Health & Wellness — August, 2019

August Special Section

2 | August 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

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Seal out tooth decay

By Dr. David Remaley Roswell Dental Care Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth – especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavitycausing bacteria to hide.

Still, there’s another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

In fact, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child’s dental health. In October 2016, the Centers For Disease Control released a report on the importance of sealants for school-aged children, of which only 43% of children ages 6-11 have. According to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”

You may have many questions about sealants, and we have answers for you below. Read on to learn more about sealing out tooth decay.

How do sealants work?

Think of them as raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids

Is there BPA in sealants?

that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm.

Who can get sealants?

Children and adults can benefit from sealants, but the earlier you get them, the better. Your first molars appear around age 6, and second molars break through around age 12. Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start, which helps save time and money in the long run. Ask your dentist if sealants are a good option for you and your family.

How Are Sealants Applied?

It’s a quick and painless process and there are no side effects. Your dentist will clean and dry your tooth before placing an acidic gel on your teeth. This gel roughs up your tooth surface so a strong bond will form between your tooth and the sealant. After a few seconds, your dentist will rinse off the gel and dry your tooth once again before applying the sealant onto the grooves of your tooth. Your dentist will then use a special blue light to harden the sealant. Sealants last several years before they need to be reapplied. And, most insurance companies will cover the application of sealants in children under age 16.

WE ALWAYS WELCOME NEW PATIENTS. Give our office a call at (470) 288-1152 to make an appointment today. We offer a comprehensive list of general, restorative and cosmetic dental services designed to meet the needs of the entire family.

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EVEN IF YOUR TEEN LOOKS LIKE A PRO LINEBACKER, HE’S NOT where you take them matters ©2019 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Inc. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Physical Therapy is a department of Children’s at Scottish Rite hospital.

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Rethinking chemotherapy

By Jonathan Stegall, MD Chemotherapy side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting are the result of the high doses of chemotherapy often given during each treatment.

Dr. Stegall

This method of administration is called maximum tolerated dose, and typically requires between 1-3 weeks of recovery time before another dose can be given.

Such breaks are necessary to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of more significant side effects.

However, I believe there is a better way, which is to administer chemotherapy more often using lower doses.

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This method is known as fractionated metronomic chemotherapy. It allows for more frequent “hits” to the cancer cells, while minimizing side effects.

Current research studies support these findings.

I have been administering chemotherapy in my oncology practice this way for nearly five years, and have been amazed by the results.

The risk of side effects, while certainly not eliminated, is significantly lower. As a result, patient quality of life is much better, all while still routinely seeing a good clinical response to treatment. This integrative approach also includes a focus on supportive therapies such as good nutrition, supplementation, and stress reduction, to name a few.

For more information about this treatment approach, as well as many other tools in the anti-cancer toolbox, please check out my bestselling book Cancer Secrets, available at cancersecrets.com.

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Coping with Psoriasis Brought to you by — Home Helpers of Alpharetta August is Psoriasis Action Month.

Studies show over 7.4 million Americans have psoriasis, and for your older loved one it can pose uncomfortable challenges that can affect their quality of life.

Understanding this condition and being able to recognize the symptoms can help you get the medical care they need.

Psoriasis Basics Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. T cells in the body mistake healthy cells for an infection that needs to be fought. This makes new skin cells rise to the surface of the skin much more quickly than they should, taking just days instead of weeks. They build up on the skin’s surface where they form red, itchy patches of skin that can appear scaly. The disease isn’t curable, but it can be treated to make symptoms better by slowing the abnormal growth of skin cells. It often occurs with several other conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, psoriatic arthritis and anxiety.

Psoriasis is not contagious.

Symptoms of Psoriasis There are a number of types of psoriasis, and symptoms differ for every person. Here are some of the common signs: • Patches of skin that are red and have silvery scales.

• Small scaly spots.

• Skin that is dry and cracked, that may bleed.

• Skin that itches, burns, or feels sore.

• Fingernails or toenails that are pitted, thick, or have ridges.

• Joints that are stiff and swollen.

Some people have only small spots of psoriasis while others have patches

that cover larger areas of their bodies. Typically, people have cycles where symptoms worsen for a time, then get better for a while. They may even have periods of remission when no symptoms are present.

Watch for Triggers Triggers vary from person to person.

