Small business profile: Dermatologists provide protection in the Valley of the Sun
In the Phoenix area, there are about 299 sunny days a year, on average. While the climate in the Valley of Sun can sprinkle a normally-welcomed spot of sunshine on residents, it also brings a high rate of melanoma skin cancer, according to the CDC.
For the East Valley Dermatology Center, helping those affected by melanoma is a passion – as is healing all forms of skin irregularities found in their patients. In fact the founder of the center, Dr. Rosemary Geary, sees a little bit of herself in those she helps.
I found that I really enjoyed dermatology, especially growing up in Arizona where people get a good amount of sunburns.
“I had severe acne growing up, and spent most of my time at the dermatology office,” she said in an interview with BBVA Compass’ External Communications team. “For a while there, actually, I thought that was the only type of doctor there was. I found that I really enjoyed dermatology, especially growing up in Arizona where people get a good amount of sunburns.”
After opening the practice in 1998, she met Dr. Ryan Falsey in 2007 at a dermatology conference in San Diego. Both doctors are native children of the Grand Canyon State, and both are graduates of the University of Arizona, making it an easy decision for Dr. Falsey to join the practice
The East Valley Dermatology Center does the basics for dermatology patients, but if there’s one thing that makes the practice stand out in the Phoenix area, it’s a facility-specific advantage.
“We have everything under one roof,” says Dr. Geary. “All of our different dermatologists and mid-level providers are here, and we do our surgeries here, so we can treat almost any type of skin condition. Other practices may not have those resources. It’s kind of nice that we’re all here together to share ideas and help each other out with difficult cases.”
It is also fitting that the doctors bank with BBVA Compass as small business clients, as both are pillars of their community and do their part to create opportunities, much like the bank’s brand mission.
A handful of staff members at the East Valley Dermatology Center.
“We’re both assistant professors at the University of Arizona,” said Dr. Falsey. “We also have a journal club here every month, and we’ll go over the scientific literature with the entire team. We’re a unique clinic that focuses on our patients, and on the academic side of our practice. I’ve never seen that with other practices.”
In all, the center has 50 employees, ten providers, two Mohs surgeons, and volunteers countless hours to serve the community, including free checkups. Over the years, it has grown substantially from its original roots with the help of BBVA Compass, who Dr. Geary says has given their practice top professional financial since 2009. She specifically mentioned Commercial Banking Relationship Manager Alison Abramson, who is their main point of contact at the bank.
“Unlike other banks, they’re more business-friendly,” she said, “And Alison has helped us multiple times by finding better loans and better interest rates for us. “
“There’s no comparison,” said Dr. Falsey. “Her willingness to respond quickly and her personal touch have been immensely helpful.”
For more information on the East Valley Dermatology Center, click here.
For more information on BBVA Compass’ products for small businesses, click here.
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