The Distinctive Dermatologist

In this revised/encore edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist, we revisit one of our most popular episodes of the past four years -- our time with Michael Carney.

Michael has experienced multiple treatment approaches, including Mohs surgery and GentleCure. In this candid conversation, he shares what it's really like to navigate those decisions—what builds trust, what creates doubt, and what patients wish they had known sooner.

Because the patient experience isn't defined by what we intend to deliver—it's defined by what patients actually experience.

And when patients discover they weren't fully informed of their options, trust doesn't just erode. It disappears.

If you're committed to delivering the Ultimate Customer Experience® and building a practice that earns deeper trust, this is a conversation you need to hear.

As always, our appreciation to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology. GentleCure...tough on cancer...easy on skin.

What do today's patients really want? Increasingly, the answer is simple: a choice.

In this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, host Scott McKain explores why patient choice has become one of the defining characteristics of exceptional dermatology practices.

Featuring insights from SkinCure Oncology CEO Kerwin Brandt, customer experience expert Joe Calloway, GentleCure Chief Brand Officer, Adam Lefton, a patient who shares his personal journey, and physician-surgeon Dr. Bob Hager, this episode examines patient choice from every angle—business, clinical, and personal.

You'll discover why informed patients expect to participate in decisions about their care, how consumer expectations are reshaping healthcare, and why practices that embrace meaningful choice are better positioned to build trust, loyalty, and distinction.

Whether you're a dermatologist, practice leader, or healthcare professional committed to elevating the patient experience, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating a practice where patients feel empowered, respected, and heard.

Because being distinctive isn't just about the treatments you provide—it's about the choices you make available.

Thanks to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, for making The Distinctive Dermatologist possible.

Our guest on this week's episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist is Robert Haber, MD. He is a Board Certified Dermatologist as well as a Pediatrician, and is a Clinical Professor in the Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

In his practice, he treats children and adults, and provides skin care for the entire family. Dr. Haber is considered one of the finest hair transplant surgeons in the world, and lectures internationally each year.

On this episode, we cover multiple topics including how generations are striving to keep a healty appearance, how communication is different in pediatric dermatology, and the benefits of IG-SRT in treating NMSC. We also address the issue of patient choice and how it contributes to ensuring trust in the physician.

Thanks, as always, to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring The Distinctive Dermatologist.

From a very uniquely designed and decorated clinic that is truly one-of-a-kind, to extensive experience in research as well as treating his dermatology patients, Dr. Douglass Forsha can easily be described as a "distinctive dermatologist."

In this episode, you'll learn about his journey from student to his successful practice near Salt Lake City. He wil talk about aspects of his diverse interests from Accutane as a way to prevent permanent facial and body scarring to shampooing techniques to manage seborrheic dermatitis.

Thanks to GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology for sponsoring this intriguing look at how a highly successful dermatologist delivers what has earned him repeat and referral business for many years on this edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist.

Joshua Swindle has seen the many sides of healthcare. From a radiation therapist treating patients to a C-Suite executive for a ground-breaking skin cancer treatment company, his varied career has been united by a central philosophy: It's first and always about the patient.

That's why his views on patient choice, the future of skin cancer treatment, and what's next in the field of dermatological oncology are both insightful and important. And they are the topic of this week's edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist.

Josh Swindle serves as the Chief Operating Officer of SkinCure Oncology, which is the sponsor of our podcast. However, his message is not specific to GentleCure -- it's important for all who are practitioners and patients seeking the most impactful and effective treatments.

Thanks to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, for making this program possible.

This week on The Distinctive Dermatologist, we explore one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of building a distinctive practice: the quality of every patient interaction.

Drawing from Scott McKain's Three Levels of Customer Interaction -- and revealling an unlikely business model: the Savannah Bananas -- this episode examines how dermatologists and clinics can move beyond routine transactions and create meaningful moments that build trust, confidence, and loyalty. Patients may come to your practice for medical expertise, but what they remember is how they were treated, how clearly they were informed, and how personally they felt their concerns were understood.

From the first phone call to the exam room conversation to follow-up communication after treatment, every interaction either strengthens or weakens the patient's perception of your practice. The distinctive dermatologist recognizes that clinical excellence and human connection are not competing priorities — they are both essential to delivering the Ultimate Patient Experience.

