Local Dermatologists Chosen to Speak at National Dermatology Conference in San Antonio, Texas

Dr. Michael Crowe and Dr. Artis Truett, III, Board Certified Dermatologists with Owensboro Dermatology Associates and Henderson Dermatology, were chosen to speak at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Crowe and Truett presented “Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Our Successful EHR Implementation,” a detailed description of how Owensboro Dermatology and Henderson Dermatology converted from paper to electronic medical health records (EMR). Doctors Crowe and Truett gave a brief background of Owensboro and Henderson Dermatology and their reasons for deciding on one system over another. The doctors highlighted the obstacles and the successes of implementation of the computerized system and focused on how they customized the system for their dermatology practice. They explained how their digital medical record system helps enhance the quality of care they provide and how this system allows them to offer services that would otherwise not be available. These improvements include computerized imaging for exam room, tracking of previous biopsies and skin cancer removals, and “mole mapping,” a computerized scanning of suspicious moles to help determine if a biopsy is needed.

The presentation was one component of the workshop entitled “Electronic Health Records.” This workshop featured nine of the top computerized dermatologists in the country presenting information to help other dermatologists make informed decisions as they plan the transition from a paper to an electronic medical record. EMR will likely become a part of all practices within the next decade as is mandated by the U.S. government. Another objective of the educational sessions was for attendees to understand how emerging technologies such as teledermatology and digital imaging may allow for enriched patient care.

The AAD conferences attract over 15,000 people including dermatologists and their staff members from around the nation and the world. The annual meeting provides a venue for dermatology specialists to learn about new advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention and an opportunity to earn continuing medical education credits. The AAD, a not-for-profit medical specialty association headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. The AAD has developed a platform in which to:

•promote and advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the skin

•promote the highest possible standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology and related disciplines

•support and enhance patient care and promote the public interest relating to dermatology.

Owensboro Dermatology Recognized For Quality Laboratory Services

Owensboro Dermatology Associates, PSC has met all criteria for Laboratory Accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. Owensboro Dermatology Associates, PSC has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality service to their patients.

The six categories included in the testing include: overall rating; personnel and facility; proficiency testing; specimen and test management; quality control; and quality assurance. By successfully passing COLA’s evaluation and renewing accreditation, Owensboro Dermatology’s laboratory has proven safety, efficiency, and reliability of results, and regulatory compliance all of which help ensure excellent patient care.

COLA is a nonprofit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement, and accreditation. COLA is approved by the federal government and sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and the American Osteopathic Association.

Free Seminar on a New Laser Treatment that Melts Away Signs of Aging

Dr. Michael Crowe, Board Certified Dermatologist, will present a free seminar on reducing the signs of aging highlighting a new, non-surgical laser treatment, the Arctic MicroLaserPeel, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 24 at Owensboro Dermatology Associates, 2821 New Hartford Road. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Call (270) 852-4788 or toll free 1-888-337-6722 ext. 4788. Refreshments will be available as well as opportunities to a win a free Arctic MicroLaserPeel treatment, skin care products and more.

Based on results from hundreds of Arctic Peels™ performed at Owensboro Dermatology, Dr. Crowe will detail the procedure showing before and after photos which illustrate the different skin conditions that the treatment improves. Individuals who have had the treatment will be available to discuss their experiences. Dr. Crowe will compare the Arctic Peel to Microdermabrasion and superficial chemical peels and discuss how this new procedure offers greater results in a shorter amount of time with no-down time for healing. To find our more about the benefits of the Arctic Peel, which is offered exclusively at Owensboro Dermatology, call to reserve a seat for the free presentation.

Sandra B. Cox, Nurse Practitioner, Joins Owensboro Dermatology

Sandra B. Cox, ARNP-C

Sandra B. Cox, ARNP-C, a certified and licensed nurse practitioner, has joined Owensboro Dermatology Associates.

Cox, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree. She received her Master of Science from University of Southern Indiana. She is also certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support from the American Heart Association.

Cox said, “Dermatology is an exciting and ever-changing medical specialty. My education didn’t stop after earning my degree.”

Along with learning from hands-on dermatology seminars, she said she gains additional knowledge from professional publications and communicating with her peers about the latest medical developments.

“These activities, in conjunction with my memberships to professional organizations, ensure that my patients receive the best treatment founded on evidence-based, time-proven medicine,” Cox said.

Cox is a member of the Nurse Practitioner Society of the Dermatology Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners/Nurse Midwives, the Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana, the American Nurses
Association, the Kentucky Nurses Association, the Indiana Nurses Association, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

“I love being a nurse practitioner in dermatology, because I have the unique opportunity of being able to work with patients from a medical and surgical perspective,” she said. “Combining diagnostic skills and patient care with the more technical expertise gives me great satisfaction. I enjoy the personal aspect of getting to know my patients and caring for them.”

Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses with advanced academic and clinical experience, which enables him or her to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses either independently or as a part of a health care team. Nurse practitioners are health professionals licensed to practice medicine exercising autonomy in medical decision making and providing a broad range of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and health maintenance services. As a nurse practitioner for Owensboro Dermatology Associates, Cox will provide many patient services including diagnose and treat chronic skin conditions; perform some cosmetic procedures; perform physical exams; prescribe medications; freeze lesions with liquid nitrogen; provide education; and administer phototherapy treatment. Cox will also help treat patients for skin cancer, acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, warts, and other common skin disorders.

