15 Central Florida Locations to Serve You | 800-827-7546 | DermOrlando.com
Photo By Central Florida Health News Magazine
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, Associates in Dermatology proudly continues to deliver an unrivaled level of care to patients across 15 Central Florida communities.
“Our patients are loyal and love the dedicated care from our skilled dermatology providers, yet my focus is on healthy lifestyle habits and raising awareness and prevention,” Says Dr. Michael Steppie, its president and medical director.
Both the Dr. Phillips and Ocoee locations are “Centers of Excellence” in skin cancer treatment and include in-office laboratories as well as general and cosmetic dermatology services in addition to the treatment of the diseases of the skin, hair and nails.
Dr. Steppie is a highly qualified Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgeon and last July 2019, he was recognized by his peers and elected as a fellow of the American College of Physicians; earlier in June, he also became a member of the national psoriasis foundation.
Dr. Steppie is not your average dermatologist. In addition to being on the forefront of skin cancer treatment for decades, he is also engaged in advancing research and in life-saving awareness campaigns.
Not only an elite member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Amonette Circle for the last 10 consecutive years, Dr. Steppie also collaborated with Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona on a melanoma study which was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology as well as on a breakthrough study on vitiligo.
“I have always been curious by nature and I seek to be part of the solution.”
Similar to his pioneering in skin cancer awareness, Dr. Steppie now recently responded to a call to action from the CDC and Florida Department of Health regarding the alarming rise of STI/STDs in the country and the state of Florida for four consecutive years.
He has risen to the occasion and involved his team of skilled dermatology providers to increase awareness about these diseases, many symptoms of which will first present on the skin, making dermatologists among the first line of defense in the medical profession.
“We see all generations of patients in our practice for any skin concern, from baby boomers, pregnant women, adolescents and young adults—all of whom could be affected by Hepatitis A, B or C, STI/STDs or HPV and need to know about prevention,” says Dr. Steppie. “Unfortunately there is often a stigma and taboo associated with this topic, but by having these conversations with our patients—who are like family members—we seek to normalize conversations around sexual health.”
The legacy Dr. Steppie hopes to create by entering this new frontier is one of health and wellness for future generations of Floridians.