About David Alvarez Cespedes, MD
Dr. David Alvarez Cespedes is a board-eligible dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. He provides comprehensive dermatologic care for both inpatients and outpatients, with a particular interest in complex medical dermatology, hair loss and disorders of the scalp, infectious diseases in dermatology, the cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases and therapies, and skin conditions in diverse populations.
Dr. Alvarez Cespedes graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami, earning dual degrees in Microbiology and Immunology and Economics. He subsequently completed his medical degree at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was a Roy and Diana Vagelos Scholar and received the Dean's Award for Outstanding Contributions. During medical school as part of a dual degree program, he also earned a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
He completed his internal medicine internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and his dermatology residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami, where he served as Academic Chief Resident and led the residency's educational curriculum. His clinical training included diverse experiences across the Jackson Health System, the University of Miami Health System, the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Alvarez Cespedes's research interests include tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, dermatopathology/clinicopathologic correlation, and the dermatologic manifestations of systemic diseases and therapies. He has published in leading journals, including Science Advances, JAMA Dermatology, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and The Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Dedicated to community health, Dr. Alvarez Cespedes has provided free skin cancer screenings and dermatologic care at health fairs throughout South Florida. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and is committed to delivering compassionate and culturally sensitive care to all patients.
Clinical Interests:
- Acne
- Clinicopathologic correlation
- Complex Medical Dermatology
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- HIV dermatology
- Infectious diseases in dermatology
- LGBTQ and Transgender Skin Issues
- Neutrophilic dermatoses
- Oncodermatology
- Systemic disease, skin manifestations
- Tropical skin disorders
- Vasculitis
Treats:
- Adult & Pediatrics
Languages:
- Spanish
Locations
Mass General Dermatology
50 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-2914
Medical Education
- MD, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
- Residency, Jackson Memorial Hospital/ University of Miami
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Medicaid CT
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare ACO
- Tufts Health Plan
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Publications
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**Glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist medications and hair loss: A retrospective cohort study**Burke O, Sa B, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Sechi A, Tosti A. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025 May;92(5):1141?1143.PMID:?39863171Click Here
**Characteristics of Hispanic Patients With Dermatomyositis**Lin RR, Williams KN, Warp PV, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Elman SA, Maderal A. JAMA Dermatol. 2024 Sep;160(9):1006?1007.PMID:?39141393Click Here
**Posaconazole induced phototoxic drug reaction: A case report**Lin RR, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Milikowski C, Elman SA. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024 Jan;40(1):e12949.PMID:?38288768Click Here
**Engineering edgeless human skin with enhanced biomechanical properties**Pappalardo A, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Fang S, et al. Sci Adv. 2023 Jan 27;9(4):eade2514.PMID:?36706190Click Here
**Ixazomib as treatment for pyoderma gangrenosum associated with IgA smoldering multiple myeloma**Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Gallitano SM, Bhutani D. Ann Hematol. 2022 Feb;101(2):441?442.PMID:?33860355Click Here
**Quantitative Evaluation of Human Umbilical Vein and iPSC Derived Endothelial Cells as an Alternative Cell Source to Skin Specific Endothelial Cells in Engineered Skin Grafts**Pappalardo A, Herron L, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, Abaci HE. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2021 Sep;10(9):490?502.PMID:?32870778Click Here
**Targeting the JAK/STAT3 pathway with Ruxolitinib in a mouse model of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa squamous cell carcinoma**Jack?w J, Rami A, Hayashi R, Pappalardo A, Alvarez?Cespedes?DA, et?al. J Invest Dermatol. 2021 Apr;141(4):942?946.PMID:?33069729Click Here
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
A Top Hospital in America
Mass General is recognized as a top hospital on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2025-2026.
