The Distinctive Dermatologist

The Example You Set: Purpose, Mentorship, and Patient Experience

What makes a dermatologist—or a dermatology practice—truly memorable? Clinical expertise matters, but patients and colleagues also remember how you communicate, how you respond when circumstances become difficult, and the example you set every day.

On this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, host Scott McKain explores the connection between patient experience, personal purpose, and professional example.

Author and business consultant Joe Calloway shares his perspective as both a customer-experience expert and a dermatology patient. He explains why patients compare their dermatology practice not only with other healthcare providers but also with every organization that provides them with an exceptional experience. From the website and telephone call to the way an appointment delay is handled, every interaction shapes the patient's confidence.

Dr. Douglass Forcha discusses his unexpected path into medicine and dermatology—and the deeply personal experience that helped inspire his career. When his mother became terminally ill, her physician continued to visit and care for her. Although the outcome could not change, the doctor's compassion made an impression that lasted for decades.

Dr. Rania Agha shares how extraordinary mentors influenced her development as a dermatologist, surgeon, educator, and patient advocate. She recalls an important lesson from Dr. William Beeson: skill can make someone a good surgeon, but a great surgeon must also know how to manage complications.

The central message is simple: Most of us can remember someone whose example expanded our idea of who we could become. Eventually, the challenge is no longer merely to admire that example—it is to become it for our teams, our colleagues, and our patients.

Your reason for doing this work becomes most powerful when others can see it reflected in the way you do the work.

Our thanks to GentleCure, sponsor of The Distinctive Dermatologist.

The Distinctive Dermatologist is hosted by Scott McKain, CSP, CPAE.

What makes a great patient experience? It's more than a welcoming staff, convenient scheduling, or an efficient appointment. One of the most important questions may be: Did the patient have a meaningful voice in their own care?

On this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain explores why patient choice is an essential—and sometimes overlooked—part of the patient experience.

You'll hear directly from Mike, a skin cancer patient, about his experience and what mattered to him when considering treatment. Laura Billet of GentleCure shares insights about what patients expect from their interactions with dermatologists, while Adam Lefton of GentleCure examines what happens when patients are offered only the treatment their physician or practice provides.

Finally, Kerwin Brandt, CEO and co-founder of SkinCure Oncology, shares the remarkable patient experience that helped inspire the creation of the company—and explains why listening to what patients want can be more than the right thing to do. Happier, more engaged patients can become loyal advocates who generate positive reviews, referrals, and practice growth.

The central message is simple:

The best patient experience isn't created by deciding for the patient. It's created by caring enough to decide with the patient.

This is because the treatment conversation isn't separate from the patient experience. It is part of the patient experience.

Our thanks to the sponsor of The Distinctive Dermatologist, GentleCure, helping dermatology practices provide Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IG-SRT) as a non-surgical treatment option for appropriate patients with non-melanoma skin cancer

What makes one dermatology practice feel ordinary — while another becomes memorable?

On this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain explores the details that can transform a clinic from simply a place where patients receive treatment into an experience that earns their loyalty, repeat visits, and referrals.

Dr. Douglass Forsha shares the story behind his distinctive Salt Lake City-area practice, including how thoughtful design, artwork, fresh flowers, and attention to seemingly small details can create an environment patients notice and remember.

Then, Laura Billet, Director of Brand Strategy and Marketing for SkinCure Oncology, draws upon years of visiting dermatology and plastic surgery practices across the country to reveal what she has observed in the practices that get the patient experience right.

The conversation explores everything from the importance of the front desk and employee onboarding to better communication when physicians are running behind, easier appointment scheduling, technology, consistent branding, and the importance of dermatologists remaining curious about new treatments and innovations.

And perhaps most importantly, there's no single formula for creating a distinctive practice. What matters is intentionally creating an experience that reflects who you are, what you stand for, and how you want patients to feel.

Because patients notice the details — and those details can influence whether they return, refer others, and become advocates for your practice.

Our thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for its continued sponsorship of The Distinctive Dermatologist and for supporting our mission to help dermatology practices create exceptional experiences for the patients they serve.

GentleCure — Tough on Cancer. Gentle on Skin.

On this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain explores how education shapes not only clinical excellence, but also patient confidence, trust, and the overall experience of care.

Dr. Bob Haber discusses why continuing education remains essential for dermatologists in an ever-changing profession. Dr. Billie Cassé shares her approach to educating patients in ways that create clarity rather than confusion. Josh Swindle, Chief Operating Officer of SkinCure Oncology, offers insights from patient data about what people truly want from their dermatology practice. And John Klade of GentleCure examines the important role radiation therapists can play in creating an exceptional patient experience.

Throughout the episode, one idea emerges clearly: access to information isn't the same as understanding.

The distinctive practice helps patients understand their choices, know what to expect, feel heard, and become more confident in the care they receive.

Because education isn't simply the transfer of information. Done well, it becomes an essential part of the patient experience.

Our thanks to GentleCure for its continued sponsorship of The Distinctive Dermatologist and for supporting our mission to help dermatology practices deliver exceptional care and create more meaningful patient experiences.

This week on The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain sits down with Dr. Billie Cassé, founder of Reno Tahoe Dermatology, for an engaging conversation about the journey that led her to become one of the nation's most respected dermatologists. Since opening her own practice in 2022, Dr. Cassé has built a reputation for combining outstanding clinical care with a deeply personalized approach to the patient experience.

