Dermatology department growth offers new options

Since the start of the dermatology program at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine in 2018, the momentum of the program has continued to build, resulting in expanding services and access to patients.

"The amount that the dermatology department has accomplished in a short amount of time is a testament to the team we have assembled," said Ashley Wysong, MD, chair of the UNMC Department of Dermatology.

From left, Nicole Harter, MD, Matthew Stepany, MD, Laura Vargo, MD, and Melodi Whitley, MD

There currently are 11 dermatology physicians, with four recently joining the team from August through October:

• Nicole Harter, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology
• Matthew Stephany, MD, general dermatology, cutaneous lymphoma, medical director of medical dermatology
• Laura Vargo, MD, general dermatology
• Melodi Whitley, MD, PhD, general dermatology, translational researcher in high-risk skin cancer, director of transplant dermatology

"As we continue to grow our team and provide access to high-quality comprehensive dermatologic care in an area of the country that remains underserved, we also expand our opportunity to teach more prosperous students and resident physicians and enlarge our academic mission," Dr. Wysong said.

The addition of more highly skilled physicians allows the department to continue to innovate, educate and expand its specialty clinic offerings. Dermatology specialty clinics include the following:

• High Risk Skin Cancer Clinic: Adam Sutton, MD, and Dr. Wysong are experts in high-risk melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer and fellowship trained micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology specialists. In addition to performing Mohs micrographic surgery, they are active participants in multidisciplinary tumor boards and coordinate closely with our teams in otolaryngology, surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology to provide comprehensive skin cancer care.
• Multidisciplinary Rheum-Derm Clinic: This multidisciplinary clinic boasts expertise in both dermatology and rheumatology with co-directors Megan Arthur, MD from dermatology and Jennifer Medlin, MD, from rheumatology.
• Multidisciplinary Autoimmune Bullous/Blistering Disease Clinic: Led by Corey Georgesen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, in conjunction with oral and maxillofacial surgery and ophthalmology, this dedicated clinic is for diagnosing and managing patients with inherited or acquired blistering diseases such as pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis and others.
• Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic: Drs. Wysong and Stephany work with Matthew Lunning, DO, Avy Kallam, MBBS, and Julie Vose, MD, of medical oncology as well as Chuck Enke, MD, in radiation oncology and faculty in dermatopathology and heme pathology to care for patients with cutaneous lymphomas.
• HIV/Infectious Disease Dermatology Clinic: Located at the Specialty Care Cente, Jennifer Adams, MD, and infectious disease experts see patients to diagnose and treat cutaneous manifestations of HIV and other cutaneous infectious diseases.
• Hansen's Disease National Site: Dr. Adams is an expert in infectious disease and tropical medicine dermatology and sees patients on a regular and referral basis for cutaneous leprosy.
• Skin of Color/Ethnic Skin Dermatology Clinic: Led by Kristie Hayes, MD, this clinic offers specialized services for patients of color or ethnic skin.
• Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) National Center: Drs. Arthur and Adams see patients with all types of porphyria and are trained in placement of Scenes’, an implanted device that delivers famelanotide to increase tolerance to the sun and light in adults with a confirmed diagnosis of EPP.
• Transplant Dermatology Clinics (pre-transplant evaluation and post-transplant surveillance): The newest specialty clinic under development is led by Dr. Whitley. Dr. Whitley has a special interest in organ and hematologic (stem cell) transplant patients and will be partnering with our heart, lung, kidney, pancreas/small bowel and stem cell transplant teams to develop specialized, multidisciplinary clinics for our transplant patients. Dr. Whitley will begin seeing post-transplant surveillance patients in October during her dedicated transplant dermatology clinics held on the first, third and fifth Mondays of the month.

In addition to the growing number of specialty clinics, the number of locations where dermatology physicians see patients continues to expand. While in the initial stages of expanding space at Village Pointe Health Center and on the med center campus, the physicians also see patients at Chalco Health Center, Elkhorn Health Center, Lauritzen Outpatient Center, Omaha VA Medical Center and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.

"The catalyst for the continued growth stems from a large demand for dermatologic care in our community and having a dedicated team that knows what we can accomplish together," Dr. Wysong said. "Every physician and every staff member share the same vision for this department. We all strive to innovate, be better and continue to grow, for the patients, for the students, and for ourselves."

To learn more about the dermatology program or to make an appointment, visit NebraskaMed.com/dermatology.