Provider Spotlight: Cindy Huang, PA-C

Cindy Huang is Florida Skin Center's physician assistant for the Lehigh Acres office. She is the newest provider to join our team. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University, and her Masters in Medical Science from Arcadia University.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant?

After college, I worked in behavioral cardiovascular research for several years, and interacted with subjects that would ask me a lot of medical questions that I could not answer. I have always had a desire to help people, and so I decided I wanted to become more directly involved in patient care. The physician assistant profession was appealing to me, because it allows one to provide care to patients but still have a life outside of work.

What are some of the highlights of your career? 

I would say working for Florida Skin Center is the highlight of my career. I worked for a few different practices in New York before moving here, and I have not come across a better organization to work for. Dr. Badia is an excellent and caring physician, and my colleagues are awesome. We work as a team to serve our patients, who are our #1 priority. It is always very rewarding to hear good feedback from patients that I have taken care of - those are usually highlights of my day/career! 

What are three things a patient can do to maintain healthy skin?

Moisturize your skin daily, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 (and reapply at least every 2 hours), and get regular full-body skin checks.

What do you include in your own skin care regimen? 

I use Skin Medica's Retinol Complex and TNS Eye Repair to help keep my skin looking more youthful by reducing the look of fine lines and dark circles. I also like Skin Medica's HA5 Hydrator, which makes my skin feel very soft and smooth almost instantly. I use Colorescience's Sunforgettable in the morning, which is a powder mineral sunscreen. It's very quick to apply, which is crucial because I'm always in a rush in the morning!

What are the most common procedures you perform? What are the ones you most commonly recommend?   

Being a dermatology physician assistant is great because we get to do both cosmetic and medical procedures. The most common medical procedures I perform are skin biopsies; they are also the most common medical procedure I recommend, because a large percentage of patients coming in for their full-body skin checks are not aware of some of the abnormal moles or growths on their body that need to be tested. On the cosmetic side, it depends on what the patient is looking to improve. One of the many great things about Florida Skin Center is that we offer a full array of cosmetic/aesthetic (and medical) services, so we have many options to treat the signs of aging, from fillers and Botox to laser to chemical peels to microneedling.

What do you like to do for fun? 

I love to try new restaurants, play sports, and do DIY projects. I also love spending time with my 2 cute nephews.

What do you like most about working at FSC? 

The FSC culture, which emphasizes teamwork and growth. I enjoy coming in to work every morning and knowing that I'm part of a team that cares about each other, both personally and professionally. 

What is the last book you read? 
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, although I'm still working on it!

Provider Spotlight: Brooke Drew, PA-C

Brooke Drew is Florida Skin Center's physician assistant for the Cape Coral office. She has been with Florida Skin Center for 3 years. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of South Florida, and her Masters in Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant?

Science was my favorite subject in school, and I have always had a desire to help people. I chose to become a Physician Assistant to help others, while also having time to be with and take care of my family.  I had some of my own experiences with skin conditions at a young age, and that is what made me want to pursue a career in Dermatology.

What are some of the highlights of your career? 

I can say that I am in my dream career. Dr Badia is a wonderful physician to work with and my colleagues are top notch. I am proud to have the Cape Coral location open to serve patients’ needs for everything from routine skin checks, to surgeries, lasers, and cosmetic procedures on a daily basis. I love when patients come back and tell me their condition is better, and knowing that I can potentially change their life by taking care of their skin.

What are three things a patient can do to maintain healthy skin?

Cleansing, Moisturizing, and Sunscreen (a yearly skin check of course goes along with the sunscreen).

What do you include in your own skin care regimen? 

To keep my skin clear and youthful, I use Skin Medica's AHA/BHA wash. It gives me the right balance of clean and also helps to exfoliate away dead skin. I also use retinol and TNS Essential Serum daily. These products help to exfoliate and improve collagen to keep my skin looking refreshed. I finish my daily routine with Skin Medica's Tinted Total Defense and Repair. It gives me protection (SPF 30) and color for the day.

