Dermatology clinic launches

Dr. Mark Holzberg volunteers his time at the dermatology clinic.

Seven patients were treated for skin issues between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Aug. 28 during the first dermatology clinic day at Mercy Care at Gateway Center. The driving force behind the clinic, volunteer Mark Holzberg, MD, emailed afterward, “You have a great group of people there—smart, helpful and enthusiastic about their mission. They couldn’t have made it more pleasant and efficient.” Dr. Holzberg has a passion for helping the homeless and approached Mercy Care with his idea to start the volunteer dermatology clinic, recruit for it and raise funds to support it—for which Mercy Care and our patients are incredibly grateful. He is the founder of Avail Dermatology in Newnan and is affiliated with Grady Health System and Piedmont Healthcare. The clinic is expected to take place every other week, but we will adjust based on demand and availability of volunteer dermatologists. Thanks to Dr. Holzberg, there are eight other volunteers currently at various stages of the credentialing process.

Paige Brown saw Dr. Holzberg for a common loss of skin pigmentation called Vitiligo. “I have a new born baby and I haven’t taken the time to take care of me,” Paige said. “I’ve been living like a shut-in, and it’s time I get my confidence back. The medicine will take a while to work, but I’m good with that.” Pictured L-R: volunteer scribe Courtney Wilburn, Paige, Dr. Holzberg, and Mesha Falkner-Harrington, LPN.

Barry Allen had warts frozen by Dr. Holzberg on both his right and left hands. “The doctor said we caught it early,” Barry said. “I’m glad they won’t get worse now.”

Mark Holzberg, M.D.

Dr. Mark Holzberg is the founder of Avail Dermatology and has practiced in Newnan for over 20 years. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins University in 1979 and received his medical doctorate degree from Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his internship in both medicine and pediatrics at Emory and then completed his dermatology residency at Emory. Dr. Holzberg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is board-certified in dermatology.

An active member of the dermatologic community, Dr. Holzberg has served as president and then medical director of the Georgia Dermatologic Network, an organization involved in ensuring access to dermatology for all patients. He has served as both secretary-treasurer and president of the Atlanta Dermatological Association and is president-elect of the Georgia Society of Dermatologists. Dr. Holzberg is a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Department of Dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine and supervises the Nail Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

Dr. Holzberg has lectured and published articles and book chapters on many aspects of dermatology and diseases of the nail. His main areas of focus have been general dermatology, dermatologic surgery, and cosmetic dermatologic procedures. He has a special interest in diseases and surgery of the nail.