Penn State Hershey Dermatology Gives Back

Penn State Hershey Dermatology Baseball

What do Penn State Hershey Dermatology and baseball have in common? Fun, teamwork, excellence, and Drs. Michael Ioffreda and Jeffrey Miller! This past spring, Penn State Hershey Dermatology’s own boys of summer, teamed up to coach a team of 11- and 12-year-old boys, including their sons, in Hershey Little League.

Despite their collective years of education, Mike and Jeff went back to the books in preparation for the season. Jeff commented that “Mike is a student of the game,” while Mike acknowledged about his assistant, “Jeff quickly learned the intricacies of the infield fly rule and the difference between a two-seam and a four-seam fastball.” Mike discovered the subtleties of bunting, and Jeff mastered his hand signals. Learn More >>

"Healthy Skin Made in the Shade"

For more information on Sun Protection, take a look at our brochure!

Sun protection shirts and hats available at our very own Fitness Center!

Sun Umbrellas - Protect your most visible feature!

The umbrellas have especially treated fabric that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays, forming virtually impenetrable barrier to the sun. Umbrellas are available now for a donation of $39.99 at our Hershey Dermatology clinic, UPC, Suite 100. Proceeds benefit Penn State Hershey Dermatology Community Sun Protection Project.

Our very own, Dr. Christie Travelute, gave an interview on types of skin cancer, sun protection, and the importance of skin screening!

In the United States, the homeless, indigent, and uninsured are a population often overlooked and neglected by our health care system. Ironically, they are often the ones in greatest need of medical treatment. In order to meet the needs of this growing contingent, Penn State Hershey Dermatology has created a free dermatology clinic that is held at the Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg, PA. Originally founded in 1913 as a shelter for men, women and children, the Bethesda Mission is now exclusively a men’s homeless shelter. Although the free clinics are open to both men and women residing in the surrounding area.

The clinic is constructed of several partitioned makeshift treatment rooms, staffed by two full-time nurses, as well as various faculty, administrative staff residents, and medical students from Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Services offered at Bethesda include internal medicine as well as dermatology.

Each clinic averages approximately eight to ten patients, with a small number requiring dermatologic procedures. This consistent influx of patients is a reflection of the need for dermatology in this underserved population who would otherwise have nowhere else to turn. Furthermore, the Bethesda Mission Dermatology Free Clinic exemplifies one of our primary missions, community service, in action at Penn State Hershey Dermatology.

For young people with chronic skin conditions, Camp Discovery offers a summer camping experience unlike any they’ve had before. Each year, the American Academy of Dermatology sponsors several week long summer camps throughout the country to meet the regional needs of children with skin disorders, and at no cost to the families. All expenses are covered for every camper that attends camp through generous private donations and academy sponsored funding. It is great week of fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, arts and crafts, and just plain fun.

Under the expert medical care of dermatologists and nurses, Camp Discovery offers campers the opportunity to spend a week among other young people who have similar skin conditions. Skin disorders, unlike many medical conditions, cannot be hidden from their peers. Camp is the one place where children with both severe and rare skin disorders can blend in and just be a kid. For some children, who require extensive daily medical care, it is their first time being away from home. Some conditions are so rare that there may not be any other children locally with that condition. Camp allows children with very rare conditions to finally meet kids with the same disorder. The kids can compare their experiences in growing up with a chronic skin disease, often making a friend for a lifetime. Many of the counselors have skin conditions as well, and can provide support and advice to campers. Fun, friendship, and independence are on the top of everyone’s agenda and everyone shares in the discovery of what it’s like to be included.

Each year Penn State Hershey Dermatology sends their second year residents to the volunteer at the AAD sponsored camp in Millville, PA, Camp Horizon. The residents serve as counselors, taking direct care of the children in their assigned cabins. In doing so, the resident physicians learn the humanistic side of what it is like to have a skin disease, a lesson they cannot learn in the office. Dr. Andrea Zaenglein, pediatric dermatologist, has been volunteering a week each summer at Camp Horizon for more than a decade. After two years as a camp counselor, Dr. Zaenglein moved to the Med Shed and has been the Medical Director at Camp Horizon since 1999. To her, camp is the best part of the summer. Seeing these children just being kids and being a part of their lives, year after year, gives back an indescribable joy.

PAD Skin Cancer Screening at the Capitol

Community – The Satisfaction of Giving

2011

268 individuals examined at our annual free skin cancer screening clinics
125 individuals examined at the PAD skin screening event held at the Capitol in Harrisburg on May 11th, 2011
New Shade Trees planted near the donated Gazebo!

2010

356 individuals examined at our annual free skin cancer screening clinics.
Monthly Bethesda Mission clinic for the homeless in Harrisburg.
Volunteered for children with severe skin diseases at Camp Horizon
Sun shade gazebo dedicated with a donation from Jeanne Arnold and Derry Township partnership
Dr. Elizabeth Billingsley- Whitaker Board of Directors
Dr. Bryan Anderson- American Academy of Dermatology Maintenance of Certification Director
Dr. Michael Ioffreda- leader of Sun Protection Project
Dr. Andrea Zaenglein - Volunteer at Regional Dermatology Training Center, Tanzania,

2009

321 individuals examined at our annual free skin cancer screening clinics.
Monthly Bethesda Mission Clinic for the homeless in Harrisburg.
Volunteered for children with severe skin diseases at Camp Horizon.
Sun shade area constructed with a donation from Jeanne Arnold and Derry Township partnership.
Dr. Elizabeth Billingsley - Whitaker Center Board of Directors.
Dr. Jeffrey Miller - Medical Advisor for Children’s Alopecia Project.
Dr. Bryan Anderson - American Academy of Dermatology Leadership Program.
Dr. Michael Ioffreda - Leader of Sun Protection Project.
Dr. Andrea Zaenglein - Volunteer at the Regional Dermatology Training Center, Tanzania, Africa.

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