DOCTORS of the DESERT
Saving Skin
Dr. Anne Walter, MD, FAAD of Dermatology & Skin Surgery Specialists
IT’S A FACT that the skin is our largest organ, so taking care of it – especially in sunny Arizona – is a major responsibility. And one that Dr. Anne Walter, founder and medical director of Dermatology & Skin Surgery Specialists, welcomes with joy. A Board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, the Harvard graduate attended medical school at the University of Southern California. She subsequently completed an internship at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and a residency at Northwestern University, and an accredited Mohs surgery and cosmetic fellowship. Walter’s path was a dream realized from a young age. “I have wanted to be a physician since I was a toddler. My grandfather was a general surgeon, and I grew up wanting to ‘be like Poppie,’” she says. “Medicine offers a unique fulfillment that other professions cannot compete with. There is no other field where people share their lives with you in the same way.” In 2015, Walter and her husband, Keith, founded Dermatology & Skin Surgery Specialists. The Scottsdale practice provides expert medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatological care in a highly personalized, boutique setting. “Seeing the practice grow and getting positive feedback from patients has been very rewarding,” Walter says. “Of course, the ultimate compliment is when patients trust us with the care of their family and friends.” Dermatology & Skin Surgery Specialists offers a comprehensive range of services to treat any condition of the skin, hair, and nails as well as providing the latest cosmetic treatments to help patients look and feel their best. Not surprisingly, the most common reason patients visit Walter is for a skin cancer screening. “I am very passionate about all aspects of dermatology but have a special interest in skin cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” she says. “I pride myself on trying to make what could otherwise be a very stressful diagnosis into a positive experience for my patients. It is very rewarding to have a patient start his/her day with a cancer but leave our office knowing that they are cancer-free!” Not only is Walter passionate about skin cancer treatment,
she is highly skilled in it. “While many dermatologists may perform Mohs surgery, a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon dedicated an additional year after their dermatology residency to refining their Mohs micrographic surgery and surgical reconstruction skills,” Walter says. Patients will find that Walter offers a wealth of skin cancer prevention advice, and they’ll also find an expert who walks her talk. Though she admits she rarely used sunscreen as a collegiate water polo player, the fair-skinned physician now shields her skin with sunscreen, sun protective clothing, and a large floppy sun hat. So what keeps Walter going? “The constantly evolving science behind the skin keeps me interested and learning, and I love that each day presents a different mix of patients and challenges,” Walter says. “Equally important, it is a privilege to interact and develop relationships with patients based on mutual trust to enhance their health and well-being.” TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DERMATOLOGY & SKIN SURGERY SPECIALISTS, CALL 480.418.1087 OR VISIT WWW.SKINSPECIALISTSOFAZ.COM.