Dr. Cavanagh is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and has been living and practicing in Olympia since 2005. She is originally from Pennsylvania and graduated from Vassar College. She completed her medical degree at the Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University) and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Initially, she was interested in Family Medicine but during her residency, she found she was very interested in diseases of the skin. After completing her first residency in Family Medicine, she completed 3 years of residency in Dermatology at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA.
She enjoys all aspects of dermatology including treatment of skin conditions such as acne, rashes, and skin cancer. She has been very active in the Washington State Dermatology Association, serving as both Treasurer and President and has worked with the Washington State Legislature for four years in an attempt to ban indoor tanning for minors. She has also served at a national level on the State Policy Committee of the American Academy of Dermatology.
She has done extensive volunteer work both in the US and abroad, providing free laser tattoo removals for former gang and prison members and as well has traveled to Peru on several occasions to volunteer her medical services to a rural clinic near Cusco. She currently serves on the board of the Mayday foundation, a local charity that aims to financially support families affected by cancer. Together with her father, Dr. Cavanagh started a non-profit called the Wakatinku foundation, which is aimed to improve the lives of young people in rural Peru. They are proud of the fact that in April of 2018, they opened a beautiful preschool with new flush toilets and running water in a small community that previously had a very small and overcrowded one room preschool.
When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and two boys, family and friends and enjoys traveling, reading, and is a dedicated exerciser.
Lauren completed her training at the Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, CA. She earned a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2016 and became board certified by the NCCPA. After thriving in a busy emergency department for 2 years, she found her passion after transitioning to a dermatology practice in Long Beach, CA.
Lauren understands the importance of skin cancer prevention and diligent screening from her personal experience with family diagnoses of Melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Lauren’s prior clinical experience focused on biologic medications and Isotretinoin (Accutane). She managed nearly 95% of her former practice’s patients on these medications. Her extensive knowledge and interests consist of acne, eczema, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and skin cancer. She enjoys treating a wide range of dermatologic conditions. Lauren has found great fulfillment in being a dermatology PA and helping her patients feel confident in their own skin.
Outside of providing unparalleled patient care, her passions include spending time with her husband, their active 5-year-old son, and two dogs.
