Meet Dr. Jeffrey A. Messenger

Dr Jeffrey Alan Messenger Midwest Dermatology Institute Michigan

Dr. Jeffrey Alan Messenger is a board-certified Dermatological Surgeon and the founder of Midwest Dermatology Institute. Since establishing MDI in 2023, he has built a growing practice now spanning three locations — Okemos, Battle Creek, and Portage — and sees patients across all three.

Dr. Messenger is a leader in skin cancer treatment, holding additional board certification in the highly specialized field of Mohs micrographic surgery — a prestigious distinction that reflects his expertise in precisely removing skin cancers while minimizing scarring and preserving healthy tissue.

He graduated first in his class from The Ohio State University in 2012, earning his M.D. with the highest distinction (summa cum laude), and completed his residency at the University of Michigan where he served as Chief Dermatology Resident.

With extensive training and a commitment to continued education, Dr. Messenger is exceptionally equipped to diagnose complex skin conditions — including rare infections, cancers, and underlying autoimmune disorders. He also serves as a faculty member at the Michigan State University College of Medicine, where he engages in research and trains future physicians.

Outside of the office, he is a loving husband and father of three who enjoys working out, live music, and family movie nights.

Battle Creek Office
Okemos Office
Portage Office
Request an appointment with Dr Jeff
Logo of the American Academy of Dermatology, featuring a dotted circle surrounding the letters "AAD" and the text "Fellow American Academy of Dermatology."

Curriculum Vitae

Experience
07/2016 – 08/2023
Messenger Dermatology, PLLC — Lansing and Battle Creek, MI
Dermatologist
09/2018 – Present
Nicholas V. Perricone, M.D., Division of Dermatology, Michigan State University — East Lansing, MI
Assistant Professor
12/2022 – Present
Midwest Dermatology Institute (MDI), PLLC — Okemos, Battle Creek, and Portage, MI
Founder / Dermatologist
Education and Training
08/2004 – 05/2008
Michigan State University — East Lansing, MI
B.S. Physiology, Bioethics and Humanities specialization
08/2008 – 06/2012
The Ohio State University College of Medicine — Columbus, OH
Medical Degree (M.D.) — Summa Cum Laude
07/2012 – 06/2013
Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center — Dearborn, MI
Transitional Year Resident
07/2013 – 06/2016
University of Michigan Health — Ann Arbor, MI
Chief Dermatology Resident
Research Activities
06/2009 – 08/2009
University of Michigan — Research Assistant
Development of a Photonumeric Scale for the Assessment of Forearm and Hand Photoaging. Co-investigators: Dana Sachs, MD and Yolanda Helfrich, MD
11/2009 – 05/2010
Ohio State University — Research Assistant
Examining Biomarkers in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma. Supervisor: Pierluigi Porcu, MD
07/2014 – 06/2016
University of Michigan — Sub-investigator
Executed clinical research projects in the Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Screened subjects, reviewed laboratory data, calculated psoriasis and atopic dermatitis severity scores. Evaluated subjects for adverse events. Principal Investigator: Yolanda Helfrich, MD
04/2017 – 06/2018
Michigan State University — Sub-investigator
Evaluated subjects for hypopigmentation in a Phase 3 study examining APL-130277 in levodopa responsive patients with Parkinson's Disease. Principal Investigator: John Goudreau, MD
Teaching Activities
July 2011
"The Art of Roundsmanship" — Ohio State University College of Medicine
July 2015
"Treatment of Advanced CTCL" — University of Michigan, Department of Dermatology
September 2015
"Dermatology Top Ten" — University of Michigan, Department of Internal Medicine
November 2015
"Clinicopathological Correlation" — University of Michigan, Department of Dermatology
November 2015
"Isotretinoin Best Practices" — University of Michigan, Department of Dermatology
April 2016
"Select Pathways/Mechanisms" — University of Michigan, Department of Dermatology
Post-Residency Lectures
April 2017
"High Yield Kodachromes" — Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI
January 2018
"Dermatology" — Integrated Health Partners, Battle Creek, MI
March 2018
"Basics of Dermatology" — DayOne Family Healthcare, Battle Creek, MI
May 2017 – 2019
Dermatology Intercession (clinical portion) — Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, MI
September 2019
"Dermatology 101" — DayOne Family Healthcare, Battle Creek, MI
September 2022
"Dermatology 101" — DayOne Family Healthcare, Battle Creek, MI
Organizational Leadership
08/2009 – 05/2010
Dermatology Interest Group, Ohio State University — Vice President
Organized monthly meetings and coordinated student involvement in the dermatology free clinic and grand rounds.
05/2011 – 05/2012
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society (AOA) Excelling Series, OSU College of Medicine — Chair
Facilitated the academic success of medical students.
01/2016 – 04/2016
Michigan Dermatological Society Spring Meeting, University of Michigan — Organizer
Organized the University of Michigan's annual dermatology conference, attended by more than 200 dermatologists from across Michigan.
Scholarly Activities
08/2014 – 06/2016
Reviewer, Faculty 1000 — University of Michigan
Critically reviewed and summarized peer-reviewed articles relevant to acne and rosacea.
Honors
2005
Member of the Honors College, Michigan State University
2008
Graduated with High Honors, Michigan State University
2011
AOA (inducted junior year), OSU College of Medicine
2012
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, OSU College of Medicine
Scholarships and Awards
2009
Outstanding Academic Merit Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
2010
Outstanding Academic Merit Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
2010
Mildred Horton Ansel Scholarship, Endowed Academic Merit Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
2011
The Laughlin-Craig Medical Scholarship, Endowed Academic Merit Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
2011
Outstanding Academic Merit Scholarship, OSU College of Medicine
2012
Academic Excellence Award, OSU College of Medicine
2017
Excellence in Teaching Award, Sparrow Family Medicine Residency, Lansing, MI
Poster Presentations
"The Evolution of T cell Lymphoma", J Messenger, P Porcu. American College of Physicians Meeting, Columbus, OH, 2009.
"The Careful Evaluation of Herpetic Lesions", J Messenger, H Wong, C Sanders, K Darabi. American College of Physicians Meeting, Columbus, OH, 2010.
"Daptomycin Induced Rhabdomyolysis", J Messenger, K Miller. American College of Physicians Meeting, Columbus, OH, 2011.
Publications
Messenger J, Porcu P. Advanced Stage CTCL, PTCL with Cutaneous Involvement. The Internet Journal of Dermatology. 2009 CME-Certified Activity.
Messenger J, Clark S, Massick S, Bechtel M. Trimethylaminuria (Fish Odor Syndrome). The J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Nov 2013; 6(11):45-48.