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Top Doctors 2010: The Evolution

Medicine keeps moving forward, thanks to practitioners such as these.

(page 7 of 7)

Peter Panzer | Dermatology

Peter Panzer started as a solo practitioner, but over the past three decades his Newark dermatology practice, Panzer Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, has grown to eight doctors and six physician assistants.

“The different doctors and providers bring to our patients different subspecialties and different personalities,” Panzer says. Four of the doctors are general dermatologists. Subspecialists include a facial plastic surgeon, two surgeons who are board certified in Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer removal and the latest addition to the staff, a dermatopathologist who can analyze biopsies. Because the practice is large, Panzer has the support staff necessary to work with insurance companies to help get treatments covered, he says.

Multiple staff for patients’ multiple needs is in keeping with Panzer’s philosophy of practice: Be as patient-friendly as possible and offer as many state-of-the-art treatments as possible in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.

As a general dermatologist, Panzer sees the traditional dermatological cases—psoriasis, acne, warts, skin cancer, and spider veins, to name a few. He’s also adept at diagnosing difficult rashes.

He cites the introduction of self-injectable biologic treatments for severe psoriasis as one of the big developments in dermatological care. “These therapies are incredibly effective at clearing and controlling severe psoriasis,” he says.

Though biologics have been available for six or so years, he adds, not all patients are aware of the option. In fact, of the millions of people with psoriasis, about half have not seen a dermatologist. That’s unfortunate, Panzer says, because there is now a range of effective treatments, including topical creams and ointments for mild psoriasis.

A recent introduction to the acne arsenal is Isolaz, a patented device that uses suction and intense pulsed light to treat persistent acne. Five to six weekly treatments are usually required, but insurance plans do not cover it, Panzer adds.

Thankfully, most people are now aware of the need to use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, Panzer says. Yet not everyone uses sunscreen properly. It should be applied 15 minutes before sun exposure so it can penetrate the skin. Today’s sunscreens are more effective than ever at protecting against cancer, he says. Those with UVA blockers are even more helpful at preventing photo-aging from the sun. In the near future, Panzer says, look for sunscreens that give protection ratings not only for UVB rays, as they do now, but also for UVA rays.