Dr. Michael P. Conroy has been seeing patients at the new dermatology practice, DOCS (Dermatologists of Central States) in Bellefontaine now for one month, but said he already feels at home through his longtime familiarity with the area and through his previous relationships built with patients.
It’s been an exciting time for the Philadelphia native, who said he wanted to fill the “dermatology desert” in the Logan County and surrounding areas by offering world class care.
“I’ve always seen patients from Bellefontaine in my Dublin office, since Dublin is one of the first touch points of Columbus, traveling from this area,” said the board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, who co-founded Dermatologists of Greater Columbus in 2008.
“However, I feel like you shouldn’t have to drive all the way to Columbus for quality dermatology care. I love our new office in Bellefontaine and this is really what drives me – being able to fill this vacuum that exists with really good people.
“I feel like we’re already starting to generate a buzz with patients and providers in the area.”
DOCS is located at 2200 Timber Trail and Dr. Conroy is available to see patients, including with convenient early morning hours, starting at 6:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. weekdays.
The practice also will be adding an additional provider, Nancy Rozzo, board-certified family nurse practitioner, in the fall.
Dr. Conroy attended the University of Dayton for his undergraduate degree, and said he met his wife, who attended The Ohio State University, after college. She is a New Bremen native, so their travels often pass through Logan County to visit family members.
“Bellefontaine was one of those places near and dear to my heart. It was always a place that we stopped on our way to New Bremen from Columbus and back. I’ve had exposure to this area for a long time. “
Patients of all ages are treated at the new office and most insurances are accepted.
“I love seeing kids; I love seeing seniors and everyone in between,” Dr. Conroy said. “That’s the great thing about dermatology. Everyone has a skin issue at one point or another, no matter their age.”
Conditions treated and services offered include acne, skin cancer, skin cancer checks, rashes, rosacea, psoriasis, alopecia, cysts, lipoma, eczema, dermatitis, moles, mole removal, itchy skin, wart removal, scars, hair loss, balding, hair growth and hair removal. Cosmetic dermatology services, including Botox, also are available.
Dr. Conroy has clinical expertise in medical and surgical dermatology with an emphasis on dermatopatology.
Dermatopathologists are highly trained physicians who specializes in diagnosing disorders of the skin under a microscope. The subspecialty of dermatopathology is a combination of both dermatology (the diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail diseases) and pathology (identification of diseases microscopically).
“I really love that part of the job, being able to take a biopsy and read it under a microscope,” Dr. Conroy said.
The Philadelphia native said he was drawn to the University of Dayton in 1990 because his brother was serving as an assistant basketball coach there at the time. It was during his college undergraduate years that he met Dr. Steven Levitt, founder of Dermatologists of Southwest Ohio, who would influence his switch to the dermatology field. He worked in Dr. Levitt’s offices during his breaks from college.
“Previously, I thought I wanted to have a career coaching basketball coach, but meeting Dr. Levitt put my life on a different path,” he said. “He became my mentor and pushed me toward dermatology.”
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Dayton in 1995, Dr. Conroy attended Wright State University and graduated with his Master of Science in Human Anatomy in 1997.
During 2003, Dr. Conroy received his Doctor of Medicine from Drexel University School of Medicine (formerly MCP Hahnemann) in Philadelphia. His transitional internship took place at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus from 2003 to 2004.
From June 2004 to June 2007 Dr. Conroy completed the Dermatology Residency Program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and then completed his Dermatopathology Fellowship Program in June 2008 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.
In July 2008, he founded Dermatologists of Greater Columbus, joining forces with Dr. Bob Rau, who has subsequently retired.
Continuing to serve new and returning patients alike at DOCS in Bellefontaine, Dr. Conroy is looking forward to the natural growth and for Rozzo to join the office in the fall. He said the dermatology practice will prioritize community outreach, including through free skin cancer checks.
He related that Physician Outreach Director Diana Rigby is in the process of setting up the free screenings with Bellefontaine area civil servants, including police, firefighters and other first responders.
“This is always important to me — offering the free skin cancer checks. We want to offer it up to our first responders, and then will open it up to the community from there.”
To schedule an appointment, call (614) 760-1401 or visit docsdermgroup.com to schedule an appointment online.