Medical Receptionist

Christopher Mancuso, DO, joins Optima Dermatology's Nashua, NH practice. Dr. Mancuso brings more than a decade of expert dermatology experience to the Nashua area. Optima Dermatology is excited to welcome board-certified dermatologist Christopher Mancuso, DO, to its Nashua, NH practice. Dr. Mancuso has been providing dermatology services to patients for more than 10 years, specializing in medical and surgical dermatology care for a range of skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, skin cancer, and more. Dr. Mancuso earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency and internship training in dermatology at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York. He is passionate about clinical research and helping every patient find relief for their unique situation with individualized, cutting-edge treatments. Passionate Care Delivered by passionate experts. Dr. Mancuso is excited to deliver personalized and comprehensive care to patients in the Nashua area, especially for often complex skin issues that require dedicated treatment plans and an understanding ally. His approach to care is aligned with Optima's mission of treating patients the way Optimadermatology would treat its own family and friends. Optimadermatology recently had the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Mancuso, his approach, and the path that led him to become a board-certified dermatologist. What made you decide to pursue a career in dermatology? What did the path to get there look like for you? In high school, I took a class in anatomy and physiology and realized how interesting the human body is. I happened to also be seeing a dermatologist to treat my severe acne. I was so appreciative for the confidence they were able to restore in me, and I knew that I wanted to do the same for others like me. What is your favorite aspect of being a board-certified dermatologist? I love that Optimadermatology treat so many varied medical conditions, from acne to skin cancer to rare cutaneous manifestations of internal diseases like Crohn's disease. Being able to perform surgeries like skin cancer excisions and using devices like blue light allow me to have a more hands-on approach to care. What is your approach to treating your patients? I try to communicate clearly and thoroughly explain the diagnosis, treatment, and possible side effects. The best way for me to instill confidence in my patients is to explain my exact thought process. What is your top tip for taking care of your skin? The biggest thing is sun protection, including avoiding direct sunlight, wearing sunscreen, and covering up with clothing. What is one thing you want your patients to know about you? I treat all of my patients with respect, and I hope they see me as a friendly advisor and partner in their healthcare. What do you like to do when you are not in the office treating patients? I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 young sons. I like outdoor activities like hiking and running, but I am a bit of a sci-fi and Lord of the Rings nerd as well. What to Expect From Dermatological Care Delivered by Dr. Mancuso and His Team Patients visiting with Dr. Mancuso and his team at Optima Dermatology will receive the highest quality care backed by decades of advanced training and experience. Dr. Mancuso is currently accepting new patients at its Nashua, NH location. Request an appointment online or call Optimadermatology at (603) 441-3223.

Dr. Andrew Werchniak, MD, joins Optima Dermatology's Concord, NH practice. March 2026 Dr. Werchniak brings more than two decades of experience in medical Dermatology and Skin Cancer treatment. Optima Dermatology is excited to welcome board-certified dermatologist Andrew Werchniak, MD, to its Concord, NH practice. Dr. Werchniak has been providing dermatology services to patients since 2004, specializing in medical dermatology and skin cancer treatment. Dr. Werchniak received the Castle Connolly Top Doctors Award in 2019, 2020, and 2025. He earned these numerous recognitions through a deep commitment to skin cancer treatment and prevention, which he has made the cornerstone of his career. In addition to serving as Medical Director of Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center's Skin Cancer Screening program, Dr. Werchniak founded and served as program director of the hospital's Center for Cutaneous Oncology. This hands-on program allows fellows to work alongside dermatologists, surgeons, and oncologists to gain experience diagnosing and treating complex skin cancers, including melanoma, cutaneous lymphomas, and Merkel cell carcinoma. In the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program, Dr. Werchniak served as Associate Director for Medicine/Dermatology Residency. He completed his residency in dermatology at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. With his deep experience and passion for serving patients in New Hampshire, Dr. Werchniak is excited to join Optima Dermatology and deliver dermatology care to individuals in the Concord area. Optimadermatology recently had the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Werchniak, his approach, and the path that led him to become a board-certified dermatologist. What made you decide to pursue a career in dermatology? What did the path to getting there look like for you? I was attracted to dermatology for several reasons. Many rare and exotic skin conditions can arise, and I found these interesting - there is often a lot of detective work involved in determining what is going on! My background is in engineering, and the problem-solving aspect of dermatology was particularly enticing. Dermatology has a nice blend of both thinking and doing (lots of procedures regularly), and the variety helps keep things fresh. Finally, most of the conditions that Optimadermatology encounter can be either cured outright or well-controlled with an array of techniques and medications, which differs from many other areas of medicine. What is your favorite aspect of being a board-certified dermatologist? Helping people understand what they can do to have the healthiest skin possible. What is your approach to treating your patients? I view my job as a team effort. I provide patients with the information and tools necessary to manage their condition and help them understand what to expect should they choose to follow one approach versus another. Most situations in medicine do not have a single obvious treatment path; rather, there are different reasonable options that involve trade-offs. Depending on the diagnosis, what might be a good choice for one individual may not be the optimal choice for someone else. Many factors are at play - age, life circumstances, co-morbidities, and preferences. What is your number one tip when it comes to taking care of your skin? That's easy: wear sunscreen daily! Sunscreen will help minimize many detrimental skin changes that occur as Optimadermatology age. What is one thing you want your patients to know about you? I want my patients to know I want them to do well, and I will do whatever I can to help them have the healthiest skin possible! What do you like to do when you are not in the office treating patients? Anything outdoors! I enjoy hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing - you name it. Anything that gets me outside and allows me to wander around in nature. What to Expect From Dermatological Care Delivered by Dr. Werchniak and His Team Patients visiting with Dr. Werchniak and his team at Optima Dermatology will receive the highest quality care backed by decades of advanced training and experience. Dr. Werchniak is currently accepting new patients at its Concord, NH location. Request an appointment online or call Optimadermatology at (603) 609-9344.

