A cornerstone of the company’s founding mission, Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery utilizes a relationship-based care model between patient and clinician to deliver premier healthcare. Synthesizing both dermatologic and aesthetic services, the company’s leadership team enlightens us Writer: Lucy Pilgrim | Project Manager: Ben Weaver
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ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETIC SURGERY NORTH AMERICA
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ver the last decade, the “Part of the company’s evolution is dermatology industry in North its focus on value-based care – we priAmerica has significantly oritize educating our patients to focus grown. This stems from an increasing on prevention and early detection.” awareness of the importance of skin The aesthetics dermatology sector health, and as the global population is also increasingly sought after, ages, there is a correlative uptake in particularly cosmetic procedures the need for dermatologic care. such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal In addition, people of all ages are fillers, chemical peels, and laser and aware of solutions that address skin energy treatments, which have all issues as we get older, with more and seen steady growth in recent years. more addressing those problems at However, there is a limited a younger age. With increasing availability of practicing providers options, they want to turn to who can meet the increasing a trusted practice. demand, especially in Looking to the next 10 certain geographies. years, the need for quality This is compounded by dermatologic care and widespread labor shortages advanced non-invasive in healthcare. aesthetic services continues Fortunately, Advanced Dr. Matt Leavitt to grow. Dermatology has a substantial “The way we deliver this continues portfolio, expansive presence, and to evolve. Ongoing research has led to significant manpower to cater to the development of new treatments the increased patient requirements. and therapies to address skin issues As one of North America’s premier more effectively,” opens Dr. Matt dermatology practices, the company Leavitt, Founder and Executive operates across more than 150 offices Chairman of Advanced Dermatology in 14 states, with a comprehensive and Cosmetic Surgery (Advanced team of more than 400 clinicians and Dermatology). 2,000 total employees.
T H E P OW E R O F A PAT I E N T- C E N T R I C A P P R OAC H Healthcare Outlook Issue 4 | 3
As such, Advanced Dermatology has a commitment that is instilled in each team member to provide the highest quality care in dermatology and aesthetic services.
RELATIONSHIP-BASED CARE Advanced Dermatology was first established in 1989 by Dr. Leavitt, who envisioned becoming a leader in the field. From the company’s inception, he understood that the organization’s success would be built on making patient care and clinician excellence the primary pillars of its success. From this, the practice’s mission was clear - to deliver the highest quality patient care and experience in dermatology and aesthetic services. As a result, the company has become an industry leader in treating patients for common and complex skin, hair, and nail conditions, providing critical, advanced skin cancer treatments, and using some
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ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETIC SURGERY NORTH AMERICA
of the most sought-after therapies available to reduce the impacts of age and the environment. “We offer a wide array of noninvasive and non-surgical cosmetic and anti-aging treatment options, which are on the cutting edge of clinical research. Meanwhile, our dermatopathology labs provide high-quality, advanced diagnostic services,” Dr. Leavitt details. The key to Advanced Dermatology’s expertise is its patient-centered healthcare, built upon a state-of-theart, relationship-based care model. “By building and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships between patients, clinicians, and clinical staff, we improve the overall quality of care by concentrating on the patient’s unique needs and preferences,” he adds. As part of the model, the practice likewise focuses on the patient experience and closely tracks patient
satisfaction via quality metrics to ensure that it provides the best possible care. To further this, Advanced Dermatology fosters and nurtures relationships with primary care physicians (PCPs), who provide education about skin health, chronic conditions, preventative measures, and the early detection of skin cancer.
being physician-led, as its Medical Executive Committee leaders play a critical role in the company, advocating for state-of-theart patient care and clinician engagement. The committee is led by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Kaufmann, and comprises both region-specific and service-specific leaders, including representatives LEVERAGING LEADING for aesthetics services, PHYSICIANS pathology, and Mohs In concordance with its surgery, bringing to the relationship-based model, table an abundance the company also has of knowledge and a physician-led focus, understanding. stemming from its founding “As a physician-led Dr. Mark Kaufmann mission in which it was built from organization, our staff the ground up with patients at the provide direction, oversight, center. So much so, that today, Dr. focus, and leadership regarding all Leavitt still serves as the Executive aspects of clinical services and make Chairman. recommendations for initiatives to Consequently, Advanced continuously improve quality,” Dr. Dermatology prides itself on Kaufmann highlights.
ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY’S CORE VALUES • As a team, Advanced Dermatology shares a common purpose, a healthy culture, and unified goals. • The company provides service excellence through continuous improvement and innovation. • The company has integrity in holding itself accountable to ensure it fulfills the promises it makes. • Advanced Dermatology is committed to creating and fostering a positive, rewarding, and enjoyable workplace and promoting an environment of employee fellowship.
