Today we’d like to introduce you to Rana Mays
Hi Rana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a first generation immigrant from Iran. We moved to the United States when I was 12 years old with my two younger sisters and my parents, with no family and no money ! My father receiving a hand surgery fellowship grant to study and perform research in hand surgery at the Kleinert Hand Institute in Louisville, KY. Moving as a 12 year old Iranian who absolutely spoke no English from Tehran to Louisville was daunting and incredible at the the same time. We were sort of thrown into everything and learned to become resilient quick and that hard work and determination pays off. Our parents were able to provide us foundation of hard work and that nothing comes easy in life. I had to learn English by myself within 6 months staying up every night practicing my pronunciation and grammar because I wanted to learn like the natives. I still remember those nights and would not take them back for anything. After middle school, my parents decided to have me test into the private school in Louisville, where I met some of the most amazing teachers and friends i still have in my life. After receiving a full ride to the state school, I attended Medical school, and then completed IM residency and worked as a hospitalist attending prior to deciding to train in Dermatology. We moved to Houston to pursue a clinical research fellowship under the world renown Dr. Stephen Tyring, who I still consider a mentor and friend today. I worked harder than I ever have that year to match into Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, where I completed my Dermatology residency. I practice in Houston for several years before opening my first private practice in Lousiville. Life was busy with 3 kids but I have loved balancing it all. After 7 years serving our deal Louisville community, we decided to make a big move to the west coast after my parents retired in Newport coast. I then opened my second location in CDM . The transition has been so different but so eye opening and I have met amazing people along the way. I have opened 2 practice models , both an insurance and a “direct care” model and am a big advocate for physicians and expertise medical education. I believe the true answer to providing the best expert case to patients is through a direct model. cutting out the third party middle man (insurance company) which not only limits but directs the quality and type of care provided to patients. Last year after 2 years of clinical and basic science research, we launched our hard supplement Hair+MD targeted for thinning hair for men and women. I host per-medical interns annually in our practice as I enjoy teaching the younger generation of doctors not what they need to know but also how to maneuver what is ahead of them. I want to raise my children to learn that hard work and determination and staying true to their core values and standards is key to success. I serve on numerous advisory board and pharmaceutical panels as well as volunteer faculty and investigator in many clinical trials. Throughout it all I have learned staying humble and working hard , while connecting with people is key to any success both professionally and personally.
Bio on website : Rana M. Mays M.D, FAAD, is Dual-Board-certified in Dermatology and Internal Medicine, with expertise in Medical, Surgical, Hair Loss, and Cosmetic Dermatology.
Dr. Mays graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Louisville school of Medicine. She proceeded to complete a full Internal Medicine residency at the University of Louisville Hospital affiliated with James Brown Cancer Center. During her Internal Medicine training, she led the study on the effects of melanoma oncogene transcription on mortality. Dr. Mays practiced extensively as an Internal Medicine specialist in Louisville before moving to Houston to pursue her passion for Dermatology. She joined the prestigious Center for Clinical Studies under the direction of world-renown mentor Stephen K. Tyring, MD PhD .
During her clinical research fellowship, Dr. Mays served as investigator in over 30 national and international clinical trials in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, zoster, acne, rosacea, eczema, alopecia, and cosmetic injectables. She also served as the main investigator on several collaborative studies with NASA scientists on re-activation of zoster.
Dr. Mays went on to attend the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine for her Dermatology residency with extensive training in Medical Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, Surgical Dermatology & Laser Surgery under the direction of renown Dr. Sylvia Hsu and Dr. Ramsey Markus. She completed her Dermatology residency serving as chief resident her last year and scoring in the 98th national percentile on her Dermatology Boards.
Dr. Mays then joined Houston Skin Associates and Center for Clinical Studies where she practiced for 3 years and served as principal investigator in pivotal clinical trials including a cosmetic investigator initiated study with Kybella. Dr. Mays’ interest in hair disorders and cosmetics helped pioneer her introduction of PRP hair restoration and facial rejuvenation at her practice. She then went on to found her own practice in Louisville, KY where she pioneered her own brand of children’s skincare for sensitive and eczema prone skin. She was featured in numerous local magazines and media due to her contribution of providing same day service for Dermatology in an underserved area. After many years of practice, Dr. Mays and her family relocated to beautiful Southern California to be closer to her parents. She is excited to create Mays Dermatology in Corona Del Mar leading the way as pioneer in Direct Care for Dermatologic Services. In Direct care, your visits and access to your Dermatologist are not limited by insurance and therefore Dr. Mays is able to provide extensive individualized care to each of her patients with same day availability, in office dispending, easy access for questions, no waiting time, and lengthy thorough visits.
