Diana D. Parnell, MD
The Institute’s founder, Diana D. Parnell, MD, is a board certified dermatologist with extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic, laser and liposuction surgery as well as general dermatology. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Parnell earned her MD degree at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. She interned, trained in and taught dermatology at the University of Wisconsin before moving to Marin County. She has served on the faculty of the University of California San Francisco Medical School for over 25 years, most recently as Assistant Clinical Professor. She is on the medical staff at Marin General Hospital.
Dr. Parnell has had extensive laser experience since 1986, and presently has 13 lasers in daily use. She is a member of the National Educational Faculty for Botox, which means that she is certified by the manufacturer, Allergan, to train other physicians in the administration of Botox® Cosmetic. She has served as an industry consultant and has trained other physicians to use lasers and perform liposuction. She has given numerous presentations not only at medical events, but also at forums throughout Marin County.
Dr. Diana Parnell and her husband, Francis Parnell, an otolaryngologist, co-founded Parnell Pharmaceuticals and Y.S. Laboratories. They research and create pharmaceuticals to sustain wellness and improve quality of life. This includes products for the treatment of dry mouth caused by medications, autoimmune diseases, aging and cancer treatments such as radiation. They also developed and received a NDA (new drug approval) from the Food and Drug Administration for TAC-3 for the treatment of psoriasis in 1987. This NDA was one of only 22 drugs approved in the United States that year.
In addition to the American Academy, Dr. Parnell is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the San Francisco Dermatological Society, the Pacific Dermatologic Association, the California Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the Marin Medical Society and the California Medical Association.
Dr. Parnell was elected to the Marin Healthcare District Board in 1992 on which she served for 12 years, 7 years as Chair. She was a leader in the fight to return Marin General Hospital to community control.
She plays first violin in the Mill Valley Philharmonic.
She and her husband Francis have 5 children and 7 grandchildren.