Appen Media Group
January Special Section
2 | January 2021 | AppenMedia.com
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Congratulations to Dr. Brent Taylor and First Class Ever of Board-Certified Mohs Surgeons Brought to you by – Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Congratulations go out to dermatologists who passed the first ever Mohs surgery board exam. In an effort to ensure a consistent base level of knowledge among physicians claiming expertise in micrographic surgery, the dermatology community banded together to approve and formally recognize the subspecialty of “Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery” aka Mohs surgery. Formal recognition means that micrographic dermatologic surgery is now one of the subspecialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and is now governed by the American Board of Dermatology. Named after Dr. Frederic Mohs who pioneered the technique, Mohs surgery is a technique for removing skin cancer that involves removing a cancer in “layers” or stages, examining the edges of the removed tissue under a microscope and continuing to remove cancer until the margins are clear of tumor. Mohs surgery has long been the gold standard method for curing most skin cancers, with cure rates for most tumors treated with Mohs surgery exceeding 99%. The certifying exam was held from October 4th-8th, 2021. This eight hour, one day exam tests knowledge considered critical within the field of Mohs surgery. Tested content includes such topics as how to troubleshoot problems in the Mohs laboratory, how best to repair the wounds that result from Mohs surgery, and pitfalls when diagnosing cancer under a microscope. Test-takers were warned that they would likely have to wait up to 12 weeks for results. After much anticipation, results are in, and those who passed can now claim to be “board certified” not only in dermatology but also in micrographic surgery. A critical piece of information for patients seeking out a Mohs surgeon is that it remains as important as ever to ensure that your Mohs surgeon is fellowshiptrained and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery (information available at www.mohscollege.org). Surprisingly, completing a fellowship in Mohs surgery was not a prerequisite for taking this new board exam. Until 2025, any board-certified dermatologist who claims to practice Mohs surgery will be allowed to take the exam, even if Mohs surgery is a minor part of his or her practice and even if the doctor did not perform a fellowship. These individuals will be “grandfathered in.” From 2025 on, the exam will only be open to those who have completed a fellowship in Mohs surgery, but all who pass the exam prior to that time will have the opportunity to maintain board certification
permanently without a fellowship. Mohs surgery fellowships are one to two year apprenticeships in which a dermatologist is trained by an experienced Mohs surgeon in the facets of skin cancer diagnosis, treatment and wound reconstruction. Being “board certified” means that one has a certain base level of knowledge. But being a fellowship-trained member of the American College of Mohs Surgery means that one has been formally trained in Mohs surgery during an intensive additional one to two years of tutelage with a mentor Mohs surgeon. This training includes hands-on experience with difficult and challenging cases and experience that, in this author’s opinion, cannot be gleaned from textbooks alone. Understanding the testable nuances of surgery versus actually being able to perform surgery on a patient with a desirable outcome are two totally different propositions. For now, finding a Mohs surgeon with the strongest verifiable credentials means ensuring that your physician is fellowshiptrained in Mohs surgery and is board certified not only in dermatology but also in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS). If the reader has a friend or relative outside of Georgia, then this is up-to-theminute, current advice for how to identify a maximally credentialed Mohs surgeon. If the reader is fortunate enough to live in the wonderful state of Georgia, then if you or a loved one has a skin cancer or a skin care need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor and Kathryn Filipek, PA-C are delighted to help you achieve your skin health goals. Dr. Taylor graduated from Harvard in three years, is board certified in dermatology, board certified in micrographic dermatologic surgery (Mohs surgery), fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery and venous medicine and certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in treating venous disease. Kathryn Filipek has greater than 15 years of dermatology experience with expertise in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Again, congratulations to the first ever group of board certified Mohs surgeons, class of 2021!
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AppenMedia.com | January 2021 | 3
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Get That Check-Up! 4 | January 2021 | AppenMedia.com
Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Medicare Insurance Broker, SeniorSource Medicare Solutions The Annual Check-Up. Have you been seen by your Primary Care Physician lately? Some say, “I went to my heart doctor and he said all looks good”, and though this is wonderful news for your heart health, he is not looking at the body as a whole. Others may not seek a check-up because of fear of what the primary doctor might find. However, this only leads to more health complications in the future. For one reason or another, many people on Medicare don’t get their annual check-ups. This can lead to health problems, potential hospital stays, or early death. Health is so important to me, and should be to everyone. Not all health problems are avoidable, but many of them can be with preventive care. With modern medicine, we now have the tools, tests, and knowledge to help beat back bad health.
Medicare now puts emphasis on prevention. These preventive screenings come at no cost to all Medicare beneficiaries. A visit to your primary care physician could help in early detection of diseases. If you have already been diagnosed with a health condition, ask your doctor if it could be managed through consistent monitoring and some specific changes in lifestyle. If you are new to the idea of preventive health, or just looking for more information on prevention, the federal government has a great resource at www.Health.gov. This is the website for The Department of Disease Prevention. On this website, you can find tips on healthy eating, exercise, and staying healthy as we age. If you have questions about how your specific Medicare plan covers preventive services and extra benefits to help keep you healthy, reach out to us at (770) 913-6464 or check out our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com. Here’s to good health in 2022!
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AppenMedia.com | January 2021 | 5
Building a Village: Embracing our Community Brought to you by – Village Park Village Park Milton Activities Coordinator, Donna B., innovates the senior living experience in a way that creates unforgettable moments with residents and team members. She often coordinates programs that give residents the opportunity to stay engaged with the greater surrounding community. The programs at Village Park Milton give a taste of Alpharetta’s best while residents enjoy the comforts of home. On occasion, BrewAble ‘brewistas’ stop by and share the delights of their freshly brewed coffee, teas, and pastries with residents and team members. Along with enjoying the tastes of local brews, the community also enjoys the sounds of the Alpharetta Jazz Band. Donna recently connected with the city band and a mutual relationship formed that gives residents a chance to enjoy scheduled rehearsals and performances from the talented group. In addition to enjoying the talents of others, residents often share their own. Artists are abundant at Village Park Milton. While taking notice of the beautiful pieces found throughout the community, Donna set forward to make sure the work of residents is seen. In
March 2022, residents of Village Park Milton and Village Park Alpharetta will be showcasing their artwork at the Alpharetta Arts Center. Before joining Village Park Milton, Donna held various titles including restaurant owner and veterinary technician. Her past experiences equipped her with lessons that she uses daily to create happiness for seniors. While working in the restaurant industry, she learned the importance of building relationships throughout the community. Donna believes that in order to succeed, everybody on the team needs to work together saying, “It takes a village to run a village.” She ensures residents and staff know their voices are heard. On her days off, Donna provides an opportunity for members of the community to share their thoughts and opinions through a suggestion box she leaves outside of her office. While creating happiness for seniors, Donna also creates happiness for the community as a whole. Village Park Senior Living believes in connecting with our neighbors and giving back to those surrounding us. To learn more about activities, events and what’s happening at Village Park Milton, give us a call at (470) 509-4557 or stop by and visit us at
Bungalows & Cottages City Homes Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Village Park Milton 555 Wills Road Alpharetta, GA 30009 470.509.4557
Village Park Alpharetta 12300 Morris Road Alpharetta, GA 30005 678.740.3499
6 | January 2021 | AppenMedia.com
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