Stress can cause psoriasis to flare up for the first time, so it’s helpful to practice stress and relaxation techniques. Older skin that has been injured or traumatized is also at risk. Watch carefully for damage like cuts or scrapes, moisturize regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

Medication, shots, vaccines and even sunburns can bring on a flare up.

It’s important to consult your doctor when you suspect psoriasis. When symptoms are accompanied by joint pain or swelling, your older loved one could have psoriatic arthritis.

This may be the ideal time to consider the benefits and peace of mind professional in-home care can provide.

The companionship and assistance a carefully matched, heart centered Home Helpers caregiver provides can help your older loved one stay happy, healthy and safe as they age in place. Our highly personalized care can boost self-confidence and help live life to the fullest. A Home Helpers Caregiver has the skills to assist with all personal care, help around the house, provide transportation and specialized care for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.

We know that despite the passing years, each of our clients has a youthful spirit. Engaging that lets us share in the richness of their lives, both past and present. For a free in-home consultation and personalized plan contact Home Helpers of Alpharetta today at (678) 430-8511.

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Irregular cycles — causes & treatments

By Dr. Stacey Pereira Modern OBGYN Many women experience irregular cycle patterns or irregular bleeding. There are a myriad of causes! You gotta get it checked out!

Dr. pereira Some women have this from onset of puberty while others may acquire it later in life. Women who are 18 years of age or older should have a baseline evaluation for their irregular cycles. Evaluation generally consists of some blood work to look at hormones and an ultrasound to look at potential structural causes of irregular bleeding. For women who are

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35 years of age or older, it is important to also collect some uterine cells to make sure, however rare, that there is no cancerous cause to the bleeding.

Structural causes, for example uterine polyps are generally addressed by removal. Uterine polyps can be re-

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moved in office! It is a quick procedure done vaginally with no cuts and you are back to work the next day. Hormonal causes are usually treated with oral low dose hormones to regulate the cycle.

For many women pills aren’t an option. Younger women who plan on having children might pursue other longer term local treatments such Intrauterine devices. Ladies who are done with children may consider an ablation. This is a short procedure again done in office, where the cells that make the uterine lining are burned. Ablations have excellent long term outcomes and only 5-10% of women are unhappy with the outcome and choose to pursue a hysterectomy afterwards. Hysterectomies are almost always done laparoscopically - meaning

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with tiny cameras- and at Modern Ob GYN we use the most up to date approach with the DaVincii Robot. This ensures the safest and quickest hysterectomy for women who are good candidates.

Don’t sit at home with your irregular cycles! It’s important to get it checked out-- and as you can see there’s a ton of different ways to get it taken care of, whichever way fits your needs best.

Modern OBGYN has three convenient office locations. Visit our newest office at Avalon in Alpharetta located at 2710 Old Milton Parkway Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009. To schedule an appointment call 404-446-2496 or visit us online at www.reyesobgyn.com.

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‘Just rub some black salve on it and call me in the morning’ (And other phrases you won’t hear your dermatologist tell you)

By Dr. Brent Taylor Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Frequently, I field questions from patients about alternative therapies for treating the skin and specifically skin cancer. One of the most Dr. Taylor interesting treatments available is called “Black Salve” – interesting because it is not merely a placebo, but rather does have real effects. Black salve is also interesting because its history has intersected with that of allopathic medicine in ways that are important to medicine’s most advanced skin cancer treatments. Black salve has been used for decades as a way to treat growths including warts, moles and even skin cancer (but dermatologists do not recommend using it for this purpose).

Black salve is a mixture of zinc chloride and Sanguinaria canadensis (aka Bloodroot), and sometimes Larrea tridentata (aka creosote bush or chaparral).

But what are these three ingredients?

Zinc chloride is an escharotic and tissue fixative. An eschar is a piece of dead tissue that will eventually turn black and slough off the skin. When applied to the skin, zinc chloride causes cell death and chemically fixes tissue into a relatively hard dead mass or plaque -- an “eschar.”

If applied to a skin cancer, zinc chloride may kill the cancer, but the zinc chloride may also damage surrounding tissue.

Zinc chloride is non-specific, damaging both unhealthy and healthy tissue that it contacts. Numerous case reports exist in the medical literature of people applying zinc chloride paste only to have a cancer come back worse or metastasize. Application of this paste has also been reported as causing severe scarring and deformity.

Bloodroot is a flowering plant indigenous to eastern North America. Bloodroot gets its name from a red sap that can be harvested from the roots to dye baskets or cloth. Bloodroot also produces an ammonium-based chemical that kills animal cells and that is an escharotic, similar to zinc chloride.

