Tattoo removal is just the beginning for local business

Describe your business.

Surgical Dermatology & Laser Center gives our patients more confidence to face the future. We are a dermatology practice that specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction for skin cancer, laser tattoo removal, acne scar therapy and laser resurfacing.

What are the most common skin issues you see in Las Vegas?

Skin cancer, most commonly basal and squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. We are a referral center for skin cancer and see patients from California, Arizona and Southern Utah, in addition to our Southern Nevada patients.

Other problems we commonly see are unwanted tattoos, unsightly facial growths such as moles, warts, keratosis or cysts. We also commonly see acne scar patients who seek treatments to soften and blend their scars.

What makes your business unique?

What makes us most unique is our specialty training. Dr. Mac Machan and I are fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons and procedural dermatologists. This training gave us expertise in treating skin cancers that are large, recurrent, rare or located in difficult locations such as the eyelid, ear, nose or mouth. Dr. Machan and I have performed over 10,000 Mohs surgery cases. We routinely perform complicated reconstructions such as grafts of skin or cartilage and large skin flaps in order to restore the appearance of the face and hide the scars as well as possible.

What is your business philosophy?

Provide a high level of care in the most compassionate way possible, so a patient would never have the desire to seek treatment anywhere else.

What’s the most important part of your job?

Patient care always comes first. I want to connect with each patient, develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their needs and then execute the plan in an efficient and compassionate way.

What is the hardest part about doing business in Las Vegas?

Trying to change the paradigm of how the population views the Las Vegas medical community.

There are incredible physicians in Las Vegas who have trained at the very best institutions in the world. We have bright, dedicated, well-trained physicians in all specialties who work together to take care of our patients.

How can Nevada improve its business climate?

Rules and regulations that do not add to patient safety but add a significant burden of cost and time to medical practices should be abandoned. Large medical plans that exclude specialists who are solo physicians or small-group practices from their list of providers are not in the best interest of the people of Las Vegas.

What have you learned from the recession?

I have heard the stories of countless patients who have lost homes, businesses and retirement savings. But I have been impressed with the resilience of our people and the resilience of Las Vegas.

I have also learned not to overextend or be focused in one area. While it is necessary for business owners and individuals to take risks, it is important to evaluate the risks wisely and have a plan for success.