What are the most common procedures you perform? What are the ones you most commonly recommend?   

One thing I love about my career as a Dermatology Physician Assistant is that I do a little of everything. Routine biopsies are the most common procedures I do, but I really enjoy surgery.

What do you like to do for fun? 

I am married and a mother of 2 busy girls, ages 2 and 4. We have family in the area and spend a lot of time with them. We also like to go on the boat (of course with sunscreen and protective clothing ;) )

What do you like most about working at FSC? 

Relationships and the ability to grow. We are a close family here at FSC, and we all care for each other. We are encouraged to grow and take on new tasks, responsibilities, and are always learning.

What is the last book you read? 

I am studying to recertify for my Physician Assistant National Boards this year, so I have been doing a lot of reading and taking courses to prepare.

Provider Spotlight: Shirisha Vallarapu, PA-C

Shirisha Vallarapu is Florida Skin Center's senior physician assistant. She received her B.S. in Microbiology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and her Masters in Medical Science and B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from Nova Southeastern University. If you are a patient of our Fort Myers office, you most likely have met her!

What inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant? 

I knew I always wanted a career in healthcare from a young age. I also wanted a career that would give me an opportunity to have a good work life balance and raise a family. My career as a PA has been very rewarding. I love having my own schedule and seeing patients daily while also getting to do a mix of procedures while  having plenty of family time.

What are some of the highlights of your career? 

Florida Skin Center was my very first job straight out of school. I have been working with Dr. Badia for over 13 years. I think the highlight of my career has been seeing the growth within myself and Florida Skin Center as we continue to grow and expand. I also love how I have built great relationships with our patients over the years. And see them out when I am out in the community.

What are three things a patient can do to maintain healthy skin? 

Sunscreen is vital to maintaining healthy skin especially here in SW FL and I recommend we wear it daily. Developing a good skin regimen at an early age for prevention, that includes retinol and antioxidants because although we all age, we can do it gracefully; and getting annual skin checks. We don’t know what we can’t see.

What are the most common procedures you perform? What are the ones you most commonly recommend?  

What I love about working at Florida Skin Center is that I get the opportunity to do medical and cosmetic procedures.  On the medical side, I perform biopsies to rule out skin cancers and other conditions, as well as surgeries to remove skin cancers.  I also love doing cosmetics for patients because it’s amazing to see how much better we feel about ourselves by doing simple non-invasive procedures like fillers, Botox and lasers.

What do you like to do for fun?

I have been married for 10 years and have two little boys, 2 and 7, who keep me on my toes. We love going to Disney and Lakes Park and doing all things boy.

What do you like most about working at FSC?

The culture. It is such a great work environment. The ladies I work with are all wonderful and are like a second family to me. We all genuinely care for each other and want the best for each other and our patients.

What is the last book you read?

I like a good suspense novel. The last book I read was : A Girl on a Train. Would love suggestions!

Common Pediatric Dermatology Conditions Series: Week 4 -Pityriasis Rosea

Pityriasis Rosea is a rash commonly seen in children and adults. The rash classically starts with a larger spot called a “herald patch.” This first patch is often red, raised, and slightly scaly.  A few days after the patch appears, many smaller spots will begin to appear, often in the shape of a Christmas tree. Although the rash may look concerning, it is not contagious and will go away within 4-10 weeks. Other symptoms can include headache, tiredness, fever, sore throat before the rash appears, but many people are asymptomatic.  Although the exact cause of pityriasis rosea is unknown, it is thought to be caused by certain viruses.

Many times the rash is asymptomatic, but in some the rash can be quite itchy and cause discomfort.  If the rash itches or continues for longer than 10 weeks, it is best to see a doctor so they can ensure the rash is properly diagnosed and prescribe medications to help with itching.  Treatments for itch include steroids, and antihistamines. There is no cure for pityriasis rosea, and treatment is symptomatic. Pityriasis rosea doesn’t cause scarring, and usually does not recur.

This weeks blog written by guest blogger: Abby Leboza, PA Student from Nova Southeastern