High Tech Keeps Practice Growing - Business Journal of Yuba and Sutter Counties

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High Tech Keeps Practice Growing
Reprinted from the Business Journal of Yuba and Sutter Counties, October 16, 2000

By L.B. Brimer
The Business Journal

There is a difference between using state of the art techniques and equipment and being state of the art. For the Advanced Skin and Allergy center, becoming state of the art has been the name of the game from the beginning. With the emphasis on being a complete Dermatology and Allergy Center, the formula has spelled success for the medical practice that is attracting patients from all corners of the North Valley.

Being able to provide Yuba-Sutter patients with services they could receive anywhere in the U.S. has been the strategy that has developed the office into a top-notch center that is attracting clients from Sacramento and the surrounding region.

The medical center has built its reputation, 80,000 patients worth, upon staying up to the minute by using the most advanced equipment available, and is in expansion mode.

The center is expanding its treatment facilities, leasing 1,000 square feet of additional office space to accommodate non-invasive therapies and procedures. The new facility, located across from the centerÕs Del Norte Ave. site, will be home to advanced, computer-controlled lasers, including CoolTouch and Fotofacial, as well as Endermologie equipment." I never thought we would outgrow this building," said Peppercorn of the 4,000 sq.ft. facility he designed and built with the help of Estrada Engineering. The seven treatment rooms and office space was thought to be a little over-reaching at the time. "When we designed and built it I thought it might be too big, we might not ever fill it up."

The expansion is seen as a way to give patients a little more privacy for procedures that are more personal as well. "People like the idea of confidentiality. If someone comes in for facial hair removal, the shift across the street will give them more confidentiality," said Peppercorn. The Del Norte site will remain home to the equipment and staff required for more invasive procedures such as liposuction. Dr. Robert Peppercorn, M.D., Inc. has spent the last 19 years building the centerÕs ability to offer the latest techniques available anywhere, and knows that there is a difference between proficiency and ability when it comes to patient care.

"The nice thing is the competence of the staff," said Foy Cox, M.D., who has been at the clinic for the last 10 years. "All of the equipment is owned and placed in here as opposed to leasing equipment for one day a month. This allows us to give our patients the option of having any treatment available anywhere in the U.S., at any time, and makes it safer for them as well."

Three years ago the center became a fully accredited surgery center. Changes in state laws required that many procedures use anesthetics that require the facility to be fully accredited to perform the surgeries. The accreditation requires constant calibration of equipment and staff training, which makes the center one of only five accredited surgery centers in the area.

Competence in what they do is the hallmark of the practice that has grown from a single office to the center that includes an office at Lake Wildwood. The three centers are run by a full staff of doctors, Physician Assistants, and support staff who see the close to 100 patients a day.

The clinic also boasts a highly trained staff, as well. Linda Nelson, PA-Certified, is the first California medical practitioner to receive a masterÕs degree in advanced dermatology physicianÕs assistant studies. She came on staff five years ago, and has been joined by Cindy Minkel, PA, a recent graduate of Western Michigan University, KalamazooÕs Masters PhysicianÕs Assistant program. The two staff the Lake Wildwood office and handle many of the non-invasive procedures performed at that site.

Dr.Peppercorn has a long history with yet another area of medical delivery, the cable television show “The Medical Explorer”. The show started interestingly enough after Peppercorn was asked to do Election readings for the local cable station. He got the idea for a pilot program, and has been on the air for the last 17 years.

"We started the program as a way to discuss some of the unique issues involved in medicine in the Yuba-Sutter area, and it has really done the job of informing the public about the medical technologies and services available right here at home," said Peppercorn. In the program, different aspects of medical health care are discussed, and in many cases new treatment facilities are visited and demonstrated. "I become the guinea pig for the show lots of the time," Peppercorn smiled and added.

ThereÕs no doubt that Dr. PeppercornÕs energy is the driving force behind the practiceÕs ability to stay cutting edge. It is also testament to his savvy business skills which have allowed the practice to expand in a community where double-digit unemployment would seem to be in direct opposition to the success of a practice apparently dependent upon residual income. A closer look revealed that two-thirds of the patients received medically necessary treatments, and the remaining one-third had elective treatments.

A self proclaimed gadget nut, it comes as no surprise to learn that Peppercorn was one of the first Physicians in the nation to have an internet website. "www.bestlasers.com was one of only 15 medical information sites in the mid '90s," said Peppercorn. It's also no surprise that it is a sophisticated site, full of information about the center's many treatment options, offering online product ordering, as well as surgery and procedure fees.

A 1978 graduate of The Johns Hopkins Medical School and Stanford Medical School where he and Foy were classmates, the team constantly continue their education, attending seminars and classes to keep them current on the latest techniques and technologies.