Skin and Cancer Center of Arizona

Are you looking for a dermatologist that respects you as a patient? Then steer clear of this practice! The front office staff are rude and the providers are focused on reaching their financial goals. They have difficulty retaining providers and fabricate stories for patients as to why providers leave. Trust me, there are better places to go for your dermatology needs.

I do not recommend this center for dermatology purposes. Dr. Ruth Ireland was condescending and made me feel embarrassed. I cannot speak for the other doctors though.

Hmmm. Why didn’t I check the Unilocal reviews first? I got a referral from my GP for this clinic because I needed to have some funky freckles and moles checked out. I’ve never had one of those body scans, or mapping, or whatever it’s called before, so I felt I was long overdue. Especially because in my childhood I was sunburned practically all summer, and in my early 20s I indulged in tanning beds.
My appt. was for late afternoon on the 1^st and when I had called to set it up, I mentioned that I wanted to discuss 3 things: checking out the funky freckles, talking about my overly rosy cheeks, otherwise known as rosacea, which had spread to my chin in the past year, and getting a mole removed on my neck.
The clinic is really nice, and the greeting and paperwork went as expected. No big deal. A nurse called my name and showed me back to the exam room. Her manner was a little brusque, but I do appreciate efficiency, and I’m not there to make friends, so that was fine. I came to appreciate her manner a little more later in the process.
Then I met my PA, and for the life of me I can’t remember her name. I know she told me, but it’s the pretty blonde with a newborn at home. Since I’ve never had one of these body freckle scans before, I don’t know how long it’s supposed to take, but as I flipped and flopped in my paper napkin top and bottom, she took about 60 seconds on each side. It seemed really quick, and I am full of brown freckles and weird moles. Trust me. She lingered a long time on a freckle I have up on my right shoulder blade, but decided not to remove it. The one she decided to remove was in a bad place, on the underside of my left boob, and I was happy to get it off there, believe me, but I knew this biopsy might hurt, and the healing time might be a pain, just based on location. So I’m bracing myself for the biopsy.
The nurse who had helped me earlier came back in to numb the site. I would give her 5-​stars based on the fact that I couldn’t feel that shot at all. She’s a pro. Considering the area she was sticking, I thought it would hurt more, but I barely felt it. Thank you thank you thank you.
Then the PA came back in, scooped out the freckle, told me my skin was tough (thanks a lot), bandaged me up, gave me a paper with aftercare instructions on it, and said, «Call us if you have any problems».
I said, «Can we talk about my red cheeks and chin and see if there’s anything I can do about them? I think it’s rosacea, but I wanted to see an expert.» She said, «Have you ever been diagnosed with rosacea?» I said no, and was thinking, «Isn’t that what I would have done here??? At the dermatologist???» What the heck? She proceeded to stare at my face. And then said there’s a cream available, but it really only works for one day… and then kind of trailed off. I felt like I was in The Twilight Zone. Well, get to diagnosing, doc. She didn’t seem that interested.
Then I mentioned the mole on my neck, and she said, «That looks normal.» I said, «Yes, but I’d like to talk about having it removed because as I’m getting older, it gets bigger, and another one seems to pop up every year or so. What can I say… I come from a moley family. I want to have it removed for purely cosmetic reasons so there will be no scenes reminiscent of that one in Uncle Buck when I’m old. She said, «Insurance doesn’t cover that» and made no offer to remove it anyway. So she’ll only do what insurance covers? I have money to pay for it. Really. It was the end of the day, so maybe she was ready to get out of there. I don’t know, but she seemed overly ready to be finished with me.
I decided to just cut my losses and go home, take care of my biopsy site, wait for the results, and decide from there if I’m going back. The biopsy results were fine, and I’m not going back. When it comes to Unilocal reviews, 2-​stars means «I’ve experienced better», which is definitely true. When it comes to health care, I also deserve better. I will definitely be looking for a more highly-​rated dermatologist.

As a new patient, was nice to have paperwork available online to complete before visit. Provider was on time and very pleasant. I’m disappointed with treatment and lack of information about my condition. Treatment made condition worse with new symptom of pain. No education was provided about cause and other lifestyle changes that should be made. Google was more helpful. Feel like visit was a waste of money.

