My husband, Blair, and I both grew up in Old Lyme and have lived on the shoreline for our entire lives.We met each other while I was still in high school through mutual friends in 2005 (I went to Lyme-Old-Lyme High School and Blair went to St. Bernard School)…the rest is history.
AWW love that!
We bought our first home together in Waterford in 2016, where we live with our two wild, but loving German Shepherds, Allison & Arno and our daughter, Sloane.
Our daughter Sloane (aka “Bean”) will be turning 2 at the end of this month. It is so fun watching her personality develop while she navigates through life and explores her surroundings. Life with her feels like time is in fast forward, she certainly keeps us on our toes!
We hear ya on that one, 2 yr olds definitely keep a mom on their toes. What a cutie!!
I am a dermatology physician assistant (PA). Before I went to college I knew I wanted to do something in healthcare, but didn’t have a clear direction. After spending time with various physician assistants in cardiology and critical care/pulmonology, it was obvious to me what career path I needed to take. I graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in 2010. I moved back to Connecticut and completed my PA training at University of Bridgeport, graduating in 2014 with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.Over the past 5 years I have worked in ear, nose, and throat “ENT” (otolaryngology is the official name, say that 10 times fast) and more recently, dermatology. I love dermatology due to its faced paced and procedure–oriented nature. I am also passionate about making others feel good about the largest organ in their body and first thing people notice, their skin!
I joined Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in 2018 and am now seeing patients 4 days per week in our New London office. What am I able to do as adermatology PA you might ask? Well, I am able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of conditions that may be treated either medically or surgically (and yes I can prescribe medications, that’s a common question I get!). I perform skin cancer screening exams and educate patients regarding the harmful effects of UV rays and how to properly care for your skin. My particular interests are skin cancer detection & prevention, acne, and psoriasis.
As a PA, I tend to have more flexibility in my schedule and the ability to spend a few extra minutes with my patients. I work autonomously within the office, but always with the support of a board certified dermatologist, Dr. Malik. We work as a team, and I amvery lucky to collaborate with a great supervising physician. I am currently offering next day appointments and am eager to help patients achieve and maintain healthy skin in our new location in New London!
When I am not busy being a PA or “momming” I also help out my husband with our small business, Saltwater Septic. This opportunity has both challenged our relationship and allowed it to grow. While he is the forefront of the company and the true workhorse, I am more behind the scenes. I have become quite adept at using QuickBooks for handling the day to day operations of the business. While I enjoy helping out, I won’t be quitting my day job as a dermatology PA anytime soon!
You certainly keep yourself busy! We will definitely be calling for an appointment soon!
4. One thing people would be surprised to know about you.
I have pretty good handwriting for a left hander and still believe in the power of a handwritten thank you note. This trait was instilled in me by my mom’s father, my papa. His voice continues to echo in my head about the importance of taking time to thank others for their kindness. I was fortunate enough to have him as a mentor throughout most of my life. He contributed to my education in addition to providing invaluable advice, laughter, and love.
That’s amazing. So sweet!
I could not get through parenthood without the help of my family! I am so grateful for my mother-in-law who comes to our house and watches Sloane and our 2 dogs every day. This is no small task; she really deserves some sort of award! My mom also helps out in the evenings/weekends when I am running late or when Blair and I are in need of a date night. Date nights are the secret to maintaining a healthy relationship with my husband, I couldn’t do parenthood without him either! Some of our favorite date night spots are River Tavern in Chester and the Pub at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne and Engine Room, both in Mystic.
6. Favorite things to do with your kids on the shoreline.
Going to McCook’s Point Park (Sloane won’t let a weekend go by without visiting the swings), walks along the Niantic Boardwalk, and visiting Whitegate farm.
Also, spending time at White Sands Beach in Old Lyme at our family cottage. I was lucky enough to grow up at the beach, where I have fond memories of my grandpa, cousins, and aunts/uncles. Sloane is justbeginning to understand what the beach is, (while wearing her wide brimmed hat, rash guard, and SPF 50 of course) and I look forward to her enjoying the same things I did as I child.
And one more, the East Lyme Library. Whether it be for Sloane or me, there is something about the smell of a good old-fashioned book, and the free programs available for children are amazing!
We totally agree, the beaches are the best!
7. What’s one helpful piece of “mom advice” you can share with our Shoreline moms?
It’s okay to be perfectly imperfect . Scrolling through countless seemingly flawless posts on social media can sometimes give you the feeling of not measuring up to other moms. There is Instagram and then there is reality. Some days I am better about keeping a healthy perspective than others, but I am trying to put down my phone more and forget about needing to do the laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc., and actually be present with my daughter — before I know it the days, weeks, and months pass quickly by. As many people have told me, the days are long, but the years are short, and it couldn’t be more true once you become a mom.
8. How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This community has given me the perfect location to raise a family, start a business and enjoy the many events and opportunities of living by the shore.
We couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us, Marissa!
Want to get to know Marissa better? Come meet her and learn from her on January 29th at The Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut’s New London office from 9:30am-11am! There will be a Q&A with Marissa and Dr. Malik, as well as some AWESOME raffle prizes and a chance to have a nice relaxing morning with the ladies. More info coming in this week’s newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up!