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Revolutionizing Dermatology: The Transformative Impact of ADCS and SKNV
This article encapsulates insights from an interview with ADSC, delving into their perspectives on SKNV. 1. Why should dermatologists care about SKNV? When we asked Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (ADCS) provider, Dr. Meg Lemon why she chooses to partner with SKNV, she said: “SKNV provides reliable medications at a great price point for patients, but also for medical providers, which allows us to make
a profit and provide medication conveniently in the office at the time of care. I was pleasantly surprised how much patients really liked this convenience.” SKNV was born from the realization that the U.S. insurance industry was failing dermatology patients. Constrained by the profit-driven interests of the insurance industry and big pharma, dermatologists were struggling to effectively treat patients. SKNV was launched in 2016 to challenge the status quo, aiming to empower
dermatologists with customized therapies that cater to individuals’ unique needs. Over the last eight years, SKNV established a reputation for helping dermatologists recapture the power to prescribe tailored treatments at a more affordable cost to patients, deliver improved outcomes, and generate revenue.
SKNV’s Unique Edge 2. What differentiates SKNV from other players in the pharmaceutical space? Just as Uber revolutionized the taxi industry, SKNV is disrupting in-office Rx dispensing. SKNV restores prescribing authority to physicians through accessible cash pricing at a lower cost than most prescription insurance copayments. This saves patients money and effectively circumvents the need for prior authorizations, freeing both patients and providers from the historical constraints of our broken healthcare system. Manufactured in a state-of-the-art U.S. FDA-Registered 503B Outsourcing Facility, SKNV’s medications follow stringent quality assurance measures with formulations tailored to patient needs and without the same harmful excipients found in comparable branded and generic drugs. 3. How do these differentiators add value to a dermatology practice? SKNV’s approach enhances clinical, administrative, and financial efficiency within dermatology practices.
We find that our Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery (ADCS) patients are increasingly more informed and concerned about the ingredients they put on their skin. On the clinical front, dermatologists are armed with the ability to tailor medication potency, choose the delivery vehicle, and select active and inactive ingredients.
“SKNV provides reliable medications at a great price point for patients, but also for medical providers, which allows us to make a profit and provide medication conveniently in the office at the time of care. I was pleasantly surprised how much patients really liked this convenience.” – Dr. Meg Lemon
SKNV provides a selection of over 120 dermatology-specific medications designed to treat a plethora of skin conditions, such as acne, fungal infections, dermatitis, melasma, rosacea, and more. On the administrative front, SKNV enables providers to prescribe unencumbered by third-party payers. Reducing the administrative burden associated with prior authorizations streamlines practice operations and enhances profitability, enabling staff to focus on more meaningful tasks. This also helps dermatologists regain control of their schedules and devote more time to patient care. On the financial front, SKNV can help monetize and add revenue to each practice with its customized medications. 4. Can you explain how SKNV determines which inactive ingredients to omit, and how do you ensure these formulations meet individual needs? SKNV’s formulation process is grounded in a data-driven, collaborative approach. Leveraging peer-reviewed, evidence-based studies, our team identifies and eliminates inactive ingredients that are potential allergens and/or irritants. Additionally, the company’s dermatology partners have the autonomy to customize treatments, ensuring each patient’s specific needs are met and cultivating a culture of collective discovery. By consistently refining their medications and learning from the collective expertise of dermatologists in ADCS’s network, SKNV not only upholds but also advances the best practices in dermatological care.
SKNV is special, here’s why 5. Can you share some success stories or case studies showcasing the effectiveness of SKNV’s approach in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction?
SKNV believes the true testament to the efficacy of its drugs and approaches come directly from those who use them in clinical practice. ADCS dermatology partners, who have firsthand experience with the results SKNV enables, are the most authentic voices in sharing success stories. When asked about the outcomes SKNV has enabled for his patients, Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Provider Jonathan Cox responded: “Having access to high quality and affordable prescriptions has improved medical care by allowing in-office dispensing of both medical and cosmetic prescription drugs at the time of care. This bypasses the expensive co-pays at the pharmacy with a high-quality medication and 100% satisfaction guarantee for our patients.”
SKNV provides a selection of over 120 dermatology-specific medications designed to treat a plethora of skin conditions, such as acne, fungal infections, dermatitis, melasma, rosacea, and more. 6. Finally, can you tell us more about the relationship between SKNV and Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery? SKNV has worked closely with many local practices in the Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery family for years now. The company offers a personalized and dedicated advisory approach to each ADCS partner, walking side by side with each staff member every step of the way. SKNV is dedicated to ensuring that every practice feels supported, not just supplied with medications.
