Dr Kara Heelan specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer as well as in complex medical dermatology. She subspecialises in drug reactions and autoimmune bullous dermatoses. She is experienced in treating patients with general dermatological conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, benign skin lesions and inflammatory skin rashes).

Kara graduated from University College Dublin Medical School with Honours. She completed her dermatology training in Ireland, during which she won national and international prizes for her research. She received the inaugural Sean O’Loughlin memorial gold medal for first place in the national dermatology exam.

She had additive international training at the University of Toronto and completed the highly competitive Advanced Medical Dermatology Fellowship with interests in drug reactions and autoimmune bullous disorders. She subsequently completed a Fellowship in Skin Cancer and Dermatological Surgery at University College London Hospital.

She undertook research in autoimmune bullous dermatoses at the University of Toronto and her MD was awarded from University College Cork. She has published her work in peer-reviewed journals and has frequently presented at national and international meetings.

Kara is currently a member of the National Cancer Research Institute Skin Group and the British Association of Dermatologists guideline group for bullous pemphigoid.

Kara is a mum to two young energetic boys so keeps fit by running after them in her local park!