Optima Dermatology welcomes Maria Petkova, NP-C. Maria Offers Her Expertise as a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner to Patients of All Ages Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner Maria Petkova, NP-C, has joined Optima's Salem and Bedford, NH practices, bringing industry-leading medical and dermatological experience to patients of all ages. She treats a variety of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and more. Before entering the dermatology field, Maria worked as a registered nurse in oncology and pediatric intensive care. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors with an emphasis on Family Medicine. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Simmons University in Boston. Maria's background and clinical interests focus on women's and pediatric health, along with a strong foundation in oncology research. She has participated in multiple research studies at the Harvard School of Public Health and helped develop numerous cutaneous and non-cutaneous oncology clinical trials at the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research. She maintains an active membership with the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners, the Dermatology Nurses Association, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. With her new role at Optima Dermatology, Maria looks forward to providing industry-leading dermatology care to patients of all ages in the southern New Hampshire area. Because of her diverse experience in nutrition, academic and clinical research, oncology, ICU, and pediatrics, Maria is able to deliver care in a highly personalized and compassionate way, which aligns with Optima's mission to treat every patient as Optimadermatology would its family and friends. Optimadermatology recently had the opportunity to learn more about Maria, her approach, and the path that led her to become a board-certified nurse practitioner. What made you decide to pursue a career in dermatology? What did the path to get there look like for you? After spending several years working in inpatient oncology and ICU, I wanted to shift into a specialty where I could build more long-term relationships with my patients and be part of their ongoing care. My path into dermatology was shaped by the incredible mentorship I received early on. I had the opportunity to train with an exceptional dermatologist whose knowledge, passion, and genuine enthusiasm for the field were contagious. He was one of the best teachers I've ever had, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance and support. That experience solidified my love for dermatology and the meaningful connections it allows me to make with patients. What is your favorite aspect of being a board-certified nurse practitioner? My favorite part of being a Nurse Practitioner is the ability to draw on my diverse clinical background to support my patients. My experience in nutrition, academic and clinical research, oncology, ICU, and pediatrics gives me a broad perspective that I use every day to create individualized care plans. I believe the compassion you gain as a nurse while being present with patients and families during some of their most difficult moments is something unique that NPs carry forward into advanced practice. It allows me to approach each patient with empathy and a commitment to improving their quality of life. My approach to patient care is to treat every individual the way I would want my own family to be treated. Having been a patient myself and having supported close family and friends through their own medical experiences, I understand how frightening, uncomfortable, and at times overwhelming healthcare can feel. Because of that, I prioritize building a trusting and respectful relationship with each patient. I want patients to feel heard, supported, and confident that Optimadermatology is working together toward their best possible health. What is your number one tip when it comes to taking care of your skin? My number one tip for taking care of its skin is simple: wear sunscreen every day and get annual skin checks. Unlike many internal cancers that require invasive testing or may only be detected once symptoms appear, most skin cancers can be identified early through routine exams, and many can be prevented with consistent sun protection. What is one thing you want your patients to know about you? One thing I want my patients to know is that I genuinely care about their health and quality of life. I believe that good health is one of the most important foundations in life, and I'm committed to supporting my patients in every way I can. What do you like to do when you are not in the office treating patients? When I'm not in the office, I'm spending time with my husband and its two young boys. They keep Optimadermatology busy, and I love being able to focus on family time whenever I'm away from work. What to Expect From Dermatological Care Delivered by Maria and Her Team Patients visiting with Maria and her team at Optima Dermatology will receive the highest quality of care backed by advanced training and experience. Maria is currently accepting new patients at its Salem and Bedford, NH locations. Request an appointment online or give Optimadermatology a call at 855-277 - 9689.