Dr. May’s interests include medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology with special interest in acne, psoriasis, skin cancer, difficult rashes, and hair disorders. Dr. Mays is fully certified in PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy for hair loss and restoration and has served as regional clinical instructor in PRP and cosmetic injectables for her peers. Dr. Mays brings her unique full-face “preventative and corrective” rejuvenation approach to cosmetic dermatology and has extensive experience in all injectable and non- injectable procedures including laser resurfacing, vascular laser, neuro-modulators, injectable fillers, sculptra, radiofrequency technology, scar revision, keloid revision, mole removal surgery and other minimally invasive procedures.
Dr. Mays has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in medical and cosmetic Dermatology and lectures nationally in the field. Dr. Mays special interest lies in Hair loss , Acne, Rosacea, Anti-Aging, Restorative Skin Care, and complex Dermatologic disorders. Dr. Mays believes in the “whole” patient approach when it comes to skin health and is a big advocate of diagnosis by a Board Certified Dermatologist as the first step in full evaluation of the face. She focuses on prevention, targeted treatment, and early restorative and corrective approach uniquely tailored to the patients assessment to achieve best result.
Dr. Mays was awarded America’s Top Dermatologist every year from 2016 to present, and recently recognized as “Top Doctor” & “Top Injector” selected by a poll of thousands of board-certified physician peers. Dr. Mays was nominated to the “40 under 40” category in 2020. Dr. Mays is fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, Skin cancer Foundation, and American Society of Aesthetic & Cosmetic Physicians.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. I have had to learn failure is a must if you want to succeed, to keep positive and confident and never look at anyone else’s accomplishments, rather focus on your goals and needs. I teach young students to work hard, and realize if they want to learn something they must give 110% , there is no half way in life if you want to achieve success and make a difference. I pride myself in not only being a very knowledgable competent Dermatologist but in always wanting to learn more and being “curious” not just in Dermatology but in science and life. Whether its attending meetings, discussing cases with colleagues, or teaching or learning in seminars, I thrive in collaboration with others and learning from other experts. In my mind there is never a stupid question and never a lost moment to learn. Innovators will be questioned, so always trust your instincts ! Life will throw a lot of expected and unexpected things at you and it is the way you choose to take them head on that makes a difference. One of my major struggles is balancing perfectionism with delegating and letting go, that every question is worth asking, and to trust your inner instinct first and foremost.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I believe Medicine is at the verge of breaking with less access to real physicians, as insurance companies take more control directing and denying care, and blurring the lines of ‘providers” for financial gain. Physicians are often forced to practice not their trained specialty leading to overwhelming med-spas but lack of true expert care. To add, there is a lot of mis information and overwhelming claims when it comes to medical expertise, with the public truly not knowing who to trust or who the true experts to seek are, often relying on self diagnosis and care . With social media taking over , more patients are receiving (improper) medical advise on the internet without understanding the true education and expertise training of the individual providing it. The lines are blurred and unfortunately patients suffer in the most and in the least waste funds and time with useless treatments and advise. I believe in educating the public on the importance of first and foremost seeking a true Board Certified Dermatologist for ANY condition/concern of the skin, hair and nails. Access to a Board Certified Dermatologist quickly is key to proper and succinct diagnosis and treatment, and avoids mis-diagnosis and improper, inadequate or harmful treatment. Most major cities have a 3-4+ month wait to see a true Board Certified Dermatologist for evaluation and often use midlevel providers as a quick short cut. However expertise and care suffers in this model. I believe in empowering the physician model and patient education on the importance of Board Certified Physician Specialists as opposed to midlevel or less trained providers. In a direct care model, we remove the middle man from the equation to provide expert quick access and care to patients . All patients are fit in same day and seen only by the Board Certified Dermatologist, and all procedures are performed by the physician. By removing the middle man, we can offer transparent affordable pricing for everyone as well as convenience of affordable in office dispense of common medications. This avoids insurance denials, deductibles, long waits, immense useless paperwork, and limits on type and timing of care :where your doctor can truly spend time caring for patients, and access becomes a non-issue. I believe and hope this is the future of medicine in many specialties and am proud to provide the model to all patients in southern California.
