Meet Andrea Duane, Board Certified Physician Assistant
In the ever-evolving field of dermatology, passion and dedication are key ingredients to success. Today, we sit down with a seasoned Physician Assistant, Andrea Duane, who has devoted 17 years to the practice of dermatology, sharing her journey, insights, and love for the field.
Get to know Andrea better through this Q&A:
How did you get into Dermatology and how long have you been in this field?
I started working in dermatology prior to PA school. There I completed my required hours for my program and found that I enjoyed the field. When I was in my clinical year of PA school, I chose to do two elective dermatology rotations. Three months before graduating I was hired at a private practice in Boca Raton. I’ve now been working professionally in the field of dermatology for 17 years.
Tell us a little about yourself outside of work:
I’ve been married to my middle school love for ten years after reconnecting a span of nearly twenty years apart. We have three children – my two bonus children who are now young adults and our son who is three. I love to be out in nature, enjoy traveling and camping. North Carolina is a frequent destination for us. I also enjoy fossil and shark tooth hunting around Florida.
What’s your favorite thing about working in skincare?
There is a nice balance of using medical, surgical and cosmetic skill sets to help people and that is personally and professionally satisfying.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job?
There is room for a lot of relationship cultivating with patients in dermatology. I enjoy seeing and helping people over the course of many years. Whether helping with an acute issue or finding and fixing a skin cancer, I enjoy helping people look and feel their best.
What do you like most about working at McKay Dermatology and MedSpa?
I have always enjoyed working at smaller boutique-style practices that truly have patient care at their core. That is incredibly important to me and is supported by Dr. McKay. We have a very dedicated staff that helps us achieve that goal as well.
What are your favorite services to perform?
Skin cancer surgery has always been a large part of my practice. Being able to intercept a problem and definitively take care of it for someone is something I enjoy.
What are your favorite skincare products or brands?
I really love CeraVe, Tizo, ISDIN, and SkinCeuticals. We sell ISDIN right here in the McKay Dermatology & MedSpa office.
What is one common misconception about skin care and dermatology that you’ve encountered?
One misconception that can be costly is that you don’t need to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist unless you see something wrong. Skin cancers can be hiding in plain sight. When I was a student, I had a young woman who only wanted to discuss the rash on her knees. My preceptor was running behind, so I asked to do a skin check while she waited. She was reluctant but agreed. The patient had a significant melanoma on her back that she was completely unaware of. That made a big impression on me as a young provider and has come up time and again over the years. A simple skin check can save a life.
What’s one part of your personal skincare routine that you never skip?
I have a few things I use regularly but the one I NEVER skip is under eye cream. I use ISDIN K-Ox Eyes in the morning and ISDIN Vital Eyes at night.
Any final remarks?
You will never regret a skin check or sun protection! Come see us for your skincare needs.
Andrea’s Bio:
Andrea Duane is a board certified Physician Assistant with nearly two decades of experience in the field of Dermatology. She completed her education at the University of Florida receiving both a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies. Her career began in Boca Raton, Florida where she practiced all facets of dermatology and worked alongside a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. While passionate about skin cancer surgery, Andrea also enjoys the diversity in medical and cosmetic dermatology. In 2016 Andrea moved back home to the Treasure Coast, and has been enjoying serving our local community's dermatological needs at McKay Dermatology and MedSpa ever since.
