Recommend a DERM in Montgomery, AL

I live in Wetumpka, a couple miles up the road from you.  You've asked a tough question.  Everyone on this board will advise you that every doctor you see for melanoma needs to be a melanoma specialist.   As far as I've been able to discover, Montgomery doesn't have any.  The nearest Melanoma Treatment Center is the Kirklan Clinic at UAB in Birmingham.

I'm still "only" stage III, and thus far I've been satisfied with my local general oncologist (Dr. Stephen Davidson) and a general dermatologist (Dr. Mark Herron).  I love my oncologist.  He trained at UAB, and I know he was in contact with the melanoma folks at UAB while we were mapping out my treatment plan.  However, I also know if I ever go stage IV, I'll be asking for a referral to a Melanoma Treatment Center.

I'm just OK with my dermatologist.  He's only the 2nd one I've ever seen, so I don't really have anyone to judge him against.  I'd be curious to hear someone else's perspective. (The first one was 20 years ago, and he dismissed my itchy melanoma mole as nothing to worry about – put lotion on it for the itching.)

I live in Wetumpka, a couple miles up the road from you.  You've asked a tough question.  Everyone on this board will advise you that every doctor you see for melanoma needs to be a melanoma specialist.   As far as I've been able to discover, Montgomery doesn't have any.  The nearest Melanoma Treatment Center is the Kirklan Clinic at UAB in Birmingham.

I'm still "only" stage III, and thus far I've been satisfied with my local general oncologist (Dr. Stephen Davidson) and a general dermatologist (Dr. Mark Herron).  I love my oncologist.  He trained at UAB, and I know he was in contact with the melanoma folks at UAB while we were mapping out my treatment plan.  However, I also know if I ever go stage IV, I'll be asking for a referral to a Melanoma Treatment Center.

I'm just OK with my dermatologist.  He's only the 2nd one I've ever seen, so I don't really have anyone to judge him against.  I'd be curious to hear someone else's perspective. (The first one was 20 years ago, and he dismissed my itchy melanoma mole as nothing to worry about – put lotion on it for the itching.)

I would first find an oncologist that specializes in Melanoma and ask him for a recommendation.  See if the 2 docs work together.

I would first find an oncologist that specializes in Melanoma and ask him for a recommendation.  See if the 2 docs work together.

Holly,

Your multiple posts are happening because this board is slow to react.. Just push the post message once and then wait, and wait, and wait and eventually it will turn an orangish color and will post.

I've had 6 primaries and to tell you the truth I've found most of them myself!  I've had several different dermatologists because of insurance, we've moved, the derms moved ect.  Some have been better than others but basically you also have to learn your own body. It's not always possible to find a derm that specializes in melanoma.

For one of our moves I contacted a local teaching hospital and found a dermapathologist. Then I called him and asked him for a referral. I loved the Dr that he referred me to!  This derm was so busy he would only take those that had already been diagnosed with one of the 3 skin cancers. He was also a MOH's surgeon.  This might be a way for you to find a local derm.

Hope you never need to find a mel oncologist!!

Linda

Stage IV since 06

Holly,

Your multiple posts are happening because this board is slow to react.. Just push the post message once and then wait, and wait, and wait and eventually it will turn an orangish color and will post.

I've had 6 primaries and to tell you the truth I've found most of them myself!  I've had several different dermatologists because of insurance, we've moved, the derms moved ect.  Some have been better than others but basically you also have to learn your own body. It's not always possible to find a derm that specializes in melanoma.

For one of our moves I contacted a local teaching hospital and found a dermapathologist. Then I called him and asked him for a referral. I loved the Dr that he referred me to!  This derm was so busy he would only take those that had already been diagnosed with one of the 3 skin cancers. He was also a MOH's surgeon.  This might be a way for you to find a local derm.

Hope you never need to find a mel oncologist!!

Linda

Stage IV since 06