Cara B. Garretson, MD

Cara B. Garretson, MD

5.0 
1907 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Dermatology

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Reasons to Schedule a Visit

This medical professional may be a good choice for you if you are looking for care for any of the following:

  • Acne (adult or teenager)
  • Bacterial skin infection (cellulitis)
  • Blisters (pemphigus)
  • Bug bites
  • Cyst or abscess
  • Dark skin patches (melasma)
  • Eczema (dry, itchy or bumpy skin)
  • Genital concerns, male
  • Genital conditions, female
  • Hair follicle that is inflamed or infected (folliculitis)
  • Hair loss (alopecia)
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa
  • History of melanoma
  • Inflamed cyst (swollen, red or painful cyst)
  • Itchy, peeling or red skin
  • Mole or lesion evaluation
  • Mole that is bleeding
  • Nail evaluation
  • Noncancerous skin tumor (seborrheic keratosis)
  • Psoriasis
  • Rash
  • Redness or flushing of face (rosacea)
  • Scar tissue (keloid)
  • Skin allergies or hives
  • Skin cancer concern
  • Skin color loss (vitiligo)
  • Skin complications from radiation or chemo (cancer treatments)
  • Skin dark spots (hyperpigmentation)
  • Skin exam for full body
  • Skin fungus
  • Skin immune systems conditions (sarcoidosis, granuloma, morphea, scleroderma)
  • Skin inflammation (atopic/contact dermatitis)
  • Skin tag removal
  • Sun spots (actinic keratosis)
  • Sweating excessively (hyperhidrosis)
  • Viral skin infection (molluscum)
  • Warts
  • White bumps on skin (milia)

Education

Medical Education:
MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine - 2005
Internship:
University of Louisville School of Medicine - 2006
Residency:
University of Kansas School of Medicine - 2009

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Dermatology - Dermatology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Clinical Instructor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

5.0
5.0 

1907 Ratings

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Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

Sort By Newest
100 Most Recent Reviews

April 29, 2025

5.0

She's wonderful . Caring and wants you to achieve good results

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April 29, 2025

5.0

Very caring, patient and helpful. Have had many improvements with her and expertise.

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April 28, 2025

5.0

She is always helpful and thorough with her explanations.

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April 22, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson is always so knowledgeable and friendly. Makes me feel completely at easy with confidence that I get the best care possible.

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April 22, 2025

5.0

See above comments. She is very accommodating to all my needs and questions. Never rushed thru exams or procedures. Extremely knowledgeable

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April 20, 2025

5.0

Quality care; thorough explanation of issues and treatment

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April 19, 2025

5.0

friendly and thorough

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April 16, 2025

5.0

Thorough, polite, easy to talk to

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April 15, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson was very thorough and answered all of my questions

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April 13, 2025

5.0

Timely, thorough, kind and helpful

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April 08, 2025

5.0

She was always very friendly and does an excellent job. I see her at least once a year for a skin check of my moles and she is very thorough and friendly. Highly recommend her to anyone.

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April 08, 2025

5.0

Because ,Doctor Garretson and her team of staff they work hard togather...very considered and making sure that Iam satisfied with my progress. And if there anything she can do to help things heal properly. SHE HAS MY BEST INTREST at hand.We need more Doctors like her and her staff. Sincerely,Geneva

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April 07, 2025

5.0

She listens to my questions and concerns, and I feel that I get thorough and quality care from her.

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April 06, 2025

5.0

Great doctor

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April 06, 2025

5.0

Really friendly, explained things well.

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April 06, 2025

5.0

She is great always feel welcomed.

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April 02, 2025

5.0

Extremely knowledgeable. Very personable and professional

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March 31, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is the BEST, so competent and professional but also warm, kind, and personable. I've seen several dermatologists in recent years and she really stands out as truly exceptional among them all!

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March 30, 2025

5.0

Friendly, concerned and extremely complete about examinations and treatment.

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March 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. Cara Garretson, my doctor, is great, and that goes for the entire staff at the office.

