A medical void has been filled with the arrival of a new group from Asheboro.

Beginning last month Asheboro Dermatology opened a location in Albemarle in the former medical office of the now retired Dr. Eric Johnson. The group’s arrival has been welcome news for Stanly County residents and Asheboro Dermatology.

“It has been a great experience so far. This has been the best opening we ever had,” Dr. Todd Williams said about the group’s reception to the community.

“It has been a blessing,” he added. “The patients are grateful we’re here. People were having to go to Charlotte or Concord.”

Albemarle marks Asheboro Dermatology’s fourth location. In addition to its home and namesake location for the last 22 years, the group has offices in Seven Lakes and Thomasville.

“They’ve all done well but this office has done better and been the most friendly,” Williams said.

Existing patients from Albemarle that were traveling to Asheboro for treatment along with the retirements of Stanly’s only two dermatologists, Dr. Robert Taylor and Dr. Morris Minton, led to the decision to field an office locally.

“It was unfortunate that two dermatologists left the Albemarle area along the same time frame just as we were looking for another area to expand and provide a need after our Thomasville location opening,” said Debra Stout, practice manager.

“There is a wonderful climate of people in the Albemarle area that our knowledgeable and caring providers and staff look forward to serving and caring for their dermatologic needs from aggressive skin cancers to acne,” she added.

The decision has been a windfall. Like its other satellite locations, Asheboro Dermatology typically launches its other locations with a part-time schedule for about a year.

Presently, the office is seeing patients three days a week, Monday, Thursday and Friday. However, beginning in January, the Albemarle office will be open Monday-Friday.

“That’s the fastest we’ve ever done it,” Williams said.

As the group builds its clientele, Williams’ forecast the office to handle 120 patient visits weekly.

Nine providers, two medical doctors (Johnson and Dr. Steve Kimmel), five physician assistants and two nurse practioneers will be manning the office at any given time.

Asheboro Dermatology practices general and surgical dermatology, but no cosmetic procedures.   

Typical patients include anyone from teenagers with acne or warts to adults with sun damage and even skin cancer.

Because of Stanly’s farming landscape and outdoor lifestyle, damaged skin from sun exposure is not uncommon, Williams said.

The Albemarle office is at 1107 N. Sixth St., the former office of Dr. Johnson’s Stanly Family Care Clinic. In fact, Asheboro Dermatology is leasing the site from Johnson.

Along with the building, the new group kept two of Johnson’s staffers, Bobbie Almond and Beverly Price.

“It really worked out well for both of us,” Johnson said.

Contact Ritchie Starnes at 704-754-5076 or ritchie.starnes@stanlynewspress.com.