Cara B. Garretson, MD | Northwestern Medicine

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)

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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

2061 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 26, 2026

5.0

Dr. Garretson is always prompt, professional and caring. I have and will continue to recommend her to family and friends.

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February 25, 2026

5.0

Thorough, helpful and extremely nice

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February 23, 2026

5.0

She has helped with my skin issues and I feel like she thoroughly addresses my concerns and provides options.

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February 23, 2026

5.0

I appreciate the attention from the doctor; she is an excellent professional.

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Dr Garretson is very thorough and clearly explains procedures and what to expect. She is always on time and has excellent patience with patients

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February 18, 2026

5.0

Thorough and professional

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February 17, 2026

5.0

I like how she always narrates what she's doing and explains as she goes. Very friendly and kind.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Excellent, competent, personable care!

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February 16, 2026

5.0

Kind and so knowledgeable.

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February 11, 2026

5.0

I think she's great.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

She is kind, patient and thorough.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Friendly, thorough and proactive

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February 07, 2026

5.0

Friendly and personable; and thorough and responsive to questions

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February 05, 2026

5.0

She is always on time unless an emergency arises. She is gentle and one of the kindest doctors I know.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Very approachable and kind

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Dr Garreston is the best! Takes time etc

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Attentive excellent care and concern for patients

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Great listener. Always helpful with any issue. On top of current treatments. Offers options.

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February 01, 2026

5.0

The Dr. is thorough, takes good measurements, listens, and offers suggestions and treatment options.

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January 30, 2026

5.0

Dr Garretson is so knowledgeable and so caring. She goes above and beyond the job description for a dermatologist. Her compassion and empathy is so sincere it just makes her that more special

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January 28, 2026

5.0

Great

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January 27, 2026

5.0

Professional, sense of humor, listened to my questions and explained what and why she was doing things

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January 27, 2026

5.0

Accommodating, always helps with questions, conscientious and warm.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

Thorough examination and friendly

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January 21, 2026

5.0

Very thorough and thoughtful. Explains everything very well. Works closely with the patient on all questions and concerns!

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January 21, 2026

5.0

Dr. Garretson is outstanding, knowledgeable and takes time to explain what she is doing.sge constantly asks if the patient has any questions.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Dr Garretson is very thorough And puts you at ease. Allows time for you to ask questions.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Excellent MD. Very thourough and knowledgible.

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January 18, 2026

5.0

Dr Garrettson is thorough and patient.

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January 16, 2026

5.0

Dr. Garretson provides personable and excellent care.

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Remembers everything about my medical situation. Very involved with keeping current with me.

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January 13, 2026

5.0

Addressed my concerns in professional manner.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

She explains everything well, gives plenty of options, and takes time to explain anything she covers in great detail

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January 11, 2026

5.0

Dr. Garretson was really helpful and answered all of my questions and concerns.

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January 10, 2026

5.0

She is extremely thorough and knowledgeable. She spends the time necessary to deal with your particular situation. She follows through with any subsequent questions.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

Cara is the best. She is exceptional.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

She just covered everything that so made the appt for plus more. I learned a few things and it was a comprehensive appt.

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January 05, 2026

4.0

I think she's great with kids and teens!

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December 19, 2025

5.0

See above. Most recently, Dr Garretson worked hard to fit me in for a follow up visit when a family matter disrupted my previously scheduled appointment.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

She is excellent/so thorough

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December 17, 2025

5.0

Caring, knowledgeable and patient.

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December 13, 2025

5.0

The best dermatologist. Ever.

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December 08, 2025

5.0

Outstanding - Dr. Garretson goes above and beyond to help. She did an amazing thorough skin check that left me confident that all was okay. I love that we have a plan of action for care. She makes wonderful suggestions... I am blessed to be one of her patients!!!

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December 07, 2025

5.0

Best doctor ever

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December 03, 2025

5.0

Competent, flexible and personable

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December 01, 2025

5.0

Patient, friendly and knowledgeable!