Their commitment to ADCS partners extends far beyond supplying a customized dermatology system—SKNV is also deeply involved in supporting the success of the dermatologists it serves. SKNV Consultants are always available to help and consistently strive to contribute to the success and growth of their practice.
800-646-5040 info@sknv.com www.sknv.com
SKNV @sknvmade @sknvmade
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Furthermore, Advanced Dermatology’s management teams and regional operators are focused on providing administrative support for clinicians, which allows team members to dedicate their time and energy to delivering premier care. To further its clinician expertise, the company is committed to providing continuous education opportunities for both clinicians and residents. Both Dr. Leavitt and Dr. Kaufmann, as part of Advanced Dermatology, have partnered with Derm Squared, an industry-leading education platform. Together, the two companies host quarterly advanced therapeutics update events exclusive to Advanced Dermatology’s clinicians, where they can receive the most up-to-date clinical care education with world-class leaders and earn continuing medical education credits. Additionally, Advanced Dermatology offers an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited dermatology residency program designed to provide the clinical experience, educational resources, and mentorship support that produces exceptional dermatologists who engage in the ethical and compassionate practice of medicine. The company also offers a comprehensive Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Training Program, which provides didactic,
clinical, and procedural training. This includes direct patient care led by board-certified dermatologists in a supervised, structured environment, as well as sub-specialty training areas, such as Mohs surgery. “We standardize baseline clinical competencies to help ensure the best possible patient care and experience. We have successfully graduated over 70 advanced practitioners who have gone on to work in our clinics across the organization,” Dr. Kaufmann tells us.
Brian Griffin, CEO: “Our centralized supply chain allows for a higher level of attention when identifying and fostering relationships with suppliers and more sophisticated inventory management.
BEST-IN-FIELD TECHNOLOGY
“By maintaining optimal levels of
More recently, Advanced Dermatology has focused on identifying and implementing technology solutions and automation to drive better patient care, lower costs, and a high return on investment. The solutions include patient reminder automation, online booking, and web chat, which have improved patient communication and the overall experience. Moreover, the automation of faxes, voicemails, insurance verification, and calling campaigns, as well as call center artificial intelligence (AI), have streamlined clinical operations. “We are set on keeping up with technology changes in healthcare. One example is the implementation of check-in kiosks within our clinics for a more efficient check-in process.
stock, we can react to dynamic
“ O U R O P E R AT I O N S D A S H B O A R D H A S T R A N S FO R M E D O U R A B I L I T Y TO M A N AG E D AY-T O - D AY O P E R AT I O N S , W H I L E O U R C L I N I C S H O L D H I G H - L E V E L A N D D E TA I L E D I N F O R M AT I O N T H AT I S C O N S U M A B L E B Y ALL FIELD-LEVEL TEAMS” – BRIAN GRIFFIN, CEO, A D VA N C E D D E R M AT O L O G Y A N D C O S M E T I C S U R G E R Y
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Healthcare Outlook: Could you tell us about the importance of Advanced Dermatology’s centralized supply chain?
shifts in the marketplace, provide supplies to clinics based on usage, and reduce excess inventory. “We recognize that supply chain management is likely to become more stressed in the future, and it’s an area where we have an advantage given our size and economies of scale. Our scope has helped to reduce costs by consolidating procurement, production, and distribution. “Most importantly, we are also able to maintain consistency in product quality and standards.”
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back office and surgery scheduling. The company’s technological expertise proved vital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming agile in providing telehealth across its practices, which allowed patients to consult with dermatologists remotely. On top of this, Advanced Dermatology has recently pursued licensure to deliver virtual care in additional states, to meet and stay up to date with the needs of innovative, national care provider groups and accountable care organizations. “With this ability to deliver care virtually across most of the country, we continue to pursue partnerships with retail health providers, accountable care organizations, payers, and risk-bearing providers to operate as the preferred dermatology network,” comments James Philbin, Chief Development Officer.
SUPPORTING STAFF AND THE COMMUNITY The company prides itself on caring deeply for both its team base and local communities. Regarding the former, it is laser-focused on employee engagement and retention. “Employee satisfaction matters from day one, and we provide our teams with onboarding resources and comprehensive training to set them up for success,” Griffin affirms.
