Printer-friendly format

You only need to spend a few minutes talking with Dr. William Steele to know that he is a caring and experienced doctor.

He began his medical training at University of Iowa College of Medicine, where he received his medical degree. It was there, while during research in the pharmacy lab, that he was encouraged by others to go across the hall to the dermatology research lab. It only took one visit for him to make up his mind.

Today, he remains extremely passionate about his occupation.

Steele’s specialty lies in MOHS micrographic cancer surgery and dermatologic surgery. He is board-certified, having received dermatology and MOHS micrographic surgery training in the residency program at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He is a member of the American Society for MOHS Surgery, American Society of Dermatological Surgeons, Florida Society of Dermatological Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In 1985, Steele moved to Central Florida. When asked if he misses Iowa, he said, “I’m proud to be an Iowan, but now consider myself a Floridian.” However, he lives up to what most people say about people of Iowa — that they are very nice people — and he has the heart of a Floridian. He contributes his old-fashioned values to upbringing in a small town in Iowa. He remembers his parents getting him involved in community projects. Helping others lead to his interest in medicine.

He is committed to giving back to the community by being involved with such outstanding organizations as the Orange County Medical Society and Shepherd’s Hope that bridge the gap between the uninsured and the medical services they need.

When asked the secret to having a successful practice he said, “we’re just one big happy family.”

He values the relationships with his staff and his associates.

“We’re all here to support each other,” he said.

For example, Florida’s devastating hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 that left blue roofs looking like the norm. The hurricane ripped shingles off housetops, allowing rain to pour in and causing damage to some employees’ homes.

“We pulled together to put blue tarps on roofs and to replace roofs,” he recalled. “We even tapped into the financial reserves to meet the needs long after heavy rain soaking had faded away. No matter what happens, my desire is to keep everyone employed, and to touch his or her life in a special way.”

Steele is the founder of Associates of Dermatology, a growing medical and surgical dermatology practice serving central Florida from six clinics located in Orlando, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, Davenport and Celebration.

The philosophy of giving and touching a life in a special way is demonstrated in Steele’s daily work life. His mission is to provide patients with outstanding care and service by working collaboratively as a professional medical practice team.

He has earned an excellent reputation among patients and peers within the Orlando area medical community. Offering a wide range of advanced medical services is part of his team’s commitment to quality healthcare. He feels it is essential to practice preventive care for all patients, cosmetic and medical alike.

Skilled and respected as a MOHS micrographic skin cancer surgeon who can treat serious tumors and growths, Steele noted that Dr. Federic E. Mohs developed MOHS surgery at the University of Wisconsin in the 1930s. Since then, the procedure has been refined and perfected. MOHS micrographic surgery is a highly specialized type of surgery for the total removal of skin cancer. This method differs from all other methods of treating skin cancer by the use of detailed mapping techniques that allows the surgeon to remove all the skin cancer’s roots and extensions. A MOHS surgeon can pinpoint areas involved with the skin cancer that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

Steele compared the technique to examining the “crust of a pie” with a hidden blueberry. Each layer of the crust is removed by taking horizontal sections, allowing it to be examined around and under, not missing the blueberry. The MOHS technique examines the outer edges, which is traditionally not done. It differs from the routine “cutting-out,” which involves vertical sections, with only a few sections examined.

Therefore, even the smallest microscopic roots can be removed. This results in the removal of as little healthy skin as possible and the highest possibility of curing the cancer. Using MOHS surgery, the cure rate is more than 99 percent for most skin cancers, even when other forms of treatment have failed.

The procedure calls for physician to serve as surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. The surgery is precise and the pathology is performed in house. Because the MOHS surgery is performed in the surgeon’s office, the pathological examination results are immediate, the entire process can often be completed in a single day. The procedure has been used on Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, Sr., and Regis Philbin.

For other skin problems that don’t require surgical solutions, Steele offers a variety of non-surgical treatments for problems of the skin, hair, and nails.
Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, Steele encourages everyone to take good care of it.

He enjoys spending time with his family, and playing an occasional round of golf.



January 2008

Tags:

None

Login and voice your opinion!