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March 26, 2025

5.0

wonderful doctor

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March 25, 2025

5.0

Thorough, caring and personable. Dr Garretson answers questions thoughtfully and takes the time to make sure everything is covered.

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March 25, 2025

5.0

Waiting time was very fast! An excellent staff and Dr. Garretson is very knowledgeable.

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March 16, 2025

5.0

Kind, thoughtful, knowledgable.

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March 13, 2025

5.0

I can trust how she approaches her patients

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March 11, 2025

5.0

Really wonderful to work with. Listened to me and my needs.

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March 11, 2025

5.0

She's always on time, she listens, makes recommendations, but lets the patient have an input also. She's friendly. I never feel rushed at my appointments.

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March 10, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is very thorough, intelligent and kind.

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March 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson and her team are consistently great. They are kind, friendly and sensitive to my unique allergies. Most importantly, she provides great care. Dr. Garretson is always ready to provide suggestions for how to treat the many skin issues I come to her with, and has helped Me significantly over the 10+ years I've been going to her. She is my favorite doctor and I recommend her to people all the time!

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March 07, 2025

5.0

Very attentive, very thorough, good follow up, good communicator

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March 06, 2025

5.0

Extremely Understanding and addresses all my Concerns

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March 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is the best!

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March 04, 2025

5.0

Good doctor, professional , observant during skin checks and takes care of all my skin care needs

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March 04, 2025

5.0

See above and I have recommended her in the past

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March 03, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson is amazing.

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March 02, 2025

5.0

Very caring and thorough as she does the skin check

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March 01, 2025

5.0

Personable & thorough.

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February 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is friendly and approachable while also having great insight into dermatological conditions. She always has good suggestions for me and a path forward if those suggestions don't do the trick.

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February 24, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson takes time with me, is thoughtful and caring, and always is willing to answer questions and discuss my care. She also follows-up thoughtfully so I am supported to carry out our plans after the visit. I love her!

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February 18, 2025

5.0

Kind, listened to my questions, answered all my questions, and was very thorough.

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February 16, 2025

5.0

Extremely through. Very caring, listens. Is not in a rush.

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February 13, 2025

5.0

Smart, compassionate, helpful in every way. Always a pleasure to see her. Always a productive visit.

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February 10, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson always informs me and makes sure I understand what is being done. She is very professional and personable, always the best.

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February 10, 2025

5.0

She's very kind and I like the way she narrates the exam.

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February 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson always takes the time to listen, answer all questions, and explain treatment options in detail. She provides customized advice and treatment based on individual skin concerns and I've had a noticeable improvement in skins condition and acne after treatment and she always makes sure to follow up to ensure progress and treatment are going as expected.

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February 05, 2025

5.0

She is takes the time to listen, is thorough and professional.

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February 04, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is great, knowledgeable and takes her time. She's always been able to fit me in her schedule for emergencies.

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February 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is a very caring doctor who knows her stuff. And her office runs on time - bonus!

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January 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. G is good at explaning things clearly. She describes options in an understandable way. She is proacive about my trearment.

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January 26, 2025

5.0

I really liked how thorough of an examination Dr Garretson performed. Physician and staff very professional and friendly.

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January 23, 2025

5.0

Excellent care

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January 21, 2025

5.0

Compassionate Takes time to discuss care and answer questions Kind and caring atmosphere

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January 21, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is so kind and thorough. She provides options for care that work with you and she understands that costs are a factor in choosing care options, etc. She always makes sure you have time to ask your questions, and she provides more information when needed.

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January 20, 2025

5.0

Caring, knowledgeable, explains everything!

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January 19, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson really listens to your concerns and offers her expertise and knowledge in such an understanding way. She is a wonderful doctor and I would recommend her to anyone!

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January 18, 2025

5.0

She is undeniably the best!

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January 14, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson and her staff are always friendly and easy to talk to.

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January 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is the best! She is so knowledgable, a great listener and explains everything so clearly and patiently.

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January 07, 2025

5.0

Both Dr Garretson and the nurse had great bedside manner and Dr. Garretson took the time to answer all of my questions and gave me samples to try a new face regimen.

