Your health is important, and that’s why we’re spending 2023 highlighting local doctors and the services they provide. This month we talked to the team at WellAve Dermatology to learn about how their team got involved, skin health myths and more!
What makes WellAve unique?
WellAve is a dermatology practice with clinics throughout Maryland. What sets us apart from other dermatology practices is our focus on patient care. There are no overbooked waiting rooms or waiting months for an appointment. We are able to see patients within a week. As patient care is our priority, we accept nearly all insurances and offer reasonable self pay rates. We have two providers at our Kent Island location, Danielle Costabile, PA and Laura Marquart, MD, and our entire Kent Island staff are residents of Queen Anne’s County.
How did your team get involved in dermatology?
Danielle Costabile received her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies degree from Towson University where she served as the class president, was a member of Pi Alpha Honor Society, and graduated in the top 5% of her class. She has worked under Dr. Allan Harrington in the surgical removal and repair of challenging skin cancers and rare tumors. Danielle’s smile and passion for delivering patient care immediately puts patients at ease. She is dedicated to providing excellent care on the Eastern Shore, as it is a place she calls home. Danielle chose to practice dermatology as she grew up in Queen Anne’s County and saw the need to provide outstanding dermatologic care to her community.
Laura Marquart received her doctorate of medicine from Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and completed her dermatology residency training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center. She is a board certified dermatologist and served 15 years in the Army, living all over the world. She served in Iraq from 2006-2007 as the theater dermatologist. She distinguished herself as the Dermatology Consultant to the Office of the Attending Physician at the US Capitol. She has worked in teledermatology, private practice, and as a medical officer for the FDA. She is the medical director for WellAve and prides herself on providing the highest level of care to her patients. Dr. Marquart chose dermatology because treating conditions on the skin, hair, and nails has an immediate and important impact on patients’ lives.
What are the most common conditions you all see?
The most common dermatologic conditions or issues that are seen in the clinic include acne, skin cancer screenings, eczema, warts, psoriasis, and rashes. As skin cancer continues to increase in our country, sun protection is so important. Protecting the skin by using sunscreen, wearing broad brim hats and sunglasses, being clothed appropriately, and seeking shade reduces the risk of developing skin cancers, sunburns, and premature aging which includes brown spots, sagging, and wrinkling. When active or swimming, it is important to reapply sunscreen every two hours. In addition to seeing these conditions in clinic, WellAve also offers aesthetic services to include botox, dermal fillers, microneedling, and chemical peels.
Any dermatology myths you all would like to dispel?
The most common dermatologic myths:
Patients with dark skin do not get skin cancer- False
A tanning bed is safer than UV rays from the sun- False
Chocolate and fried foods cause acne- False
Only teenagers get acne- False
It’s ok to pop pimples- False
Frogs cause warts- False
Botox is permanent- False
Men do not need moisturizer- False
If you would like to learn more about WellAve you can go to their website at: https://WellAve.com/. The nearest locations are 202 St. Claire Place, Suite 150, Stevensville and 116 Defense Highway, Suite 501, Annapolis. They have five other locations throughout Maryland.