Creosote or chaparral is a desert plant whose extracts include certain compounds touted as having antioxidant properties.

Chaparral is listed in the FDA’s poisonous plant database where its entry states that it has caused liver injury and even fulminant hepatic failure requiring a liver transplant.

An interesting intersection of black salve with allopathic medicine is that Dr. Frederick Mohs used a compound combining zinc chloride, antimony trisulfide

and bloodroot as a “chemopaste” that was instrumental in helping him to develop “Mohs surgery” – the skin cancer treatment that bears his name and is now the most effective, precise and advanced method for treating skin cancer. Developed in the 1930s, Mohs’ chemopaste allowed him to harden and fix a skin cancer and a small area of surrounding skin. He then would remove that area, slice it thinly and examine it under the microscope to make sure that the margins were clear of tumor. When cancer was still present at an edge, he would remove more skin from the patient and again examine it under the microscope until all the cancer had been removed. The chemopaste was often applied the night before surgery, was very painful and caused substantial damage to surrounding tissue. Mohs’ method of using chemopaste and examining tissue under the microscope was imperfect, but it was certainly better than alternative methods of skin cancer removal available at the time.

By the late 1970s, machines that could freeze tissue and allow it to be cut with precision and without the use of this chemopaste became available, making the chemopaste obsolete. Modern Mohs surgery involves numbing a skin cancer and the surrounding skin with lidocaine, removing the visible tumor and a small margin, checking the edges for tumor and repeating this process until all microscopically visible cancer has been removed.

Modern Mohs surgery results in a 99% cure rate for most skin cancers, and suturing and repair techniques are so refined that deformity is extremely rare and in most cases minimal scarring occurs.

Black salve’s cousin “Mohs’ chemopaste” played an important role in the development of Mohs surgery. Patients inclined toward naturopathic remedies should not feel that choosing Mohs surgery over black salve is a rejection of their holistic worldview. Rather, modern medicine and evidence-guided physicians honor the natural world when we acknowledge the astounding number of modern treatments derived from nature and guide our patients toward therapies that offer the greatest chance to heal.

Black salve should not be viewed as an alternative to Mohs surgery but rather as an important historical stepping stone to this incredibly effective surgical technique.

If you or a loved one has skin cancer, consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor is a board certified dermatologist, vein specialist, and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. He and his outstanding team take pride in providing personalized, caring and state-of-the-art treatment.

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You can’t SEE your HEART.

How do you know it’s healthy?

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The New Strong Gaining control over your fitness and your life For many people, aging equals lower metabolism, weight gain and less energy for activities you enjoy. This is directly related to loss of lean muscle.

While you can’t avoid getting older, there are some steps you can take to stop the process of muscle loss and start rebuilding healthy, lean muscle.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or whether you haven’t exercised in years.

You can still regain lean muscle that improves your shape and increases your metabolism.

Our downfall is inactivity. Too much sitting is the new smoking. Our bodies were meant to be active, stay active and be strong. When we stop doing meaningful exercise, we lose ground.

What is meaningful exercise?

A critical component of stimulating the improvements we seek from exercise is the achievement of momentary muscular failure in each exercise performed.

With steady-state activities, like walking on a treadmill or biking, there is no mo-

mentary muscular failure involved.

Unless activity is demanding, it is practically worthless from an exercise perspective. However, if an activity is sufficiently demanding to take the targeted muscles to momentary failure, then it qualifies as meaningful exercise.

Muscle failure should be viewed as a means of signaling the body that it needs to get stronger in order to meet the demands being placed upon it.

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The SuperSlow Zone protocol is the original and genuine slow-motion, personal strength training workout.

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Equip your children for back-to-school It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year…stocking up on backpacks, fresh notebooks and pencils, planning carpool schedules, updating school wardrobes, and helping your children finish up their summer reading lists. August is a busy time for parents and children alike as they prepare for another academic year full of learning, growth, and change. As parents, you want your children as equipped as possible for the challenges coming in the next steps of their education, and this includes making sure your child’s vision is also ready for school.

Children can be negatively impacted by undetected vision problems inside and outside of the classroom, so as you and your child prepare for the upcoming school year, it is important that you understand eye health and are able to recognize possible signs that your child may have a vision problem. If you have noticed any of the following behaviors or patterns over the previous school year or summer, then it’s definitely time for your child to have his or her back-to-school eye exam.