Sherry L.H. Maragh, MD, Mohs Surgeon
“Our operations dashboard has transformed our ability to manage day-to-day operations, while our clinics hold high-level and detailed information that is consumable by all field-level teams,” CEO, Brian Griffin outlines. Given the size of the practice, Advanced Dermatology has also centralized administrative tasks for
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“ B Y B U I L D I N G A N D M A I N TA I N I N G P O S I T I V E A N D C O L L A B O R AT I V E R E L AT I O N S H I P S B E T W E E N P AT I E N T S , C L I N I C I A N S , A N D C L I N I C A L S TA F F, W E I M P R OV E T H E OV E R A L L Q UA L I T Y O F C A R E B Y C O N C E N T R AT I N G O N T H E P AT I E N T ’ S UNIQUE NEEDS AND PREFERENCES” – D R . M AT T L E AV I T T, F O U N D E R A N D E X E C U T I V E C H A I R M A N , A D VA N C E D D E R M AT O L O G Y A N D C O S M E T I C S U R G E R Y
Dr. Melinda Greenfield is a board-certified dermatologist with offices in the Jacksonville, Florida area as well as in Albany, Georgia. In her practice, Dr. Greenfield has over 20 years of experience with Photodynamic therapy (PDT). We spoke with Dr. Greenfield about her interest in using PDT to treat Actinic Keratoses (AK) and how she utilizes it daily.
beach in a large golfing community. Patients understand that they will need to take time away from their outdoor activities and, therefore, plan their treatments accordingly. Treatment expectations are reiterated at the initial visit and the time of treatment. I have visual aids that I show every patient so they know how they will likely look at various stages of the treatment. My staff are all fully trained to have the same discussion with patients. We give patients an office email to correspond with us in case they are concerned with their treatment. I see every patient back in one month to look at their skin and discuss their results.
What benefits does PDT offer AK patients?
Why do you think PDT isn’t used as widely as it should be?
PDT is a comprehensive treatment option for many patients with AK. We provide our patients with information on all the available treatment options, and many are surprised that they have not been offered PDT elsewhere. Once my patients have a better understanding of the benefits of PDT, they are happy to utilize this effective therapy. Furthermore, patients are more than happy to return for subsequent treatments when they see their results. In fact, many patients will refer friends and family because they are so impressed with their outcomes.
How do you educate your patients about AK and why it’s important to treat the lesions and the surrounding skin? I will discuss the iceberg analogy of actinic keratoses with my patients and explain the difference between lesion-directed vs fielddirected therapies. I also discuss long-term skin maintenance and prevention of potentially worse outcomes if early treatment isn’t accomplished.
How do you manage patient expectations pre-treatmen during, and post-treatment? I review expected outcomes and downtime with each patient. My main office is located at the
There might still be perceived barriers in the industry due to the outlay of initial costs for the lamp and the drug (topical aminolevulinic acid – ALA) and perhaps some confusion or uncertainty regarding reimbursements, proper medical coding, etc. In my region, we have excellent treatment and drug reimbursement. It’s essential for anyone considering this treatment to check with their specific local and regional insurance carriers to make sure coverage is adequate.
“Biofrontera Inc. is a US-based biopharmaceutical company commercializing a portfolio of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of dermatological conditions. Biofrontera Inc. was founded in March 2015 with a vision to bring innovative therapies and service to patients and healthcare providers in the dermatology community, building trusted partnerships and leading with science.”
Contact us for more information at info-us@biofrontera.com or www.biofrontera-us.com
ADVANCED DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETIC SURGERY NORTH AMERICA
In support of its team, the company established the Advanced Dermatology Hardship to Hope Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, to provide short-term financial assistance to employees and eligible dependents who encounter financial hardship due to an unanticipated crisis or catastrophic circumstances. The foundation has already had a positive impact on hundreds of Advanced Dermatology employees, most recently assisting team members affected by Hurricane Ian, 14 | Healthcare Outlook Issue 4
in which the charity paid $92,000 to grant recipients. Regarding the company’s corporate citizenry, Advanced Dermatology also provides free skin cancer screenings in the local community and leads in-person and virtual events to educate people on the importance of skin cancer prevention and early detection. Meanwhile, the practice is consistently identifying how cosmetic dermatology is evolving to ensure that it has the best approach to treat its patients. This is evidenced by its investment in the latest devices, including CoolPeel, Venus Versa, and Hydrafacial, while expanding into new injectables. The practice offers a wide range of treatments and skincare products, including its proprietary Proscriptix FX skin care and hair care line. “We will continue to adapt as new treatments emerge and patient needs evolve. Our aesthetics clinical leadership team reviews our services portfolio, clinical standards, and practices, and identifies pre- and post-care regimens to improve outcomes,” Griffin says. Advanced Dermatology also works with a multitude of healthcare and cosmetic companies to stay on top of the latest advances in both medical and cosmetic dermatology to ensure it is leveraging the latest research and clinical studies to identify advanced treatments and ensure the best patient outcomes. Advanced Dermatology provides a holistic approach to skin health, addressing both medical and aesthetic concerns. Coupled with a patient-centric focus and best-infield physicians, the company looks forward to greater success.
Nevisense skin cancer detection
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