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| Melanoma is often preventable, but in the USA, melanoma kills about one person every hour. |
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This is an important question, especially if you have |
| fair skin and have sunburned. Skin cancer is the number one cancer in humans, far exceeding the total of all other cancers. |
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Red heads, blondes, and people with light colored eyes are |
| at greatest risk for skin cancer. Melanoma usually starts in a mole, and other skin cancers usually begin in untreated precancers. |
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| High school students were interviewed and asked what was most |
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| attractive. A thin body, muscles, the right hair, or clear skin. Most teens agreed that clear skin was most important. |
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A word about my Physician Assistants:
As part of our Dermatology Care Team, Dr. Alpern and myself work together with Eleni Litras, PA-C and Charity Morris, PA-C, both Dermatology Specialty Trained Physician Assistants.
What is a Physician Assistant? A physician assistant (PA) is a mid level medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor, and practices medicine with a supervising physician.
With so many needy patients, Dr. Alpern and I need help and we are so thankful for our PA’s Eleni and Charity. |
Now, when it comes to PA’s, I am very particular. For a PA to work alone in our office, I require that the PA has spent at least one year of dermatology internship side by side trained by a Board Certified dermatologist. Why? It is because our specialty of dermatology treats over 2,000 different diagnoses, and, our patients require an accurate diagnosis. I am a clinical professor at Loma Linda University, and after years of teaching, I have found that there is no substitute for on the job, side by side teaching with a skilled instructor. As a physician, to help my derm patients, I, personally, spent four years in medical school plus six years in residency.
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I learned by other doctors who showed me the way. And I understand how important it is to have teachers who go beyond books and give you real life medical education. Now, to develop a basic foundation in dermatology, it takes about a year for a general PA to learn the practical fundamentals of being a true dermatology PA; and, after that, it takes a lifetime dedication to continued learning. Yes, a general PA can study and take a dermatology test and can get a certificate, but this is only bookwork. Seeing something in a book is one thing, and treating a real patient is another. In order to work with real live dermatology patients, a PA needs one on one educational guidance by time spent in the clinic side by side taught by a teaching physician dermatologist.
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Now, practically speaking, because it takes a year of serious dedication to education, the right teacher, and lower or no pay, many PA’s have not done a one-year side-by-side dermatology internship. Many just take a test and go out and try to find a job in dermatology. This is like building a house on sand without a solid foundation
When a patient sees Eleni and Charity, I want them to be assured that these PA’s have spent this one-year plus more side-by-side learning from me. I did not just hire them and send them to work. I personally trained them, and they, in their personal lives continue their derm education and are dedicated to a lifetime of learning.
Now, it is common that some patients have a question whether they should see the doctor or the PA. Let me explain and please remember: Eleni, Charity and I work together as a team. They are both Dermatology Specialty Trained Physician Assistants. |
So, they can certainly care for your basic needs. And, beyond this, with Eleni and Charity you have me as well. Feel assured and keep in mind, should you ever have an unanswered question, simply ask Eleni or Charity to connect to me. Please understand, I am their supervisor, when you see Eleni or Charity, you always have direct access to me. Together, Eleni or Charity and I can answer your questions and take care of all your dermatology needs.
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