Find Health & Comfort In Your Skin

Our providers now offer new services through our Skin Clinic.

While family medicine provider Kristen Budahn, MD, FAAFP, was in her residency, she took a special interest in skin care, undergoing extra training with a dermatologist.

“I enjoy helping people achieve clear skin, and I’m passionate about making skin cancer screening and treatment as accessible and timely as possible,” said Dr. Budahn.

During her eight-year tenure at GRH, Dr. Budahn has regularly seen patients for skin concerns. After witnessing an increased need for skin care services in our community, she helped form our dedicated Skin Clinic.

“Having these kinds of skin care services in our community is huge,” said Dr. Budahn. “People are less likely to let concerns go if they have easy, convenient access to be seen for their concerns.”

The creation of our Skin Clinic has opened up availability to be seen by Dr. Budahn, as well as Kari Knodel Vettel, MPAS, PA-C, and Michelle Quale, CNM, FNP-BC, during dedicated hours set just for patients with skin concerns.

Having more immediate access to skin care can make all the difference for some patients. With long drives and wait times for dermatology appointments elsewhere, the expansion of our Skin Clinic services brings care to our community, faster.

“With a lot of skin cancers, it’s about early treatment – with melanoma, early treatment can save lives,” said Michelle. “The quicker we can catch a concern, the smaller the affected the area is, and the less invasive the procedure or solution will be.”

Everything Under the Sun

Skin cancer is easiest to treat when detected early. Our Skin Clinic plays an important role in safeguarding patient health, not only by offering skin cancer screenings, but in offering quick access to treatment.

Our Skin Clinic providers often collaborate with general surgeon Elizabeth Colsen, MD, FACS, who sees patients for surgical procedures in our operating room to remove skin cancers. When scheduling allows, Dr. Budahn will call in Dr. Colsen to speak with a patient being biopsied for skin cancer. Dr. Colsen and the patient have time to talk through the procedure and answer any questions, and when the pathology comes back to confirm the presence of skin cancer, the patient is able to schedule the surgical procedure without the need for any additional pre-op appointments with Dr. Colsen. Patients who require further cancer treatment are able to see Steven Rousey, MD, FACP, on our Glencoe campus, where chemotherapy treatment is also available.

“I want to make skin cancer treatment as accessible and timely as possible. I usually know if something is going to be skin cancer or not – it’s not very often that I’m surprised,” said Dr. Budahn. “If I see something that looks like a basal cell but needs a bigger incision to be removed and should be done in the operating room, it’s so convenient for our patients to have our surgeons right here in Glencoe.”

A skin exam can identify early signs of skin cancer and other skin conditions, and by identifying any irregularities early on, you can receive prompt treatment and better outcomes. Regular skin exams are critical if you or your family has a history of skin cancer, if you have a large number of moles, a history of severe sunburns, or if you spend a lot of time in the sun.

A Clear Solution

For patients grappling with conditions such as acne, our Skin Clinic offers a solution. Our comprehensive approach to acne treatment, including the prescription of Accutane for some patients, empowers individuals to reclaim their confidence and achieve clear, radiant skin.

“With acne, a big misconception is that people don’t know how treatable it really is,” said Kari Knodel Vettel, MPAS, PA-C. “You shouldn’t have to live with acne – we can help.”

Patients who receive Accutane treatment typically see results within the second or third month of treatment. Accutane is considered a curative treatment, and patients typically end treatment after five to six months.

“By the end of treatment, their skin is clear, and normally their acne doesn’t come back,” said Kari.

Witnessing transformation in not only skin health, but confidence and well-being is one of Dr. Budahn’s favorite parts of the Skin Clinic.

“Some patients are quite emotional after their positive results – some people have lived the majority of their lives with acne, and seeing their skin clear for this first time is a powerful emotion,” said Dr. Budahn. “I love seeing my patients’ confidence grow as they go through treatment. Especially with teenagers – they really come out of their shell, and you get to see a completely different side of them as they gain more and more confidence.”

Skin Conditions We Treat

Skin care at every age and stage – Hear from our patients!

Khloe

Seen for chronic eczema. “Khloe has struggled with chronic eczema from as early as a few months old, and would scratch her skin in places until it broke and created open sores. At around five months old, she was placed in a plagiocephaly helmet and had a severe reaction to the foam lining along her cheeks. Thanks to Dr. Budahn, we were able to get her skin under control to complete the plagiocephaly helmet therapy. With day-to-day recommendations and prescription topical ointments, Khloe’s skin has improved significantly. Any flare-ups are much more manageable with Dr. Budahn’s help. The impact this has had on Khloe’s health has been indescribable.”
– Hailey, Khloe’s mom

Kaci

Seen for acne treatment. “I struggled with acne all throughout high school, and it took a toll on my mental health. I didn’t feel confident in my own skin. After booking my first skin care appointment, I knew my skin was in good hands. Now, I can go out without makeup and wear tank tops without my scars showing or worrying about people judging me and feeling insecure. I couldn’t have asked for better staff to take care of me – they answered my questions and concerns throughout my treatment, were professional, and always welcomed me with a smile. I had such a great experience with the staff at GRH!”

Lynn

Seen for melanoma. “After noticing a mole on my upper chest that was easily picked at and would sometimes bleed, I saw my primary care provider, Amanda Leino, MD, who referred me to have the mole and additional lymph nodes removed. After scheduling an appointment with Dr. Budahn, she did a full-body skin check and found several areas of concern. She communicated her findings clearly and thoroughly explained my options for treatment. Having GRH close to home means a lot to me, so I don’t have a distance to drive for appointments. After successfully removing the concerning spots, I’m now very conscious of staying out of the sun and wearing long sleeves, sunscreen, and a hat. Life can continue as normal, with just a bit more care. Dr. Budahn and her nurses have been wonderful throughout this process!”

Paula

Seen for melanoma. “After I noticed a mole on the side of my neck that had been getting bigger and my son suggested I talk to my primary care provider about my concerns, I saw Mackenzie Lobitz, MD, to share my concerns with her. Dr. Lobitz referred me to the Skin Clinic, where the mole was removed and sent to be examined. When it came back as melanoma, I made an appointment with Dr. Colsen to remove the concerning areas. Even though I was initially anxious about the diagnosis, I felt better knowing I had care close to home. The staff were caring, informative, and reassuring throughout the entire process, which made a big difference to me. They cared about me as a person. When I came in for my surgery, I was relaxed. I wasn’t worried – because they made me feel so comfortable and reassured. They were really there for me. It made me feel good to know that I could make all of my appointments from start to finish here, without needing to drive into the cities.”

Meet our team of skin care providers

To schedule an appointment with a skin care provider, call us at 320-864-7816.