatology residents, 10 intern physicians, 15 general medical officers, 10 physician assistant students, and 25 independent duty hospital corpsmen on topics including general dermatology, dermatopathology, and dermatologic surgery.

• Developed, updated, and presented over 40 course lectures
• Revised the residency curriculum with a revamped advanced academic track focusing on dermatopathology, dermatologic surgery, and monthly journal clubs
• Reviewed and facilitated over 75 poster presentations and 25 podium presentations for the 2024 NMRTC San Diego Academic Research Competition

Affiliations & Training

Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology

2024 to Present

Member, Association of Military Dermatologists

2024 to Present

Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society

Maryland Gamma Chapter  |  2024 to Present

Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

College of William & Mary  |  2014 to Present

MHS Female Physician Leadership Course

Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, VA  |  May 2024

A 3-day course focusing on physician leadership development in the Military Health System. Attendees are nominated by their commands and selected to participate.

Community Service

Dr. Brahe in Practice

Dermatologic Procedure

Dermatopathology Lab

Teaching Advanced Closure Techniques

Mentoring Medical Students

Dermatology Research, NMCSD

Field Medicine, 3/6 Marines

Deployed Medical Operations

LCDR Catherine Brahe, MD

Dr. Brahe

Ready for Patients