11 columbushosp.org COLUMBUS DERMATOLOGY CLINIC Full-time dermatology care For many years, people seeking skin care in the Columbus area had two choices: They could drive to a larger city to see a dermatologist or wait for one to visit Columbus. Unfortunately, Shari Watts felt these frustrations firsthand. Because she has a strong history of skin cancer in her family, Watts knows the importance of routine dermatology checkups. Initially, she sought care with a provider in Grand Island, Nebraska. However, she eventually stopped seeing that provider because of the nearly three-hour round-trip drive required for her appointment. It was then that she decided to find care closer to home. She contacted Columbus Community Hospital’s Visiting Physicians Clinic to schedule an appointment with a visiting provider. Watts said she was pleased with the care she received from the visiting provider, but since they were only in town one day a week, it made scheduling appointments difficult. “I was thrilled when I learned that the hospital was opening a dermatology clinic in Columbus,” she said. “Knowing there would be a local provider available full time was the driving factor for me seeking care at the clinic.” Shortly after the clinic’s opening in September 2023, Watts scheduled an appointment to visit with Dr. Dillon Clarey. She said the experience far exceeded her expectations, noting that Clarey was extremely thorough and didn’t take her frustrations lightly. When patients visit the clinic, they can expect a careful examination with relevant questions that might reveal a previously unnoticed condition. The providers will then use this information to make an accurate diagnosis and management plan. Watts said she believes that having a full-time dermatology clinic in Columbus results in better care. “I’m supposed to be seen by a dermatologist once a year for a checkup, but I haven’t gone in 10 years because it’s inconvenient to travel,” she said. “Now I will make the time, because it’s only an hour off of work, versus a whole day if I had to travel outside of town.” While Columbus Dermatology Clinic treats most skin, hair and nail conditions, the providers specialize in the following services: ● General dermatology ⊲ Skin cancer (basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma) ⊲ Acne ⊲ Rosacea ⊲ Eczema ⊲ Psoriasis ⊲ Seborrheic dermatitis ⊲ Warts ⊲ Molluscum contagiosum ⊲ Alopecia ⊲ Hives ⊲ Drug eruptions ⊲ Infantile hemangiomas ⊲ Ringworm ⊲ Toenail fungus ⊲ Bacterial and viral infections ⊲ Vasculitis ⊲ Skin cysts ⊲ Pruritus (itch) ● Cosmetic dermatology ● Multidisciplinary/autoimmune skin diseases ● Hair and nail conditions ● Botox Watts is happy to have regained control of her care and to experience newfound confidence in her skin. For her, what made the overall experience better was the personal connection she developed with the clinic’s staff. “All around, it was a great experience, and everyone was welcoming and professional,” she said. “But Dr. Clarey’s connection to Columbus made it personal. He was very genuine and truly cared about me. I have been treated by other dermatologists before, but none of them expressed the genuine concern he did in wanting to get to the root cause.” Book an appointment! Get to know more about Dr. Clarey and Columbus Dermatology Clinic at columbusdermatology.org. To schedule an appointment, call the clinic at 402-562-4870.
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