Dr. David R. Bickers

Name: Dr. David R. Bickers

Specialty: Dermatology | Subspecialty: General Dermatology

Qualification/Board Certification:  University of Virginia School of Medicine | AB in Classics – Georgetown University | Internship – Transitional Year, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics | Residency – Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine | Fellowship – Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Research, Rockefeller University Hospital | Active NY State Medical License (through 2026)

Affiliation(s): Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell

Location: New York, New York

Languages Spoken: English

Accepting New Patients: Yes

NPI Number: 1063512341

About the Doctor

Dr. David R. Bickers is a world-renowned academic dermatologist and one of the most distinguished figures in American dermatology, bringing a lifetime of clinical excellence, groundbreaking research, and extraordinary scholarly contribution to his practice at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell in New York City. He earned his undergraduate degree — an AB in Classics — from Georgetown University from 1959 to 1963, before pursuing his medical training at He completed a transitional year internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1967 to 1968, followed by a Dermatology residency at NYU Grossman School of Medicine from 1970 to 1973 — one of the country’s premier dermatology training programs. He then undertook a Fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Research at Rockefeller University Hospital from 1974 to 1977, further distinguishing himself as a physician-scientist at the intersection of dermatology, pharmacology, and translational research.

Dr. Bickers practices within the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York — one of the world’s most prestigious academic medical institutions — at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, which holds the distinction of being ranked #1 in New York and a member of the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll. His publication record is extraordinary and represents one of the most substantial bodies of scholarship in the entire field of dermatology, spanning decades of research on skin disease, photobiology, pharmacology, and cancer. His professional awards and honors are equally extensive, reflecting a career of sustained excellence and national and international recognition.

Despite his towering academic stature, patients consistently describe Dr. Bickers as genuinely attentive, generous with his time, and exceptionally clear and thorough in his clinical approach — earning a perfect 5 out of 5 patient rating across all experience categories and five patient awards including Patients’ Top Choice, Makes Time For Patients, Listens Attentively, Clearly Explains, and Performs Thorough Exams. He holds an active New York State Medical License through 2026, accepts NY State Medicaid, and is currently welcoming new patients. Telehealth services may be available — patients are encouraged to call for details.

• Over 20 years (and over 50 years total) of dermatology clinical and academic experience
• MD from University of Virginia School of Medicine
• AB in Classics from Georgetown University
• Residency in Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine
• Fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Research at Rockefeller University Hospital
• Practices at NewYork-Presbyterian, ranked #1 in New York and on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll
• One of the most extensively published dermatologists in the United States
• Recipient of an extraordinary number of professional awards and honors
• Perfect 5/5 patient rating — five patient awards including Patients’ Top Choice
• Active NY State Medical License through 2026
• Currently accepting new patients

Education & Training

Undergraduate: AB in Classics, Georgetown University (1959–1963)

Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine – MD

Internship: Transitional Year, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (1967–1968)

Residency: Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine (1970–1973)

Fellowship: Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Research, Rockefeller University Hospital (1974–1977)

Medical Conditions Treated

• Psoriasis and psoriatic skin diseases
• Skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
• Eczema and atopic dermatitis
• Acne and acne scarring
• Rosacea and inflammatory skin conditions
• Vitiligo and pigmentation disorders
• Contact dermatitis and allergic skin reactions
• Drug reactions and cutaneous adverse events to medications
• Photosensitivity disorders and photodermatoses
• Porphyria and metabolic skin diseases
• Rare and complex dermatological conditions
• Pre-cancerous skin lesions (actinic keratosis)
• Skin discoloration and cosmetic skin concerns
• Seborrheic dermatitis and chronic inflammatory conditions

Medical Procedures Performed

• Comprehensive skin cancer screenings and full-body dermatological evaluations
• Skin biopsies and complex lesion evaluations
• Excision of malignant and benign skin lesions
• Phototherapy and photochemotherapy (PUVA)
• Cryosurgery for lesions and pre-cancerous conditions
• Patch testing for contact and drug-related dermatitis
• Laser therapy for skin conditions
• Cosmetic dermatology consultations
• Clinical pharmacology-based treatment planning for complex skin conditions
• Management of drug-induced skin reactions
• Rare skin disease evaluation and second opinion consultations
• Multidisciplinary dermatology care coordination within Columbia University Medical Center
• Telehealth dermatology consultations (availability subject to confirmation)

Services Offered

Dr. Bickers offers a uniquely distinguished range of dermatological services at Columbia University Medical Center — one of the world’s foremost academic medical institutions — providing patients in New York City and beyond with access to the highest level of dermatological expertise available anywhere in the country. His specialty in clinical pharmacology and clinical research, combined with his extraordinary publication record, positions him as a dermatologist with unmatched depth of knowledge in the treatment of complex, rare, and refractory skin conditions that may not respond well to standard treatments. Whether consulting on a straightforward skin condition or providing a second opinion on a complex or puzzling dermatological case, Dr. Bickers brings a lifetime of scholarly excellence and genuine clinical attentiveness to every patient encounter.

His services include:

• Comprehensive Dermatology Consultations – thorough evaluation and expert diagnosis of all medical skin conditions, including complex and rare presentations
• Skin Cancer Screening & Management – full-body skin cancer evaluations and surgical management of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
• Medical Dermatology – long-term management of psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea, vitiligo, and other chronic inflammatory skin conditions
• Phototherapy & Photochemotherapy – PUVA and other light-based treatments for psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, and photosensitivity disorders
• Clinical Pharmacology Consultation – expert evaluation and management of drug-induced skin reactions and medication-related dermatological conditions
• Rare & Complex Skin Disease Management – subspecialty evaluation of porphyria, photodermatoses, and other unusual or refractory skin conditions
• Second Opinion Consultations – expert review of complex, ambiguous, or previously unresolved dermatological diagnoses
• Pre-Cancerous Lesion Treatment – monitoring and treatment of actinic keratoses and other pre-malignant conditions
• Pigmentation & Discoloration Management – individualized care for vitiligo, melasma, and other skin pigmentation disorders
• Contact Dermatitis & Patch Testing – evaluation and allergen identification for skin reactions caused by medications, chemicals, and environmental exposures
• Academic Medicine Access – patients benefit directly from Dr. Bickers’ extraordinary body of published research and his position at one of the world’s leading academic dermatology programs
• Telehealth Dermatology Consultations – remote care services potentially available; patients are encouraged to call for details
• NY State Medicaid Accessible Care – accepting Medicaid to ensure access to world-class academic dermatological expertise for all eligible patients

Accepted Insurances

• NY State Medicaid (Medicaid)

Patients are strongly encouraged to contact the practice directly at 1-329-215-0466 to confirm current insurance acceptance and any additional plans that may be accepted.

Practice Locations

Location 1 Address: 161 Fort Washington Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10032 Phone: 1-329-215-0466

Hospital Affiliations

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell – New York, NY (U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll | Ranked #1 in New York)