In this episode, we'll look at practical ways dermatologists, practice managers, and team members can improve communication, reduce patient anxiety, create greater consistency, and transform ordinary touchpoints into opportunities for distinction.

It's an episode you will want to share with your entire team at a staff meeting or a "lunch and learn" to have everyone in your clinic on the same page, moving toward an "Ultimate Customer Experience®."

Thanks to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, for supporting The Distinctive Dermatologist and its mission to help dermatology practices stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

Radiation therapy offers a significant advantage in treating non-melanoma skin cancers, but it is often overlooked when Mohs surgery is presented to patients as the sole option. Dedicated superficial treatment equipment, like that used in dermatology offices, provides an alternative and highly effective treatment with a superior patient experience. This integration not only benefits the patient by keeping them within their familiar practice but also enhances the practice's offerings and patient retention. The true art lies in building trust through open communication and ensuring patients are aware of all available treatment options. On this episode of The Distinctive Dermatologist, John Klade from SkinCure Oncology talks with Scott McKain about his new podcast for radiation therapists -- Born to Beam -- and discusses the role of the radiation therapist in a dermatology practice. Thanks, as always, to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology. GentleCure...tough on cancer...easy on skin.

In this special edition of The Distinctive Dermatologist, we've brought together a powerful collection of voices to share the most important ideas from recent conversations.

This episode is a curated collage of insights from a skin cancer patient, leadership perspective from the CEO of SkinCure Oncology, the originator of the Skin Cancer Treatment Journal, and business advisor Joe Calloway.

Each offers a different lens on what it takes to deliver better outcomes, stronger relationships, and a more meaningful patient experience.

From the patient's perspective, you'll hear what truly matters when facing a diagnosis and making treatment decisions. From leadership, you'll gain insight into the data of what patients are seeking now so you can deliver care that earns trust. And from the world of business, you'll discover what it takes to stand out in a competitive marketplace and create experiences that patients remember—and recommend.

What emerges is a simple but powerful truth: distinction in dermatology isn't built in isolation. It's created when clinical excellence, communication, leadership, and patient understanding come together.

If your goal is to strengthen your practice, elevate your patient experience, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, this episode delivers ideas you can apply immediately.

Special thanks to our sponsor, SkinCure Oncology and GentleCure, for their commitment to advancing patient-centered care and supporting The Distinctive Dermatologist.

In dermatology, the conversation around skin cancer treatment is evolving. This episode of "The Distinctive Dermatologist" features an interview with Adam Lefton, Chief Brand Officer of our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology. Adam introduces The Skin Cancer Treatment Journal, a new initiative on Substack, aims to bridge the gap between what patients are told and the full spectrum of available options, emphasizing informed consent. This journal tackles complex topics like policy, incentives, and the trust in medicine, moving beyond traditional marketing to foster thought leadership. It highlights that while Mohs surgery is effective for many, the critical issue is the absence of choice when it becomes the sole presented option, potentially eroding patient trust. The core problem being addressed is the problem where patients assume they are privy to all options, but often are not. This initiative encourages physicians and patients to explore the data, ethics, and realities shaping treatment decisions, ultimately advocating for patient empowerment in healthcare choices. Read more at: https://www.skincancerjournal.com Thanks to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology, who champion fully informed consent for all patients.

How do you stand out in a crowded marketplace when everyone claims to be different?

This week on The Distinctive Dermatologist, I'm joined by bestselling business author Joe Calloway, whose books include Becoming a Category of One, Be the Best at What Matters Most, and Magnetic.

Joe has spent decades helping organizations understand what truly earns loyalty, attracts customers, and creates meaningful distinction. In our conversation, we explore what it takes to become the obvious choice in your marketplace—and how those same principles apply directly to today's dermatology practices.

We discuss: • Why being "better" is more powerful than simply being bigger • How practices can become the preferred choice for patients and referrals • The real drivers of loyalty and word-of-mouth growth • Why clarity and consistency matter more than clever marketing • What leaders must do to create a culture patients can feel

Whether you lead a single practice or a multi-location organization, this conversation offers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

Thanks, as always, to our sponsor, GentleCure from SkinCure Oncology.