But this conversation goes far beyond her personal story.

Dr. Cassé shares her perspective on where dermatology is headed—from advances in technology and treatment options to the growing importance of patient choice, communication, and trust. She discusses what today's patients expect from their physicians, how practices can prepare for the future, and why successful dermatologists must continually evolve without losing sight of the human connection at the heart of medicine.

Whether you're an established dermatologist, just beginning your career, or leading a growing practice, you'll find valuable insights on building a practice that not only delivers exceptional clinical outcomes—but also earns lasting patient loyalty.

Join Scott McKain and Dr. Billie Cassé for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of dermatology.

The Distinctive Dermatologist is brought to you by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology. GentleCure...tough on cancer. Easy on skin.

What separates a successful dermatology practice from one that merely survives?

In this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain sits down with renowned dermatologist Dr. Rania Agha for a conversation about the principles that create long-term practice success. From delivering an exceptional patient experience to earning trust, building loyalty, and creating a culture of excellence, Dr. Agha shares practical insights drawn from years of experience serving patients and leading a thriving practice.

Whether you're an established dermatologist or building your practice for the future, you'll discover strategies that strengthen patient relationships, inspire referrals, and help your practice stand out for all the right reasons.

Because the most successful dermatology practices don't just provide outstanding clinical care—they create experiences that patients remember, recommend, and return for.

The Distinctive Dermatologist is proudly sponsored by GentleCure® from SkinCure Oncology—tough on cancer, gentle on skin.

Why does someone choose dermatology over every other medical specialty?

This week on The Distinctive Dermatologist, host Scott McKain sits down with two highly respected physicians—Dr. Bob Haber of Cleveland and Dr. Douglass Forsha of Salt Lake City—to explore the personal journeys that led them into dermatology.

Their answers go far beyond career decisions. They reveal the experiences, mentors, passions, and purpose that shaped their approach to caring for patients. Along the way, you'll discover that the best dermatologists aren't simply experts in diagnosing and treating skin conditions—they're professionals driven by a genuine commitment to improving lives.

Whether you're a dermatologist, a member of a clinical team, or simply interested in the human side of medicine, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on what inspires exceptional physicians and why purpose matters in creating an outstanding patient experience.

As always, The Distinctive Dermatologist is brought to you by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology. GentleCure is tough on cancer, easy on skin.

Something is changing in the way patients approach the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Increasingly, patients aren't simply asking their dermatologist, "What treatment do you recommend?" They're doing their own research. They're learning about their options. And a growing number are reaching out specifically to ask about non-surgical treatment with Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy—IG-SRT.

That raises an important question for every dermatologist: Are patient expectations evolving faster than the treatment options your practice is prepared to discuss?

In this encore episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain speaks with Kerwin Brandt, CEO and co-founder of SkinCure Oncology, about the remarkable growth of IG-SRT and the increasing awareness of GentleCure among patients seeking treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer.

This conversation isn't about suggesting that one clinically established treatment option is right for every patient. It's about something increasingly important in healthcare: informed patient choice.

When patients arrive having already researched non-surgical alternatives—or begin contacting practices specifically looking for them—the marketplace is sending a signal. The question is whether your practice is prepared to hear it.

For dermatologists committed to staying current with changing patient expectations, strengthening the patient experience, and ensuring that appropriate patients understand the clinically established options available to them, this encore conversation is more relevant today than when it was first released.

The future of dermatology won't be defined only by advances in treatment. It will also be shaped by how effectively practices respond to increasingly informed patients who want to understand their choices.

Listen to this important conversation with Kerwin Brandt—and consider what the growing demand for IG-SRT may mean for the future of your practice.

The Distinctive Dermatologist is brought to you by GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology—tough on cancer, easy on skin.

In this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, Scott McKain explores an often-overlooked driver of patient loyalty: understanding what matters most to patients—not just clinically, but personally.

Many dermatology practices focus on successful treatment outcomes, yet patients frequently place just as much importance on how they will look after treatment. From cosmetic concerns to confidence and quality of life, the patient perspective can differ significantly from what providers assume.

Scott is joined by bestselling author Joe Calloway, who shares his own perspective as a loyal dermatology patient and explains how understanding customer priorities creates lasting loyalty. You'll also hear insights from renowned dermatologist Dr. Bob Haber on why aesthetic outcomes have become increasingly important, particularly for older patients who want to maintain both their health and their appearance.

Later in the episode, GentleCure Chief Operating Officer Josh Swindle discusses research revealing what patients diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer value most when making treatment decisions. Radiation therapist John Clodday adds a frontline perspective on how meaningful patient relationships are built throughout the treatment journey—not just in the physician's exam room.

If your goal is to strengthen patient trust, increase referrals, and build a practice known for delivering an exceptional patient experience, this episode offers valuable insights into putting patients first—because distinctive practices don't simply treat disease; they understand what matters most to the people they serve.

For the first time in the almost four-year history of our podcast, we are featuring the non-surgical alternative to Mohs surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer, IG-SRT...image guided superficial radiation therapy.

The leading organization behind this revolution in patient care is our long-time sponsor -- GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology.

In this episode, we'll hear from a leading dermatologist on how this treatement is integrated into his practice. We will learn of the history of GentleCure's founding from its CEO, and we will be challenged to think deeply about the implementation of innovative and successful therapies in medicine from GentleCure's Chief Brand Officer.

It's an important dermatological discussion on this week's The Distinctive Dermatologist.