Have been going here for years. Called today to make an appointment to have my moles checked and check my scalp. Receptionist said I could only pick one thing to have the nurse/​Dr look at, they can only see me for 15 min! «To be fair to the other patients». Never have I been told that by a Dr office. Receptionist was unfazed when I explained that I work all the way in North Phoenix & couldn’t possibly make two trips. Will be looking for a more accommodating and professional dermatologist office. Too bad really liked my PA, Beth Lopez.

I have been a patient at Skin and Cancer Center of Arizona for several years and up until now, had really good experiences there. Unfortunately, the doctor who I was originally seeing is not with the practice any longer and they put me with Dr. Nowak for my annual skin cancer screening.
Dr. Nowak was rude and unprofessional. She spoke in medical terms instead of terms that patient would understand. She made me feel very ignorant.
She told me that I should stop taking showers and put Crisco all over my body after a tepid bath before bed. The medical assistant then told me that Crisco was «lard». I corrected her and told her that Crisco was vegetable shortening and that lard came from a pig. The doctor was shocked at my response.
During my previous visits with this group, the doctor had given me a prescription for an ointment for a chronic rash that I had. I asked for a new prescription and she refused to give it to me.
Unfortunately Dr. Nuara (the previous doctor) has moved to a new location in another part of the valley or I would go back to him.
I will not come back to this clinic if I have to see Dr. Nowak.
The M has also written a review about Dr. Nowak. I completely agree with her.

I have been to my fair share of dermatologists and I have never been treated as poorly as I was at the Skin and Cancer Center. Terrible customer service, ridiculously long waits and crazy expensive. I tried to give them a chance, but by the third visit I chose to switch dermatologists. BEST DECISION EVER. Oh, and I created this Unilocal account solely so I can post this review. Which says a lot.

Michelle PA, is fantastic! She took her time, followed up and made sure I could contact her if I had any issues. Her MA, Maureen was also wonderful. Switching my son to this office.

I came here in spite of the handful of really negative reviews b/​c I needed to see someone right away and every other dermatologist I called had a really long wait for an appointment. I had an ingrown hair that was infected and it was very painful. When I came in to Skin and Cancer Center I was pleased to see that the office was very pleasant and had a lot of parking available. The office staff was all friendly and professional. The Dr and nurse I saw were both very friendly, empathetic, and competent. When she drained some fluid she sent it off the lab to make sure it was not anything serious. Not sure if that is one of the medical office tricks so that they get to bill your insurance for more money or if she is just really thorough. I guess I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Fortunately it turned out to not be a big deal.
Since then I have continued seeing Dr. Beth Lopez (fyi, I think she is a PA not an MD) for skin cancer screenings and been pretty happy so far. Ironically, my only issue with this office is that they have an extremely long wait time for an appt. I guess I just got lucky on my first visit.

I will admit that Skin & Cancer Center of Arizona and I didn’t get off to the greatest start. My first appointment was a little over a year ago, and involved a short appointment booker, a grumpy and disinterested receptionist, and a dermatologist who struck me as capable but distant. (Which isn’t a condemnation; not every provider’s style is a match for every patient. Some people prefer a more detached clinician.)
Still, finding other people had even worse things to say about other dermatologists, and Wolk’s office having come highly recommended personally, professionally, and on a national level, I returned this year. It was like a whole different office. Maybe everyone was just having a bad day the first time.
This time everyone was very friendly and helpful, checking in was a pleasure, the back office girl getting me prepped was cracking jokes… I’d go back to that Skin and Cancer Center a million times. My dermatologist, Ruth Ireland, was absolutely fantastic this time around. In both cases she’s been very thorough, addressed my areas of concern, and answered any questions I’ve had. I’ve never felt rushed or like I’m just another inconvenience on the schedule. This time she was also very warm and personable, which is my preference in a doc. A+ all around.
I’ll definitely return next year for another annual exam.
If I had one complaint, it would be that they’re so busy that they book way out. If you’re making a non-​emergency appointment, it’ll easily be a month for the first available provider.

