Meet DermacenterMD’s PA

Dr. Moore has chosen to include a PA as an integral part of his practice. DermacenterMD is currently home to one of the finest PAs in the area, Mariah Lefforge. Mariah works hand in hand with Dr. Moore to provide the best possible care for all patients seen at DermacenterMD.

Meet Mariah Lefforge PA-C

Mariah has been a part of the DermacenterMD team since 2007. She grew up in Bluffton, Indiana were she graduated valedictorian of her high school class. She was awarded a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship to the University of Indianapolis where she majored in chemistry. While at the University of Indianapolis, she volunteered at St. Francis Hospital and worked as a chemistry tutor and lab assistant, as well as a home health care CNA. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was in the top 10% of her class. She earned a Master’s of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of St. Francis where she served as vice president of her class. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants (IAPA) and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA).

In her spare time, Mariah enjoys playing tennis, volleyball and is an active member at her local church. She is the resident office comedian and enjoys making everyone smile and laugh.

If you are interested in recieving quality, professional care from our dermatology PA, please feel free to give our office a call at 574-522-0265 to schedule an appointment today.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered what happened? You just don’t look like you did once. The wrinkles are deeper, your lips are thinner and you feel as though you’ve lost the luster of youth. Well, a lot of these changes are not just happening to you. Many of these changes happen as a natural part of the aging process.

As we get older, our skin gets thinner and the fatty tissue that supports our cheeks and gives our face shape reduces the natural support we once had. This essentially leads to skin that sags a bit more. The wrinkles become deeper and the shadows are more pronounced. Though all of these changes sound challenging to overcome, some great advances in cosmetic dermatology have occurred that can create a more youthful look in a short period of time.

Filler substances are products which can be injected into the skin and provided near immediate improvement in how vibrant and youthful you look. These products can rapidly reduce wrinkles around the lips, reduce the shadows at the corners of the mouth, which makes people look more sad or angry, and provide fuller and more youthful cheeks. You can see the product effects of fillers before you leave the office!

As an expert in skin, aging and cosmetic rejuvenation, Dr. Moore can guide you to the right choice for improving your appearance. Dr. Moore is an expert in the art of injection fillers including Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Boletero, Radiesse and more. Dr. Moore and his dermatology team are the choice for many clients from Elkhart, South Bend, Goshen, Mishawaka and the surrounding areas.

If you’re interested in cosmetic rejuvenation, give us a call today to schedule a consultation:

574.522.0265

With warm sunny weather right around the corner, there will be lots of swimming, gardening, picnics, baseball games, and other outdoor activities.  Of course, more time outdoors means more sun exposure. Although most of the population is aware that there is a correlation between sun exposure and skin cancer, there are still many misunderstandings about who benefits from sun protection.

Q:  I tan easily, so I don't need to worry about skin cancer or wearing sunscreen, right?

A:  Although individuals with fair complexions are at a higher risk for skin cancer, people of all skin types can develop skin cancer.  Tanning is a protective response to ultraviolet radiation.  This means by the time you notice a tan, there has already been damage to your skin.  Cosmetically, tanning also speeds the aging process and can make certain types of age spots, melasma, and darkening of the skin after inflammation (called postinflammatory hyperpigmentation) more prominent.

Q:  I already have a lot of sun damage from when I was younger –isn't it too late for me to worry about using sunscreen now?

A:  It’s never too late to incorporate photoprotection into your routine!  In fact, one study showed that use of sunscreen in individuals already diagnosed with precancerous lesions decreased the number of new lesions that formed. 

Q:  There are so many options—how do I know I have the right kind of sunscreen?

A:  To get protection from both UVA and UVB rays, look for at least 1 of the following ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone), or Mexoryl (anthelios). Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are physical blockers that protect the skin by reflecting light and are excellent for people with sun sensitivity, melasma, or sensitive skin.  They are now available in micronized form to go on clear.  Many sunscreens with these ingredients have key words in the title such as “sensitive skin,” “natural,” or “chemical-free.”  Several baby sunscreens use these as active ingredients as well.  Make sure to apply about 30 minutes before your activity and reapply at least every 2 hours while you are outdoors. 