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January 06, 2025

5.0

very very good

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December 20, 2024

5.0

Friendly, excellent care.

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December 19, 2024

5.0

She has a good manner about her.

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December 18, 2024

5.0

Very thorough and knowledgeable. Friendly

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December 18, 2024

5.0

She is kind, thorough, and expert in the field.

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December 13, 2024

5.0

She is totally professional and caring.

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December 13, 2024

5.0

She is totally professional and caring.

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December 12, 2024

5.0

Such a wonderful doctor. Personable, caring, helpful, a great listener, and gets results.

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December 09, 2024

5.0

Dr. Garretson is kind, knowledgeable, and efficient.

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December 04, 2024

5.0

Great at explaining things. Nice human. Thorough at her job.

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December 02, 2024

5.0

Very detailed, very caring doctor.

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November 27, 2024

5.0

She is very concerned about any skin problems and makes recommendations that are helpful. Really nice physician.

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November 26, 2024

5.0

She is very knowledgeable in her profession and caring to patients.

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November 26, 2024

5.0

The office always makes time for a patient and the care is thorough and spot on

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November 25, 2024

5.0

She is kind anf takes time to answer questions.

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November 25, 2024

5.0

Very personable and professional

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November 24, 2024

5.0

Dr. Garretson listens carefully and seems to be very knowledgable.

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November 19, 2024

5.0

Like I mentioned before she and the Staff,are friendly,concerned and very patient.

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November 19, 2024

5.0

Dr. Garretson is the best - she is thorough and takes the time to explain what she's seeing. Her nurse was wonderful too!

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November 18, 2024

5.0

Dr Garretson is the full package. Smart, kind and super compassionate. She is one in a million. Glad I know her and she's my Dr

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November 12, 2024

5.0

For all the reasons I give every time I go to her. She is a dedicated physician.

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November 12, 2024

5.0

Dr. Garretson is exceptional. She is very thorough and I appreciate how she walks you through each step of the process. She is very compassionate and caring.

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November 12, 2024

5.0

Very kind and thorough.

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November 11, 2024

5.0

Dr Garretson and staff were friendly and professional. I was not rushed and they listened to all of my concerns and were very helpful.

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November 11, 2024

5.0

She provides great medical care.

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November 07, 2024

5.0

Great care, gives treatment options!

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November 06, 2024

5.0

As much of a hassle it is to get an appointment, Dr Garretson is great to work with.

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November 04, 2024

5.0

I appreciate that Dr. Garretson is thorough, has excellent clinical decision-making skills, and is a strong communicator.

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November 04, 2024

5.0

Dr. Garretson and her staff were amazing. I cannot say enough positive about my experience.

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October 31, 2024

5.0

I love Dr. Garretson. She's efficient, communicative, and happy about her work.

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October 30, 2024

5.0

Without question I would recommend her. She has a wonderful personality but also is very professional. I trust her with her information and treatments. Again, I have been her patient for over 10 years.

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October 28, 2024

5.0

Friendly, very knowledgeable, caring, and informative

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October 28, 2024

5.0

Wonderful doctor, very thoughtful

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October 26, 2024

5.0

She is the BEST

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October 24, 2024

5.0

She is extremely personable and makes it clear she truly cares about my health. She is very patient and never gives the impression she is in a hurry which I always appreciate. She also takes the time to thoroughly explain options and her recommendation. I'm a big fan!

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October 21, 2024

5.0

She's great

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October 17, 2024

5.0

Great bedside manor and explanation of my issue.

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October 17, 2024

5.0

she was great, and always have been. But the behavior of Northwestern also put more pressure on her day. And made me a problem, instead of a patient, that scheduled the apt 6 months in advance.

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October 15, 2024

5.0

She is great

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October 15, 2024

5.0

Dr Garretson is highly qualified

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October 15, 2024

5.0

She is excellent in every way. When I leave, I feel very comfortable that she has given me an excellent, thorough exam.

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Disclosures

Cara B. Garretson, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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