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November 26, 2025

5.0

Location

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November 25, 2025

5.0

Caring approach, listening, offering multiple solutions for issues

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November 23, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is a terrific doctor. She is friendly, kind, reassuring, knowledgable. And she really lilstens.

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November 23, 2025

5.0

She is totally knowledgeable and caring.

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November 22, 2025

5.0

She is caring and very thorough

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November 21, 2025

5.0

She's awesome friendly and caring

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November 20, 2025

5.0

Super personable, willing to consider all possible treatment options

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November 20, 2025

5.0

Among other attributes, she is thorough, explains diagnosis and treatment options well, and always treats me with respect

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Thorough and kind.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is very thorough in her approach to care of my skin and how it impacts my overall wellbeing. She is an excellent patient educator.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson is a great doctor, answers all questions.

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November 16, 2025

5.0

professional, good communication

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr Garretson is friendly and thorough.

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November 07, 2025

5.0

very throrough, caring answers all questions and makes sure I leave with a thorough exam. personable and professional.

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November 05, 2025

5.0

I have had Dr. Garretson as my dermatologist for over 15 years. She has spotted two growths which required surgery to correct. She is very dedicated to her job and very compassionate.

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November 03, 2025

5.0

She has the best bedside manner. Is very friendly, caring, thorough and runs on time. She gives me all the time I need to address problems, explains conditions and treatments and puts me at ease.

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Great attention to detail

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Great care. Good communicator.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Thorough/ I like her.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Totally present

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October 27, 2025

5.0

As I said before, Dr G and her team are fabulous.

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Because she is a great doctor and cares about her patients.

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October 22, 2025

5.0

Pleasant and willing to listen. Explained treatment carefully and welcomed future communication

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October 21, 2025

5.0

Again, excellent concern ,treatment, and expalnations.

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October 21, 2025

5.0

Great doctor

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October 16, 2025

5.0

She takes the time for exam and explains everything. Also her personality is very positive.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

Very thorough and polite.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

She is just so thorough and so nice and on time and really good at what she does

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October 15, 2025

5.0

Cara Garretson is a wonderful doc & human

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October 10, 2025

5.0

great doctor. attentive and thorough.

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October 01, 2025

5.0

She is professional, kind, warm, caring and personable. She never rushes and takes all the time you need to answer questions.

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October 01, 2025

5.0

Love her thoroughness , kind& sweet & spends time

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September 30, 2025

5.0

Professional, empathetic

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Has been a wonderful, knowledgeable provider for me many years.

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September 25, 2025

5.0

Really helpful and attentive. Asks questions and makes useful recommendations in providing care.

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September 24, 2025

5.0

very kind, continues to be warm and thorough in examination

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September 22, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson is wonderful. She explains everything she is doing and answers all questions. She is patient and does not rush the exam

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September 20, 2025

5.0

Absolutely, one of the most caring physicians I have ever had.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson takes great care and explains everything throughout the exam. I can't imagine seeing anyone else!

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Nice, thorough, knowledgeable. What else could I ask for

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September 16, 2025

5.0

She was great. She listened and was so nice and caring.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Always a pleasure seeing her. Always very helpful.

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September 13, 2025

5.0

She's very professional, takes time to answer questions and is very personable.

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September 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Garretson always creates a safe space and is very easy to talk to.

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September 10, 2025

5.0

She is amazing. It takes very good care of my body.

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Explains everything, discusses treatment plans, considerate of health concernsl

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Friendly, professional

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Quick, helpful, gets the job done.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

Professional and personable

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August 25, 2025

5.0

She's wonderful! Takes time to answer my questions and concerns.

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August 25, 2025

5.0

personable, attentive, clear communication, effective

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August 23, 2025

5.0

Always attentive, concerned, explains details well. Always nice reassuring manner.

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August 19, 2025

5.0

14 years of terrific care

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August 11, 2025

5.0

She is a wonderful doctor! Great attention to detail!

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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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