west valley
Volume 32 Issue 28 Goodyear, AZ
May 26, 2021
Dr. Neil Superfon fills dermatology void BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Executive Editor
D
IN THE BIZ
r. Neil Superfon is dedicated to his field. For 52 years, he has provided Valley residents with dermatological care. He founded Arizona Dermatology in 1969 as a one-office practice at Indian School and 19th Avenue. Two years ago, with seven offices and 110 employees, Superfon and his co-owners sold the practice. “Instead of retiring, I decided to stay practicing because I like it,” he said. Less than a month ago, he opened Buckeye Dermatology at 825 S. Watson Road, Buckeye. Next-day appointments are available. “Buckeye was underserved,” Superfon said about why he chose Buckeye. “There were no dermatologists between Litchfield Park and Buckeye. The nearest practice is about 18 miles away. “We have the best experience in town. We have the nicest, all-new little office. We want to serve everyone.” Buckeye Dermatology could be considered a one-stop shop. “No expense has been spared at the practice,” Superfon said. “We didn’t want to leave any important items out of our practice. But Buckeye residents don’t have to drive 20 miles. They can go right in their backyard.” His services include laser light skin surgery, nonsurgical skin cancer treatment, biopsies and excision, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen, curettage Public Notices ............... page 2 © Copyright, 2021 West Valley View, Inc.
and electrodessication, Mohs surgery, radiation therapy, and beautification and body enhancement services. “Most dermatologists don’t have radiation for skin cancer,” Superfon said. “I’m also certified in dermatopathy.” In the practice, Superfon is joined by physician assistant Papu Narayanappa, a Kentucky native who earned a master’s in medical science from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. For the first four years, she practiced internal medicine, followed by 20 years in dermatology. A Detroit native, Superfon graduated from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Midwestern University of Osteopathic Medicine). He completed a one-year internal medicine internship at Pontiac General Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, followed by dermatology residency and teaching position at Chicago College of Medicine. He said he chose dermatology because it was “very interesting for my personality. I like detailed work, like taking off a mole. Leave the heart transplants to somebody else.” Superfon said his goal is to diagnose melanomas early so “people can survive.” “That’s the one dangerous skin cancer, melanomas,” he said. “We have a new tool, a handheld magnification tool called dermatoscopes, that helps us tell if melanomas have any changes or if lesions have changes consistent with melanomas. It’s not a diagnostic tool.” (USPS 004-616) is published weekly
Mailing Address: 250 Litchfield Rd., #130 Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 535-VIEW • 535-8439
Steven Strickbine, publisher Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Executive Editor
For skin cancer patients, Superfon offers superficial radiation therapy (SRT). “If someone’s a little older and doesn’t want to have a surgery, for five minutes, they can have radiation, which is of no danger to their body,” he said. “They don’t have to go into a big hospital. We have an SRT machine that’s very expensive. It’s mostly for basal and squamous cell cancers.” With Mohs surgery, Superfon helps skin cancer patients from having to have a second surgery. During traditional skin cancer surgery, the lesion is removed, and the biopsy will show if the edges are clear. Mohs makes that much easier. “If you had, say, a basal cell, we can take the basal cell off; and rather than suturing the wound, you take it and evaluate it (the edges) with the microscope while you’re there,” he said. “If it’s clear on the microscope, then you close the wound. You’re not going to have to go back for a second procedure.” Superfon is pleased to offer minor cosmetic procedures, too, including Botox and other fillers. He has laser therapy for brown spots and for psoriasis. “We provide all aspects of dermatologic care,” he said.
Buckeye Dermatology
825 S. Watson Road, Buckeye 602-754-6075, buckeyederm.com Subscriptions are $26 for 2 years, $14 for one year. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, AZ 85026.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: West Valley View, 250 Litchfield Rd., #130 Goodyear, AZ 85338