Katarina Kesty, 36

Dr. Katarina Kesty's love for the medical profession can be traced back to her childhood. 

The daughter of two ophthalmologists, Kesty says her parents instilled in her from a young age that "the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered" — an ideal she's carried with her as she's grown to become one of the premier dermatologists in the region, known for her innovative work in cosmetic lasers and her pioneering use of AI to enhance laser care.

Photo by Mark Wemple

Kesty is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellowship-trained cosmetic and laser surgeon — one of a few in the Tampa Bay area to have both credentials. After years of training at Wake Forest University, and a dermatology residency and a fellowship in cosmetic dermatologic surgery in New York, Kesty decided to bring her skills back home and opened her own practice, St. Petersburg Skin and Laser. 

"What really sets Kat apart is her drive to push boundaries and share her knowledge," says Jared Taylor of AI-tech company Magical Lama, who nominated Kesty for the 40 under 40 issue. "She didn’t just build a busy practice — she built a place where patients trust her and fellow physicians come to learn from her. She’s a mentor to dermatology residents and early-career dermatologists, teaching cutting-edge techniques in lasers, energy-based devices and injectables."

Kesty's practice offers more than 75 different devices and procedures, making her a local leader in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. She is also double board certified in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, a specialized technique for treating skin cancer with the highest cure rates and best cosmetic outcomes. 

Kesty's influence also goes beyond her clinic: She is an expert reviewer for major medical journals and she herself has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles on cosmetic and laser dermatology, including eight in 2025 alone. She also serves as a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of South Florida and HCA Florida Hospital where she teaches residents about laser technologies and serves on staff for those entities' dermatology departments.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Kesty finds time to volunteer at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, providing access to quality dermatologic care.