Aging Beautifully
Now celebrating 40 years in practice, Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting takes a medically driven, scientifically proven approach to restoring patients’ skin health.
Jonathan T. Wolfe, M.D., remembers feeling right at home when he joined Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting P.C. in 1997. More than anything, he appreciated the devotion to the “Golden Rule”—a patient-first approach that has fueled the practice’s growth since its founding in 1981.
“This is our 40th year of serving the community,” says Dr. Wolfe, now director of medical dermatology for Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. “Dr. Steven Binnick recruited me to the practice, and his philosophy of medicine was like mine. Just as it was then, our primary goal is to do what’s best for the patient and treat people the way we would want to be treated; everything else is secondary.”
Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting has earned its reputation as a medically driven dermatology practice devoted to scientifically proven therapeutic options. The staff includes a team of physicians and physician assistants who use their expertise and state-of-the-art technology to deliver a comprehensive suite of dermatology services. While much has changed since the practice’s inception, the foundation on which Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting was built remains firmly in place.
“We treat people of all ages,” Dr. Wolfe adds. “There are not many dermatologic practices that can provide what we provide all in one place—from skin cancer surgery, to pathology, to cosmetic skin care. We are a skincare health center. Whether we are providing a cosmetic treatment to make someone feel better about themselves or addressing a potentially life-threatening situation like skin cancer, in both cases we are helping people with their skin. When you come to our office, you are seen by board-certified healthcare providers, and if you have a problem, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Our group includes Drs. Erica Perilstein and Michael Lehrer, who have been with the practice for over 10 years, providing medical and skin cancer care to our patients,” he continues. “Dr. Kathleen McGuinn joined us two years ago to supplement our medical staff after finishing her training at Jefferson. Two physician assistants, Debbie Szafran and Debra Omlor, both have over a decade of dermatological experience and round out our medical team. Dr. Debra Jih is a board-certified dermatopathologist, looking at individual biopsies in our office to expedite results. Our team works together to provide well-rounded, scientifically proven therapies to optimize results.”
The clinical team also includes Thomas Griffin Jr., M.D., who followed in the footsteps of his father and his aunt, both dermatologists. Today he serves as the co-director of Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting’s Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center. The center provides an array of cosmetic dermatology services designed to enhance the health and appearance of the skin, as well as improve a patient’s overall sense of wellbeing.
“Cosmetic dermatology represents an active area of growth for us as a practice, and the results we can deliver have dramatically improved,” adds Dr. Wolfe. Popular services include laser skin resurfacing, cosmetic injectables such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators, and microdermabrasion, among others.
“We not only use the most powerful and state-of-the-art devices, but also mix that technology with a team of talented people whose sole focus is on health and aesthetics,” Dr. Griffin says. “That mixture enables us to do almost anything with the skin. We’re not doing face-lifts, but we have the wonderful ability to treat all generations with the full scope of dermatology—medical, surgical, and cosmetic.”
In other words, he and other members of the clinical team can address any dermatology need. It’s easy to see how patients might benefit from such varied expertise.
“Every time we see a patient who is referred to us for cosmetic purposes, we are examining them for overall skin health,” Dr. Griffin adds. “Someone might come here thinking they need treatment for what they think is a scar, but we determine it’s a basal cell [carcinoma], or they come here because of brown spots that turn out to be melanoma. We’re able to look at a patient medically first, and then treat them cosmetically if appropriate.”
When it comes to cosmetic procedures, Dr. Griffin suggests education and ongoing maintenance are vital to effective patient care. He spends a great deal of time talking with patients about their goals and options for treatment, which will evolve as they age.
“Our goal for every patient who comes in for cosmetic treatment is to get them where they want to be,” he says. “The great thing about our practice is that we have a ton of options to get them there. The goal is to have a rested appearance, where people will say, ‘Your skin looks amazing!’ That’s where the art comes in.”
Transformation and Innovation
Nazanin Saedi, M.D., recently joined Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting as co-director of the Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center. Though she has been with the practice only a short time, she was quite familiar with the practice before joining the team. Previously she worked as co-director of cutaneous surgery and director of laser surgery and cosmetic dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University.
“There’s a huge transformative aspect to cosmetic dermatology, but there’s also an innovative aspect,” Dr. Saedi says. “Surgery, particularly laser surgery, is where the innovation is. It’s where we really push the boundaries of science, medicine, and technology. At our office, we are fortunate to have so many new cutting-edge technologies.”
The MOXI and HALO fractional lasers are good examples. MOXI is ideal for individuals seeking “prejuvenation” or light touchups for uneven pigmentation, tone and texture issues, and minimal sun damage. The HALO laser, on the other hand, effectively treats patients with fine lines and wrinkles, scarring (including acne scars), and significant sun damage or more visible signs of aging. Patients who receive either treatment can return to everyday activities with little to no downtime.
Patients are not the only ones who have come to rely on the specialized expertise of Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. The practice is actively involved in clinical-research studies and trials of groundbreaking therapies for various skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. In addition, members of the clinical team serve as medical advisors to several technology companies, working behind the scenes to determine the most appropriate uses of yet-to-be-released lasers and allied technology.
The doctors also impart their knowledge beyond the walls of the practice. Dr. Wolfe serves as the division head of dermatology at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery in East Norriton, as well as a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lehrer is also a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Saedi, meanwhile, continues to educate by lecturing to peers on the national and international stage. She has shared her research in advances in cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery with members of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Society of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
Dr. Wolfe is proud of the practice’s evolution and growth over the years. Given the skill and expertise of the clinical team in place, he’s even more bullish about the future.
“Our goal is to deliver high-end service in every aspect of the practice,” he says. “We are not a spa. I think patients appreciate that approach when they visit their doctor for skin care.”
This approach has led to Dermatology Associates being named “Best of Montgomery County” for five straight years by the Times Herald. As Dr. Wolfe says, “Innovation and science in combination with individualized care is our company’s driving force, and will continue to be so in the years ahead.”
Eleni McGeehin, M.D., will be the newest provider to join Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. Having graduated from Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. McGeehin recently completed her dermatology training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She will bring her extensive background in autoimmune skin diseases to the practice in fall 2021.
Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting
531 W. Germantown Pike, 2nd Floor
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 828-0400
Einstein Montgomery Medical Center
609 W. Germantown Pike, Suite 201
East Norriton, PA 19403
Photograph by Nina Lea Photography
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, August 2021.
