Clarus Physicians and Physician Assistants
Neil A. Shah, MD, FAAD
FOUNDER & MEDICAL DIRECTOR; ADJUNCT CLINICAL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Dr. Shah is a board-certified dermatologist and Medical Director of Clarus Dermatology. Prior to establishing Clarus Dermatology, Dr. Shah started the dermatology department for HealthEast Clinics. His clinical practice interests include skin cancer and reconstructive surgery, and medical and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Shah teaches physician assistants from the Bethel University and remains active with educating his peers in practice management and cutaneous surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Medical Association, a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Dr. Shah is a 2007 graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Shah completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. with an internship in internal medicine. Before medical school, he graduated magna cum laude from Ursinus College with departmental honors in Biology. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society, and the Sigma Xi research honor society.
A former director of the Twin Cities Medical Society, he also served as a member of the Policy Council for the Minnesota Medical Association. He is past president of the Minnesota Dermatological Society as well as president of Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine.
Erin Layne, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Erin Layne, MPAS, PA-C earned her Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Before that, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Dakota (leading to Erin’s frequent cheer,”Go Sioux!”).
Erin began her career as a Physician Assistant in urgent care serving Richmond, Virginia and surrounding communities. In that role, she gained a wide range of experiences, including management of a variety of patient illnesses. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant, Erin trained as a medical assistant in a dermatology office. She developed a passion for the specialty and knew she wanted to further her career in the dermatology field as a Physician Assistant.
Erin and her husband enjoy spending time with their dogs, Leo and Ruby, traveling, spending time on the lake, and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Esther Ajayi, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Esther Ajayi, MPAS, PA-C earned her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from University of St. Francis. Prior to PA school, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from University of North Dakota, then continued her education at Midwestern University where she earned her Masters in Biomedical Science.
Esther became interested in Dermatology prior to PA school and worked as a medical assistant in a dermatology office where she gained years of experience and skill sets. She has a special interest in medical dermatology along with cosmetic procedures and strives to make sure her patients look and feel their best.
Following PA school, Esther moved back to Minnesota. When she’s not caring for patients, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Heather Guertin, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
After returning home to Minnesota, Heather Guertin, MPAS, PA-C, started her career in emergency medicine. In that role, Heather encountered patients with a wide variety of health conditions for whom she diagnosed the cause of illness and established a treatment plan to improve their condition. As she cared for patients, she discovered a passion for dermatology, which she began pursuing as her specialty. In addition to her general dermatology skills, Heather has a specific interest and talent in cosmetic dermatology, listening to her patients’ goals and concerns and formulating a plan to achieve the best cosmetic results. Her favorite cosmetic procedures include Botox, dermal fillers, and chemical peels. In her spare time, Heather enjoys being outdoors, drinking coffee, camping, and hiking. She also loves spending time with her husband and two young daughters.
Heather earned her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, Massachusetts where she graduated with honors. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Katelyn Krueger, MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Katelyn Krueger, MPAS, PA-C, enjoys treating a variety of skin issues, helping others feel confident in their skin. She strives for early detection and prevention of skin cancer. Katelyn’s practice model is based upon informed decision making, which involves educating patients about their options and working with them to create a treatment plan.
Katelyn earned a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Dakota. Prior to PA school, she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiologic Sciences from North Dakota State University and worked in radiology for four years as an IR and CT Technologist. Katelyn became interested in dermatology early on in PA school as she dealt with some skin issues herself. She chose to do an elective rotation with Clarus Dermatology and loved the variety of medical, procedural, and cosmetic dermatology.
After ten years in North Dakota, Katelyn and her husband moved back to central Minnesota to live out their dreams of spending summers at the lake as well as to be closer to their families. Together they enjoy lake activities, campfires, snowboarding, hockey, and traveling. They may usually be found accompanied by their little dachshund, Waylon. Katelyn enjoys trail running, reading, and cooking. She dreams of compiling her very own cookbook one day.
Terra Fodstad, MMS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Terra Fodstad, MMS, PA-C has been practicing as a physician assistant for the past five years. She received her Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona in 2017. She began her medical career in Arizona where she practiced in pediatrics for 4 years. While working with youth, Terra found her passion for treating skin conditions in her patients and transitioned her practice to dermatology.
Terra enjoys treating all ages of patients to help them feel confident in their skin by managing a wide range of skin conditions. Terra seeks to develop a patient-provider relationship that includes shared decision making, and she takes pride in educating her patients regarding their skin concerns.
Terra is happy to be back in her home state of Minnesota where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Winona State University. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her young daughter, husband, and their dog. In her free time, Terra enjoys reading, baking, barre classes, and traveling.