Problems Paying Attention- It is not unusual for children with vision problems to exhibit similar behaviors as children with ADD or ADHD. This is because children who cannot see or read the whiteboard/ SmartBoard will have difficulty concentrating, causing them to fall behind. If you have noticed that your child has difficulty concentrating, be sure to schedule an eye exam to rule out vision problems before testing for ADD or ADHD. Squinting or Covering One Eye CoveredSquinting is “a subconscious attempt by the brain to

clear blurry vision.” Squinting may be a sign that your child has a refractive error and can cause headaches.

This means that your child’s eyes have difficulty focusing on an image, and by squinting, your child may be able to temporarily improve focus. Reading with one eye covered may indicate that your child’s eyes are misaligned or that he or she may have amblyopia (lazy eye), both of which are common eye disorders in children.

Sitting Too Closely to the TV or Holding Electronics Too Closely - Children who have myopia (nearsightedness) may show patterns of sitting abnormally close to the TV or hold books or electronics too close to their eyes. People with myopia have trouble seeing images and objects at a distance, so they compensate by moving closer to what they are looking at or reading, making the image bigger or clearer.

Optimal vision is critical to learning, so if your child exhibits any of these behaviors, it’s time for your child to get a routine eye exam. At Thomas Eye Group, our team of board-certified doctors are specialized in screening eyes for visual acuity, eye alignment, depth perception, overall health of the eye, and indications of more serious eye problems. Contact our office today to schedule your child’s back-to-school eye exam.

The Thomas Eye Group Roswell Office is located at 11690 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, Georgia 30067.

For more information or to schedule your appointment, visit www.thomaseye.com or call us at 770-4755515.

12 | August 2019 | NorthFulton.com | ForsythHerald.com

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Anchors Chiropractic

Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek offers exemplary memory care Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek uses Teepa Snow’s trademarked Gem Programming, Positive Personal Approach and other techniques in caring for residents with a dementia challenge. This approach helps families relate to their loved one in a meaningful, engaging way.

They offer personal appointments and tours for families to come and learn more about the Arbor Advantage and their 60-day guarantee of satisfaction.

This exemplary resort-style community offers beautiful apartments for Seniors at every stage of their care needs.

They have several floorplans for Assisted Living and in their Bridges neigh-

borhood. Families love Bridges higher engagement activities designed for early cognitive challenges. Their Evergreen Memory Care Neighborhood is available for when higher care is needed on their dementia journey. They also offer a furnished suite when needed.

Families can now focus on the relationship with their loved one in a less stressful manner and begin to feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones are exceptionally cared for by a well trained caring team of professionals. Call Arbor Terrace of Johns Creek at 770-676-2410 to schedule a personal tour.

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Anchors Chiropractic has been serving the Dunwoody and surrounding communities since 1969. Opened in 1969 by Dr. James Anchors in Chamblee, he moved to Dunwoody in the early 1970’s and bought the old Sparks grocery store that was at the corner of Jett Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon.

In 1997, he was joined in practice by his son, Dr. Brad Anchors, who has been in practice now for over twenty years. They have served many generations of families and just welcomed a 5th generation patient from one family.

Together, they have helped many people get better from a multitude of problems, including but not limited to: back and neck pain, headaches (all types), sports injuries, disc problems, sciatica, arm and/ or leg pain.

Dr. Anchors utilizes the latest technology in practice incorporating gentle chiropractic adjusting (no twisting, cracking or popping) that achieves amazing results.

If you or someone you know is suffering, call Anchors Chiropractic to get the help you need.

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The Memory Center Atlanta The Memory Center Atlanta is the most unique and comprehensive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Devoted specifically to memory care, our expertly designed program meets the challenging conditions of an aging brain with a caring, interactive community. We understand a diagnosis of dementia doesn’t mean you or your loved one stops living, rather it means finding new ways to live by providing assistance to maintain an active and meaningful lifestyle.

Our residents enjoy music, dancing, live entertainment, art, gardening, - even outings, pet therapy and religious services. Enjoy a drink in the Chattahoochee Tavern, grab a movie in the Fox Theater or ice cream at the Bull Dog Café. All residents experience socialization and activities accessible across all levels of dementia.

Even those who need 24/7 care benefit from life at The Memory Center.

Overseen by our medical director who

specializes in the field of geriatric healthcare, our team of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants provide the best 24/7 care.

