Business Insight Only Skin Deep Many people use the phrase, "only skin deep" to refer to something that is lacking depth or substance. In the case of a person's health, the skin can reveal much more than what meets the eye. A number of systemic illnesses can present through the skin and be the first sign of a serious internal issue. Dermatologists and primary care doctors should work as a team to help provide solutions to any new diagnoses that may arise. As a primary care physician, I hope to work with Dr. Bukhalo in situations such as this and care for the patients of this practice. presented by Arlington Dermatology In case we have not met yet, my name is Christopher Rivard, and I am returning to Arlington Dermatology as a new physician working closely with Dr. Bukhalo and the phenomenal midlevel providers here. I have had many new experiences since I was last a full-time employee here, back in 2014. These include completing medical school through the University of Illinois at Chicago, surviving the initial COVID outbreak, and a family medicine residency through Northwestern at Lake Forest Hospital/Grayslake outpatient center. Since finishing residency, I have been working closely with Dr. Bukhalo and the other providers for more exposure to skin conditions and their treatment options. Skin checks are a major part of your general health and should be performed by your primary care provider at your annual exams, and the dermatologist if certain conditions arise. Skin issues can be a result of chronic or long-term sun exposure, much like internal issues can be a result of chronic elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. The role of a primary care provider, like a dermatologist, is to curb long term issues at their early stages and manage acute issues when they present with new symptoms. Preventative screenings like skin checks, colonoscopies, mammograms, and blood draws all help keep patients healthy for long, fulfilling lives. Treatments like medications, vaccines, and lifestyle changes all maintain the work that is done by the preventative screenings and can get us back on track if there are signs of issues. It is my goal to educate patients on what preventative measures are needed, when they are needed, and when to refer to other providers to lend a hand in maintaining your overall health. Guidance is continually changing as we learn more about the human body and population level health, and it is my job to help educate patients on this. You probably already noticed from my words that I feel very strong about early intervention and prevention of diseases. Often too much we focus on health when it is too late to provide guidance to avoid the problem or when the problem is minimal. I could give you tons of examples of patients who ignored early signs of diabetes, hypertension, skin cancer, and ended up with more serious and extended interventions than needed at the beginning. Many of these diagnoses could have been avoided altogether. Our healthcare is focusing on disease and not on health. And the pattern continues with patients. My goal and the goal of Dr.Bukhalo is to focus on health and education. Achieving that goal means educating the whole community and presenting it as the optimal way to preserve your good health. More to come next week..... Christopher Rivard, MD Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Only Skin Deep Many people use the phrase , " only skin deep " to refer to something that is lacking depth or substance . In the case of a person's health , the skin can reveal much more than what meets the eye . A number of systemic illnesses can present through the skin and be the first sign of a serious internal issue . Dermatologists and primary care doctors should work as a team to help provide solutions to any new diagnoses that may arise . As a primary care physician , I hope to work with Dr. Bukhalo in situations such as this and care for the patients of this practice . presented by Arlington Dermatology In case we have not met yet , my name is Christopher Rivard , and I am returning to Arlington Dermatology as a new physician working closely with Dr. Bukhalo and the phenomenal midlevel providers here . I have had many new experiences since I was last a full - time employee here , back in 2014. These include completing medical school through the University of Illinois at Chicago , surviving the initial COVID outbreak , and a family medicine residency through Northwestern at Lake Forest Hospital / Grayslake outpatient center . Since finishing residency , I have been working closely with Dr. Bukhalo and the other providers for more exposure to skin conditions and their treatment options . Skin checks are a major part of your general health and should be performed by your primary care provider at your annual exams , and the dermatologist if certain conditions arise . Skin issues can be a result of chronic or long - term sun exposure , much like internal issues can be a result of chronic elevated blood pressure , blood sugar , and cholesterol . The role of a primary care provider , like a dermatologist , is to curb long term issues at their early stages and manage acute issues when they present with new symptoms . Preventative screenings like skin checks , colonoscopies , mammograms , and blood draws all help keep patients healthy for long , fulfilling lives . Treatments like medications , vaccines , and lifestyle changes all maintain the work that is done by the preventative screenings and can get us back on track if there are signs of issues . It is my goal to educate patients on what preventative measures are needed , when they are needed , and when to refer to other providers to lend a hand in maintaining your overall health . Guidance is continually changing as we learn more about the human body and population level health , and it is my job to help educate patients on this . You probably already noticed from my words that I feel very strong about early intervention and prevention of diseases . Often too much we focus on health when it is too late to provide guidance to avoid the problem or when the problem is minimal . I could give you tons of examples of patients who ignored early signs of diabetes , hypertension , skin cancer , and ended up with more serious and extended interventions than needed at the beginning . Many of these diagnoses could have been avoided altogether . Our healthcare is focusing on disease and not on health . And the pattern continues with patients . My goal and the goal of Dr.Bukhalo is to focus on health and education . Achieving that goal means educating the whole community and presenting it as the optimal way to preserve your good health . More to come next week ..... Christopher Rivard , MD Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net