Range of COVID-19 skin signs linked to disease severity
Certain skin changes may be the only sign of COVID-19 infection, or may accompany or follow other COVID-19 symptoms, an analysis of data from 716 patients in 31 countries shows.
Esther Freeman, MD, PhD
About Esther Freeman, MD, PhD
Esther E. Freeman MD, PhD, DTM&H is Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and a board-certified dermatologist. Dr. Freeman attended Dartmouth College, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude. She received both an MSc and a PhD in infectious disease epidemiology as a British Marshall Scholar at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom. She received her medical degree (MD) from Harvard Medical School. She completed her internship at Lahey Clinic, followed by dermatology residency at Harvard Medical School. In addition, she received her Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) from the Gorgas Memorial Institute in Peru.
Dr. Freeman is a physician-scientist performing epidemiological research in the area of HIV dermatology and global health. Her particular area of interest is in HIV-associated malignancies including Kaposi’s sarcoma. She has received the most highly cited author award in Epidemiology in AIDS. She is a consultant to the World Health Organization in Geneva in the area of HIV-associated skin disease and at MGH is the Director of Global Health Dermatology.
Since 2020, Dr. Freeman has been researching the effects of COVID-19 on the skin, in collaboration with the American Academy of Dermatology and the International League of Dermatologic Societies. In addition to her research papers on COVID-19 dermatology, her work has been cited extensively in the lay press, including the New York Times, The Washington Post, and National Public Radio.
In addition to general medical dermatology, her clinical interests include infectious diseases of the skin (especially HIV-related disease, leishmaniasis and COVID-19).
Departments, Centers, & Programs:
Clinical Interests:
- Dermatology (general)
- Global health
- HIV dermatology
- Infectious diseases in dermatology
- Internal medicine, dermatologic disorders
Treats:
- Adult & Pediatrics
Languages:
- Italian, Spanish
Locations
Mass General Dermatology
50 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-2914
Medical Education
- MD, Harvard Medical School
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
American Board Certifications
- Dermatology, American Board of Dermatology
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Excellent, compassionate.
Dr freeman and her fellow were outstanding
Really like Dr. Freeman and relating to a patient.
Dr. Freeman and her fellow were very personable and thorough. I felt that my physical examination of potential areas of dermatological concern were addressed with earnestness and interest. For apractice that I know is on a tight schedule, I felt I got very good attention.
Very dedicated and helpful
Always feel well attended to when I visit Dr. Freeman
I think Esther Freeman is phenomenal, and the MGH dermatology staff is appropriately top-notch.
I appreciate the quality of this health examination skin screening and the wisdom of experience from Dr. Freeman
Always friendly and thoughtful.
Very competent and caring physician