Sunscreens now come in lotions, creams, gels, sprays and powder formulations.  There are even types for dry, sensitive or acne prone skin, so everyone can find the perfect product to keep their skin healthy as they enjoy the beaufiful sunny days to come! 

So, what exactly is a Physician Assistant (PA) and what can they do for you? Find out what a PA is and the benefits of seeing a highly trained PA at DermacetnerMD.

Physician Assistants are also termed Mid-Level Providers. They are health care providers who are trained to administer medical care in coordination with a ‘Supervising Physician.’ They are trained to deliver a wide range of medical services through an advanced training program accredited by the American Academy of Physician Assistants.   Similar to a Nurse Practitioner, they have a master’s degree and are certified and licensed to see patients, perform procedures and write prescriptions. Their work is directly supervised by the head medical doctor of the practice, which at DermacenterMD, is Dr. Roger Moore, a board certified dermatologist.   

Dr. Moore’s physician assistants maintain good standing and are members of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. They are required to be certified and licensed as physician assistants (PA-C) and are medical providers formally trained in primary care and graduating from an accredited academic training program in the U.S. The average PA student is age 33, has over 4 years of health-care experience and a college degree before entering a PA program.  Typical backgrounds of PA students include nursing, EMT, paramedic or other medical backgrounds. Most Physician Assistant Programs last 24-27 continuous months and use the medical school model. To remain nationally certified, PAs must complete 100 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) every 2 years and pass a national re-certification exam every 6 years. While over half of all PAs remain in primary care, the rest can be found in every medical and surgical specialty, including dermatology.

Dr. Moore has chosen, like many dermatology providers, to have PAs because it allows his valued patients to have more rapid access to highly trained dermatology providers. DermacenterMD’s PAs are required to train under Dr. Moore years before they are able to function in a more independent manner. In addition, Dr. Moore has them participate in his rigorous training program that requires reading, lectures and examinations. In fact, Dr. Moore’s work with PAs has been integral in spurning Dr. Moore to develop an advanced online training program for mid-level providers across the nation. The new training program is termed Dermwise and has already been used by the former president of Chicago Dermatologic Society, with rave reviews. 

The benefit for our patients is having access to PAs who are focused individuals, competent and able to treat them in an efficient and professional manner. Our PAs have dedicated themselves to the field of dermatology and are surpassing the time devoted to dermatology by any other specialties. 

Learn more about Dr. Roger Moore and his PAs at our website www.DermacenterMD.com.  If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Moore or his PAs please call us at 574-522-0265.  

Looking better with more sleep?

The amount of sleep one gets can have an impact on their appearance.   As unfortunate as it may seem the little things like restless nights and trouble falling asleep can affect how the world sees you.   Getting more sleep can thus help not only make you feel better, but also appear more ready to handle the challenges the world has to offer.

Some items we can often detect in others who are sleep deprived can include dark circles under the eyes, bags under the eyes, more pale skin, slower communication, and a generalized lack of energy.   On the other hand a rested person will appear hydrated, have a better appearance and display more vibrancy and confidence.   So it is important to get proper rest on a daily basis.   Some tips to make sure you are optimizing your sleep include:

1. Set a schedule.   Our bodies adapt well to consistency in our schedules and this is important for sleeping.  When we go to bed at the same time our biologic clock will start preparing for rest at the expected time.

2. Take time to unwind before bed.  When we make an effort to get away from distractions of the day before bed time we can be more relaxed when it is time to sleep.   Eliminating stressful discussions, electronics and television thirty minutes before bed can help us fall to sleep quicker.

3. Try relaxation techniques.  Simple relaxation techniques can help.   Consider steps like closing the eyes and concentrating on our breathing while we take five slow deep breaths and mentally tell ourselves we are relaxed can be calming.   Other techniques may be tried as well.

4. Exercise routinely.  Though exercise too soon before bed and impede sleep due to the endorphins released, exercising can help us rest better.  Typically 20 minutes of exercise if permitted by our doctor several times a week no closer than 1 hour before bed can improve sleep.

These are a few of the simple steps we can take to improve our sleep quality and lead to a more healthy lifestyle.   Quality sleep can be a key to feeling our best and also looking our best.   Helping your body reach its potential on a daily basis often requires proper sleep.   Find ways to sleep your best to you look your best.