Your health. Your hometown.
Our Providers
Ted G Van Acker, DO, FAOCD, FAAD
Ted G Van Acker, DO, spent his undergraduate years studying Medical Technology at Michigan State University College of Natural Sciences. He then earned his doctorate degree from Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan in 1992. He completed his Internal Medicine internship at the Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan and his dermatology residency through the American Osteopathic Association in Kansas City, Missouri. He is Board Certified through the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology.
Dr. Van Acker founded Southern Illinois Dermatology in 1996. He and his associates have been providing dermatologic services to the southern Illinois region for almost 30 years. He began as a single office in Herrin, Illinois and Southern Illinois Dermatology now has 14 locations throughout our region.
He is a member of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, American Osteopathic Association, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and is a Clinical Assistant Professor for Southern Illinois University. Dr Van Acker has earned the prestigious honor of being inducted as a Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, and as a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Van Acker has served as a consultant to most major dermatologic drug companies.
He specializes in advanced surgical excision and cosmetic repair of skin cancers. He has performed over 40,000 advanced tissue transfers and has greater than 30 years of commitment to the field of Dermatology.
Derek Kenneaster, MD
Derek Kenneaster, MD, grew up in Effingham, Illinois where he graduated as valedictorian from Effingham High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating with Phi Beta Kappa and University Honors. He earned his Medical Degree with honors from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. He also received honors from the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Kenneaster completed an Internship and Dermatology Residency in Springfield, Illinois. He is Board Certified through The American Board of Dermatology.
Dr. Kenneaster has 25 years of dermatology experience, having practiced in Champaign, IL, and South Florida, before joining Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2010.
He previously served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine in Urbana-Champaign and has authored articles published in medical journals. He has been quoted several times in InStyle magazine. Dr. Kenneaster is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology. He specializes in the treatment of skin, hair, and nail disorders in both adult and pediatric patients.
Gerri Dyer, FNP-BC
Gerri Dyer is a graduate of Wayne City High School in Wayne City, Illinois. In 1996, she earned her associate degree in Nursing from Jewish Hospital College of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. While working as a registered nurse in the hospital and public health department she earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing from McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois. In December 2003, she earned her Master’s degree in Nursing, specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Gerri is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Gerri joined Southern Illinois Dermatology as an RN in 2002 while working toward her Master’s degree. She has been a Family Nurse Practitioner with us since receiving her degree in 2003. Gerri currently sees patients in our Herrin and Carbondale, Illinois locations.
Gerri resides in Carbondale with her husband, Rich, their children Riley, Eli and Chloe. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and sporting events.
Joshua Loyd, FNP-BC
Joshua Loyd graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. He then earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky in 2023 where he received his Family Nurse Practitioner degree. He is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Josh worked several years as an Emergency Dept -RN before completing his degree and joined Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2023. He currently sees patients from our Harrisburg, Herrin and DuQuoin locations.
Shanda Swagler, FNP-BC
Shanda is a high school graduate of Salem Community High School. She graduated from Kaskaskia College with her Associate’s Degree in Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse while obtaining her Bachelor of Science Degree from McKendree College. Shanda graduated with her Master’s Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2008.
Shanda was awarded dean’s list multiple times during her first 4 years of college. She achieved the presidential list (4.0 grade average) throughout the entire Family Nurse Practitioner program and was granted the certificate of achievement for academic honors. Shanda is a member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) and certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Shanda joined Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2008. She currently sees patients in our Salem and Vandalia, Illinois locations.
Shanda loves being a mother and spending time with her family. She also enjoys fishing, spending time out at the lake, and reading.
Alexis Lorinskas, MPAS, PA-C
Alexis Lorinskas graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She obtained her Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Alexis joined Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2013. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages for skin care. Special interests include skin cancer removal, psoriasis, eczema, autoimmune disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, and cosmetic dermatology. She currently sees patients in our Anna, DuQuoin and Murphysboro, Illinois locations.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and reading.
Stephanie Natyshok, PA-C
Stephanie is a graduate of Frankfort Community High School. She attended Rend Lake College and Southern Illinois University after high school and received both her LPN and RN degree. In 2002, she attended the University of North Dakota where she received her Physician Assistant degree.
Stephanie began working as an RN in dermatology in 1989. She then joined Southern Illinois Dermatology when we first opened in 1996. She took a leave of absence to attend the University of North Dakota Physician Assistant program and then returned to Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2003 where she has been practicing as a Certified Physician Assistant ever since.
As an RN, Stephanie received her DNC (Dermatology Nurse – Certified) after taking the very first offered dermatology certification examination. She received the Dermik Lab Career Mobility Scholarship prior to attending Physician Assistant school. Stephanie is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. She volunteers as a preceptor for many students, including nursing, Physician Assistant and medical students from several educational facilities. She is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Stephanie sees and treats a wide variety of Dermatologic conditions of the hair, skin and nails, as well as surgical intervention when needed.
Stephanie enjoys activities with family and friends, fishing, and travel.
Rachel Sargent MPAS, PA-C
Rachel Sargent is a Southern Illinois native and a graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in 2017 with honors. She obtained her Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2009. Rachel is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Rachel has been providing dermatology services to the southern Illinois region since 2007. She joined Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2021. She currently sees patients in our Carbondale and DuQuoin, Illinois locations.
Rachel feels she brings a personal touch to diagnosing and treating various dermatological conditions from acne to skin cancer. She is also interested in discussing skin care and anti-aging treatment options, to improve her patient’s skin.
Away from work, Rachel enjoys crocheting, gardening, traveling and spending time with her husband and children.
Natalie Spiller, PA-C
Natalie Spiller graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology, and received her Master’s degree of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 2012. She is certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
She was born and raised in Steeleville, Illinois, and has been practicing as a physician assistant since 2012. She started her career as a physician assistant with Southern Illinois Dermatology, and is proud to continue working with such an outstanding and compassionate team. She is committed to providing quality care for a wide variety of dermatologic conditions and assisting patients in their cosmetic and anti-aging goals. Natalie currently sees patients in our Red Bud and Steeleville, Illinois locations.
In her free time, Natalie enjoys travelling and spending time with her family.
Christy Watson, PA-C
Christine Watson graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota where she received her Physician Assistant degree in 2004.
Christy joined Southern Illinois Dermatology as an RN in 1996 when it first opened and became a Certified Physician Assistant for the practice in 2004. She then moved out of the southern Illinois region but continued practicing in the specialty of dermatology. She then returned to Southern Illinois Dermatology in 2015 where she has been practicing as a Certified Physician Assistant ever since.
Christy is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and is licensed by the state of Illinois. Her professional affiliations include the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and the Society of Dermatology Physicians Assistants (SDPA).
As a Physician Assistant in dermatology at Southern Illinois Dermatology she evaluates and treats common skin conditions including by not limited to: acne, rosacea, eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, fungal infections and warts. She also performs minor surgeries and biopsies.
She is committed to putting patient care first and is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality of care in addressing their specific dermatological needs and concerns.
Outside of work, Christy enjoys cooking, camping and spending quality time with her husband and family.
