Nia Katechis Terezakis

Nia Terezakis, a much loved dermatologist in New Orleans since the 1970’s, left the world a more beautiful place than she found it. From her first career as an art history teacher, to her time designing and sewing Mardi Gras ball gowns to help pay her way through medical school, to her over 50 years as a world-renowned dermatologist, Nia masterfully curated every phase of her life.

Nia was recognized not only for her contributions to dermatology but also for her impeccable sense of style and charm. She has been featured in numerous publications ranging from the New York Times, Boston Globe, and U.S. News and World Report to Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan. Known for her gracious Southern hospitality, she enjoyed hosting opulent events and intimate dinner parties, reflecting her flair for aesthetics and love of the arts. Her lifestyle centered around art, food, and fashion, and left a lasting impression on her community.

She was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Greek parents. Her father started his restaurant, Chris’ Hot Dogs, in 1917 on Dexter Avenue, where Martin Luther King, Jr. accepted his call to ministry and Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat. Her parents named her Ourania for the Greek goddess of astronomy and the stars whose name means “heavenly.” From her father, Christopher, Nia learned tenacity and an unwavering work ethic. From her mother, Anastasia (Annie), a second generation American, she learned how art in its many forms enhanced and enriched even the simplest moments. She would drive Nia, her sister, and her three brothers on two lane roads to Atlanta and Birmingham to attend the opera and symphony and have them back for school the next morning. Nia loved watching her mother prepare meals for family and friends and subsequently dedicated her book, Artful Feast, to her mother’s memory.

Following the death of her first husband, Nia left her position as a high school art teacher. At the recommendation of a family friend, she packed all her possessions in her Volkswagen Beetle and drove to New Orleans where she enrolled in Tulane Medical School as one of two female students in the class of 1966.

Nia distinguished herself among her peers. Her medical practice in New Orleans attracted patients from across the United States and all over the world. When she offered to recommend a colleague to one of her patients who had an hours-long drive to her office, he politely declined. "I look at the attention to detail in how you decorate your office and in the care you take with your patients, and I know I won’t get that level of attention to detail anywhere else. "

Nia’s many professional accomplishments include her pioneering work in razor blade surgery, her research combining retinol and minoxidil for hair growth, and her role as a co-developer of a retinol product now marketed under the brand name Green Cream.

One of Nia’s greatest contributions, according to some of her colleagues in the American Academy of Dermatology, was her genius in getting patient compliance using daily sunscreen. Instead of promoting the daily application of sunscreen to prevent skin cancer as her colleagues were doing, Nia convinced her patients to wear sunscreen to delay and diminish wrinkles. "To most people, skin cancer is a remote possibility, but wrinkles are a certainty. "

Affectionately known as “Dr. T.” by her patients, she also taught at Tulane Medical School and LSU Medical School holding clinical faculty positions at both. She was active nationally and internationally as a lecturer on clinical, surgical, and cosmetic issues and was often placed at the end of a program because they knew the audience would stay until the end to hear her speak. She was a guest lecturer in Europe, Indonesia, Central America, and Australia where she held an appointment as a Visiting Professor in Melbourne and Sidney. She has been a guest professor and lecturer at many U.S. medical schools and institutions including Yale, Stanford, Columbia, and the Mayo Clinic. She was a Diplomate in the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow with the American Board of Physicians, and Past President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. In 2006, she was honored with the Finnerud Award by the Dermatology Foundation for her accomplishments as a clinician and teacher.

Despite her lengthy list of accolades and professional accomplishments, Nia’s friends and family will remember her most for her warmth, generosity, and artistic flair which extended to the memorable meals and gatherings she hosted. Her gracious homes, filled with a priceless art collection she began curating as a medical student, reflected her passion for art. Nia had an eye for recognizing great art before the art market did. As a student with a limited budget, she would often subsist on simple pasta meals for months just to save up for pieces she considered special that will now be displayed in important public museums and collections including the New Orleans Museum of Art.

Nia is deeply missed by Karen O’Meallie Gundlach (Mark), the daughter she joyfully welcomed into her life through her marriage to Larry O’Meallie, her sister, Rose Karagan (James), her brother, Christos Aneste Katechis (Annette), her nieces, Anastasia Hurst, Cindy Smith (Anthony), and Jennifer Katechis, and nephews, Dimitri Karagan (Gloria), Kevin Katechis (Carolyn), Dale Katechis (Christi), Christopher James Katechis (Kathy), Randy Katechis, Theo Goodin (Michelle), Gus Katechis (Nicole), Chris Katechis, and Chase Katechis (Kelly). She is also fondly remembered by many dear friends who consider themselves part of her extended family. Nia was predeceased by her parents, Christopher and Anastasia Katechis, and her brothers, Chris Katechis and Theo Katechis.

Karen Gundlach and Kevin Katechis would like to extend special thanks to Carmen Broussard, Janis Collins, Jennifer Katechis, Constance Barkley Lewis, Carol Messersmith, Sam Rosamond, Gladin Scott, Dr. Frank Wilklow, and the numerous caregivers who eased her transition. They would also like to thank Nia’s many friends who supported her throughout this journey. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Nia’s name to the charity of your choice are appreciated.

A desire to make a difference was Nia’s driving force, and she lived her life to the fullest. Her ripple effect on those she touched is her lasting legacy. Nia was always able to burn the candle at both ends and still make it to a 6:00am manicure on her way to work. When friends would comment on her busy schedule, she was fond of saying, “I can sleep when I die.” Sweet dreams, Nia. Enjoy your well-earned rest.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11 :00AM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:30AM. The interment will be private.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com