UTICA — This October, Endwell–based Southern Tier Dermatology & Aesthetics will open a 2,200-square-foot office at 6 Rhoads Drive in Utica.
Michele Tagliaferri, RPA-C (registered physician assistant – certified), who has worked in the Utica–area dermatology industry for 11 years, will serve as lead provider.
The Utica area has a need for new dermatology providers to replace people who have retired, says Stephen Donnelly, president of Dynamic Innovation Group, a public-relations firm representing Southern Tier Dermatology & Aesthetics. “There are not a lot of dermatologists,” he says. That’s why Dr. Colleen Crandell, founder and co-owner of Southern Tier Dermatology along with Dr. Curt Fenkl, targeted the Utica area when scouting a new location.
“Having Michele’s invaluable expertise and experience treating the dermatological needs of patients in the area of our new office will ensure patients will be greeted by a trusted, friendly face from their hometown,” Dr. Fenkl said in a news release.
While many think of dermatology for complaints such as acne or wrinkles, there is much more to the practice than that, Donnelly notes. “They do full medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology,” he says. That means the practice does everything from removing moles to performing biopsies to test for melanoma and other cancers. Other services include treatment of chronic skin ailments such as psoriasis or eczema, Tagliaferri says.
Southern Tier Dermatology has invested about $250,000 in the Utica location, which will open Oct. 1. It worked with Heumann Realty, Inc. which also owns the building, on getting this space.
Work is currently under way to transform the space — once home to an orthodontist — into a modern dermatology office. Along with Tagliaferri, the office will employ four others to start and add staff as the practice grows, Donnelly says.
To spread the word about the practice, Donnelly says Southern Tier Dermatology is planning an advertising blitz in September and is networking with area health-care providers since many new patients come from referrals from primary-care doctors or other health-care providers. Southern Tier Dermatology will host a grand-opening event in November.
In February, Southern Tier Dermatology opened a practice in Big Flats. In early August, the company relocated its Vestal headquarters to a new $1.5 million facility in Endwell.
Founded in 2006, Southern Tier Dermatology & Aesthetics (www.stdermatology.com) works with nearly 25,000 patients.
Contact DeLore at tdelore@tmvbj.com