STAY AWAY!!! I went to see the founder Dr Wolk for psoriasis. He is supposedly the big wig there that knows a lot? Well, after waiting 2 hours to see him he couldn’t give me a prescription for my psoriasis. He wanted me to go to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion on the prescription. Also, he never mentioned anything about a drug that was a few years old and had very good results. I thought he was the specialist. I called Mayo clinic they wanted $ 600 up front for 1^st visit and then more money to get medication. Are you kidding me. Dr Wolk is a joke. For my husband, he had to get a mole removed and they didn’t get all of it the 1^st time, so they made him come back for a second time and charged us up the kazoo… BEWARE of UNJUST CHARGES… Our family doc could have done it for $ 54, now we have a bill for $ 450 and they are sending us to collections. The WORST office and staff I’ve ever seen…

I started going here a little over a year and a half ago. I initially went in to have a few skin tags removed. During my initial interview with a doctor I was informed that insurance does not cover it, and would cost over $ 100. The receptionist failed to inform me of this at the time I scheduled. I declined and instead discussed issues with acne. Fast forward a few months and I returned seeking different medications. Accutane was brought up, but I declined. (anyone with acne knows how serious this medication is) something I told her I would never take. A few more months pass and I go in again looking for something else for my acne. I was told there was nothing left but Accutane. unfortunately I’ve worked in pharmacy close to 8 years. I know what’s out there. A few months ago I had the worst acne flare ever. A cyst so large I couldn’t wear my glasses. I call seeking help and am told the next available appointment is over a month away. Really…
The final straw was when I went to refill a prescription. The medication is currently unavailable. I had the pharmacy (my work) call seeking an alternative. A couple days later I receive a «return call on my request for an appointment.» Say what? After about 10 minutes of being placed on hold, explaining to whoever I spoke to that I did not call, being put in hold… they decided that I needed to make an appointment for this refill, and the next appointment available was over 5 weeks away! No offer for a months rx to tide me over (rx was antibiotics), no time to let me explain it was my work that called about a med being unavailable… not needing a refill… This place must be understaffed or should extend their hours. They should thoroughly listen to voicemails left by pharmacies and patients. Each visit (physical or attempted) has been bad.

I had an injection to get rid of a cyst. I was told that there would be a temporary indentation that would go away. A year and a half later, still have the indentation and cyst is still here. They will not do anything to fix and they do not return phone calls. Stay away from them!!! They will scar you for life!!!

If you live in Arizona, you really should think about getting a skin cancer screening once a year. Well, if you live anywhere you should think about it, but especially if you live (and grew up in) this sunny state.
I have had two screenings now and both have been quick and easy. Ruth Ireland has an incredibly calming presence and is very kind. Which is extremely helpful, considering the appointment includes taking your clothes off so she can inspect every mark, mole, and scar on your skin. Not exactly «fun,» but she makes it quick and easy!
I had the 8:00am appointment and was in my car by 8:15. Even if the screening may not be covered by insurance, I still think it is worth it to a least get in the habit of a 15 minute screening once a year. Even just for the peace of mind. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention!
Do it!

I would never go back to the skin and Cancer Center of Arizona for several reasons. For one thing, although they charge «doctor prices,» I saw physician assistants, not a doctor when I was a patient.
Another problem was that as an accutane patient, it is required by law to see the prescribing health care professional once a month to get my prescription.
Well, my prescriber worked only Saturdays and when she took a weekend off, I had to call repeatedly for a week and play phone tag to get an appointment with the other PA, who although she gave me the prescription, had told me previously she didn’t take female accutane patients.
Also, although the staff isn’t rude, they don’t understand anything when there are questions – this lead to me being scheduled and charged for an appointment when it wasn’t needed.
Another problem is that simple matters require endless phone tag with the employees (leading to the mischeduling, for example). Conflicting information from different employees left me unable to determine myself exactly when I needed to see the doctor for the accutane rx (heavily regulated by government – that’s why the scheduling was critical).
Finally, when I found a new doctor at a new office unrelated to theirs, I had trouble getting them to send my records. I came in, signed a consent form, asked them to try and get my records to the office in a week. I called twice and left messages asking them to call me back, but so far, I haven’t been called back. I’ve tried getting help from a person, but they just refer me to their horrible, annoying voice mail system, which is more of a gatekeeper, than helpful to their patients/​customers in my opinion.
I have a feeling my saga will continue with them when it comes to getting my records. When you ask an employee there for something, there’s often an uneasy feeling that they don’t understand or they won’t follow through. I’ve left many of the annoying little details regarding dealing with them out of this review, but I would definitely discourage using this office. In fairness, the physicians assistants seemed ok, but I’d rather see a full-​time doctor with a knowledgeable staff.
P. S. Now I’ve been to my new doctor’s office and when they called asking for my records, they said they could not send them because I hadn’t signed a consent form! Also, they said it would take two weeks for them to send the records. Now, I signed another consent form, this time at the new office and they faxed it over. I wonder if they will ever get the records.