New Clinical Trial for Pre-Cancer in Owensboro

Two of Owensboro’s leading healthcare facilities have once again teamed up to bring an important clinical trial to the region. Pedia Research and Owensboro Dermatology are now conducting a clinical trial on actinic keratosis (A.K.) Commonly referred to as solar keratosis, A.K. is a skin condition where rough, scaly patches may be found on the skin of your face, lips, ears, back of your hands, forearms, scalp or neck. The major cause of A.K. is long-term exposure to the sun. Actinic keratosis can be a serious condition. Up to 5% of cases develop into skin cancer. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Artis P. Truett III is leading this research study. With a combined 43 years experience in dermatology, Dr. Truett and his team at Owensboro Dermatology continue to be the area’s leading dermatology specialists. This research study involves completing 5 outpatient visits over a period of 24 weeks. Participants must be age 18 or older. There is no cost for the study and medical insurance is not required. The study medication is a topical cream for the possible treatment of A.K. Qualified study participants may receive at no cost: study-related exams, investigational study medication, and compensation for time and travel. If you have any questions or would like more information about the study, please call Pedia Research at 270-685-4589. You may also visit the Pedia Research website at www.pediaresearch.com or the Owensboro Dermatology website at www.OwensboroDerm.com.

Local Dermatologists Renew Fellowship

Dr. Artis Truett, III

Dr. Michael Crowe

Dr. Artis Truett, III, and Dr. Michael Crowe, Board Certified Dermatologists with Owensboro Dermatology Associates, successfully completed the American Society for Mohs Surgery (ASMS) proficiency testing to renew their Fellowships. Doctors Crowe and Truett have maintained their Mohs Fellowships for 8 years each. The ASMS safeguards standards of Mohs Surgery through continuing education and proficiency testing to help insure the highest quality patient care.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery, an advanced treatment procedure for skin cancer, offers the highest potential for recovery—even if the skin cancer has been previously treated. This procedure is state-of-the-art treatment in which the physician serves as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. It relies on the accuracy of a microscope to trace and ensure removal of skin cancer down to its roots.

The proficiency testing involved the excising tissues, completing microscopic examination of the excised tissue by systematic use of horizontal frozen sections, supervising and directing the laboratory preparation of the frozen sections, and microscopic examination of the tissue. This data is then evaluated through the ASMS Peer Review Program.

The cure rate for Mohs Micrographic Surgery is the highest of all treatments for skin cancer—up to 99 percent even if other forms of treatment have failed. This procedure, the most exact and precise method of tumor removal, minimizes the chance of regrowth and lessens the potential for scarring or disfigurement. This procedure allows dermatologists, trained in Mohs Surgery, to see beyond the visible disease, and to precisely identify and remove the entire tumor, leaving healthy tissue unharmed. This procedure is most often used in treating two of the most common forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Dr. Crowe earned his medical degree from University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles, CA. He has published numerous abstracts in publications including the American Journal of Contact Dermatitis, The International Journal of Dermatology, and Aging Arkansas. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Medical Association, Kentucky Medical Association, Kentucky Dermatology Association, and Daviess County Medical Association among others.

Dr. Truett earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine. He was an adjunct clinical instructor for the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Contact Dermatitis Society, the American Society for Mohs Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, among others.

Free Skin Cancer Screening Offered at Henderson Dermatology

A free skin cancer screening will be held from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2007 at Henderson Dermatology located in the Atkinson Medical Building, 1413 North Elm Street, Suite 202. Individuals must call 1-888-337-6722 extension 4788 to schedule an appointment. Individuals will be seen by appointment only.

Dr. Trey Truett, Board Certified Dermatologist with Henderson Dermatology, said, “Last year’s end of the summer screen was so successful, we decided to host another fall screen. Sun exposure causes skin damage, and the effects of it can easily be seen at this time of year. The timing also provides a great opportunity to educate participants about the importance of year-round sunscreen protection.”

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, affecting 1 in 5 Americans, and more than 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year. Of these cases, more than 105,750 are melanoma which claims 7,770 lives each year. A 2007 survey from the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) found that while four out of five survey respondents (80%) are concerned about skin cancer and feel it is important to protect themselves, more than half (54%) have never been screened for skin cancer by a health care provider and nearly one-quarter (23%) never examine their own skin for changes to moles and other blemishes.

These results have served as a call to action for dermatologists to teach their neighbors to Be Sun Smart and provide free skin cancer screenings in their communities. Academy members continue to offer free, skin cancer screenings year-round to the general public. Since 1985, dermatologists have screened more than 1.7 million people and detected more than 171,200 suspicious lesions, including approximately 20,000 suspected melanomas.

Dr. Truett said, “If there are any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole, or any other unusual changes in the skin, you should see a dermatologist.”

According to the Academy everyone – young, old, fair-skinned, dark-skinned – needs to be careful before spending time in the sun. The Academy encourages people to conduct regular skin self-examinations, use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, avoid peak sun hours, and practice other sun-safe behaviors. Skin self-examinations consist of regularly looking over the entire body, including the back, scalp, soles of feet, between the toes, and on the palms of the hands.

“The key to the successful treatment of most types of skin cancer is early detection and treatment,” Dr. Truett added. “With melanoma, early detection is achievable because the signs are visible on the surface of the skin. It is our hope for those individuals who have never had their skin checked, that they will use this opportunity to have one of our specialists look for possible, suspicious lesions.”

At the screen participants will receive information about how to conduct a self examination and other educational materials. To make an appointment for the free skin cancer screening on Friday, October 5, call Henderson Dermatology at 1-888-337-6722 extension 4788.

Be Sun Smart

Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone “Be Sun Smart.” Here’s how to do it:
• Generously apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating;
• Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible;
• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.;
• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet that includes vitamin supplements. Don’t seek the sun;
• Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless, self-tanning product, but use sunscreen with it.

To gauge their sun smarts, the public can visit the Academy’s Web site to take the survey. Upon completion of the survey, respondents will receive their own personalized sun-smart profile with lifestyle tips.