Don’t let a crisis determine where your loved one receives care. If you are considering memory care, we encourage you to explore options as early as possible. Take the time to ask questions, tour and include your loved one in the decision making process. Transitioning to memory care early ensures the best quality of life with daily socialization and engaging activities designed to meet the needs of you or your loved one.

Get in touch - ask us a question or schedule a tour of The Memory Center Atlanta to learn more about how our team provides a seamless transition for your loved one into their new home. Located at 12050 Findley Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097, less than ½ mile from Medlock Bridge Rd. directly behind Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Call Today, (770) 476-3678.

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Laser therapy comes to Johns Creek Class IV Laser Therapy is the most advanced pain relief technology available to the public and it’s now available exclusively at Johns Creek Physical Therapy. Laser therapy uses a process called photo-bio-modulation to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. Laser Therapy works by flooding the tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. Treatments are fast, painless and don’t require any down time.

Laser Therapy is FDA cleared to treat pain, inflammation, arthritis, and muscle spasms and are a great alternative to medications and injections. Laser Therapy can treat a host of conditions including rotator cuff injuries, post operative pain and soreness (for any surgery), Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, muscle strains, low back pain, migraines, and can even be used

to relieve pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Come Try the Laser for Free Johns Creek Physical Therapy is the only medical practice in the area to offer Class IV Laser Therapy technology. “I am constantly amazed at what it does for our patients,” says Marc Stewart, PT, owner at Johns Creek Physical Therapy. If you are experiencing any type of pain and you want pain relief FAST, schedule a Free Trial and try Laser Therapy today. Call 770-622-5344 to schedule your Free Consultation.

Johns Creek Physical Therapy 4060 Johns Creek Parkway, Suite H Suwanee, GA 30024 770-622-5344

Does the sun damage your skin?

By Josh A. Hammel, MD Board-Certified Dermatologist and Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, so goes the old saying. When it comes to skin health, this canDR. HAMMEL not be truer. Daily, patients ask me how they can best care for their skin and prevent future problems.

Most questions surround skin cancer, premature aging, or dry and fragile skin concerns. My answer is often the same: sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, and moisturizer.

I cannot emphasize enough how bad the sun is for one’s skin — it’s as bad as smoking is for the lungs! I frequently perform Mohs Micrographic Surgery on patients with different types of skin cancers caused by sun exposure. Using the microscope I exam their surgically removed skin tissue and am able to see the destruction of elastic fibers known as solar elastosis. The damage that ultraviolet light does to the dermis, the second layer of skin responsible for its firmness and stretch, is clearly visible under light magnification. Every second in the sun means more damage to your epidermal and dermal tissue, predisposing you to skin cancer and wrinkles

caused by photoaging. Taking steps to protect your skin from the sun’s rays with protective clothing and broad-spectrum sunscreen pays healthy dividends both in cancer and wrinkle prevention.

Many of my patients complain of dry and itchy skin. Dry skin is not only unsightly but may predispose you to uncomfortable rashes and infections.

Mature skin lacks the ability to produce natural oils as well as younger skin and easily falls prey to excess soap use.

Most patients with dry skin do well to use an unscented, gentle bar soap used mainly on the “dirtier” areas of the body, mainly the face, underarms, groin, and feet, leaving the rest of the skin to be

cleansed mainly with water. A healthy application of a thick moisturizer (something scooped out of a jar is best) immediately after bathing and once more daily is generally enough to combat the dryness associated both with seasonal changes and maturing skin.

If you have questions or concerns about your skin, you can make an appointment for a personalized consultation at Dermatology Specialists of Georgia’s

Dunwoody office. We offer evaluation and treatment of all medical dermatological conditions as well as advanced skin surgery techniques for both skin cancer and cosmetic concerns. Call today to make your appointment with minimal wait time.

Dermatology Specialists of Georgia (770) 452-5667 4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 260

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WHERE CONFIDENCE COMES FROM EXPERTISE. Welcome our newest physician to the team

Josh A. Hammel, MD Board-Certified Dermatologist & Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon EDUCATION & TRAINING MEDICAL SCHOOL: Emory University School of Medicine RESIDENCY: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine– Plastic Surgery (internship and PGY-2 years) University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics–Dermatology FELLOWSHIPS: Northwestern University–Dermatology Clinical Research University of Texas Medical Branch– Mohs Micrographic Surgery & Cutaneous Oncology

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

770.452.5667 DermatologySpecialistsGA.com

4360 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 260

MEDICAL | SURGICAL | COSMETIC