From our website :
At Mays Dermatology, every visit is with the Double Board-Certified Dermatologist as we believe your skin care should only be in the hands of an experienced and fully trained expert of the skin. In today’s world there are so many “skin specialists” with little knowledge of medicine. Most of these specialists are NOT physicians but purely aestheticians , designated personnel with online “training”, or staff working under vague supervision of doctors who do not study and specialize in the SKIN. We believe that the ONLY true skin specialist is a BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST. Dr. Mays feels passionate about educating the public about this as many do not realize that the only physicians who are specifically trained in conditions of skin, hair and nails are Dermatologists. A Board-Certified Dermatologist is a Medical Doctor (MD) who attends 4 years of medical school, followed by 4 years of rigorous specialized Dermatology training in residency which is the most competitive residency in the nation. Dermatology is the specialty of all conditions of skin, hair, and nails. The physician is awarded their Board Certification by the American Board of Dermatology after passing an intensive national examination. This esteemed certification is the ONLY official national certification for Dermatology training and assures your physician is fully trained in Medical, Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology. Look for the ABD SEAL.
Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). This title is only awarded to Board Certified Dermatologist.
Same Day Appointments
At Mays Dermatology, we believe in seeing your Dermatologist for your skin condition as soon as it appears. Dermatology is a highly in demand specialty and very time sensitive. Due to the shortage of fully Board-Certified Dermatologists, many patients are forced to see non-specialists, non-physicians, and urgent care centers for their skin condition. This can lead to mis-diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and increased healthcare costs. In addition many patients receive their “skin care recommendations” from department stores, spas, aestheticians, and other non Board Certified Dermatologists. We believe in providing access to everyone with same day appointments for treatment of your skin condition or cosmetic evaluation.
“If you assess the patient’s skin correctly, you can then customize the correct and most effective treatment. In my opinion this task is a specialized task requiring years of training that only Board Certified Dermatologists receive. “
– Dr. Mays
Short waiting times
Dr. Mays believes in proper and timely diagnosis in her visits and staying on time as much as possible. This means your visits are streamlined, paperwork is electronically processed, and your waiting time is sparse. We cater to a lot of professional patients as well as patients from all over the world. Offering same day appointment times (including lunch-hour appointments) and dedicating appointment duration to you is one of our major goals. In addition we strive to address all your concerns during your visit including any needed or desired procedures. Our visits are lengthier than the traditional insurance Dermatology visits, and run on time.
Tele-visits
We offer the convenience of virtual visits in the comfort of your home for patients in all 50 states. This means if you need a Dermatologist, we can help you! We use a HIPPA secure streamlined system to schedule your appointment and set up your live video visit with Dr. Mays. To schedule a televisit click here
Concierge Dermatology
Mays Dermatology offers our patients concierge services with 24-7 access to your Dermatologist and tele-visits in the comfort of your own home. You can inquire about this service by emailing us at [email protected]
Electronically forward practice
We have implemented state of the art equipment in our facility to streamline everything from when you first make an appointment all the way to your departure from our office. This allows our practice to be up to date with the latest developments in medicine, provide better patient safety due to use of EMR, and to do our part in saving the planet. All forms, consents, and patient documents are available online. Patients also have access to documents through patient portal and pay online options for convenience.
Full In-House Surgical Dermatology
Full in-house Surgical Dermatology services including skin cancer, cosmetic mole removal, benign excisions, cyst excisions, nail surgery, and Mohs Micrographic surgery all in the convenience of the outpatient state of the art office. At Mays Dermatology all of our surgical services are provided by Board-Certified Dermatologist and Board Certified General Surgeon specializing in melanoma surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy and skin cancer excisions needing operating room privileges. Taking care of your skin cancer in the office allows for better continuation of care as well as omits the need of unnecessary anesthesia/operating room risks and costs. Many patients travel from all over the state to have their skin lesions excised by us in the comfort and safety of an outpatient setting with local anesthesia.
Cosmetic Services performed by a Double Board Certified Dermatologist
At Mays Dermatology, you have access to state of the art cosmetic Dermatology services and cosmetic injectables including Botox/Xeomin/Dysport/Juveau, Dermal fillers, kybella, skin tightening, PRP face lift, melasma treatment, microneedling, chemical peels, dermaplaning, and physician-grade skin care products to name a few. For a complete list, visit the COSMETICS menu. Unlike other “spas”, all cosmetic consultations are performed by the Double Board Certified Dermatologist and tailored to prevent, maintain, and correct based on proper assessment. We do not believe in a cookie cutter approach to anti-aging and treat the patient as a “whole”. Dr. May’s goal as a Board Certified Dermatologist is to correct AND prevent. Therefore all our recommendations and procedures are aimed at long term benefits (not temporary) and prevention of going under the knife. As opposed to other “aesthetic practices”, ALL our injections are performed by Dr. Mays herself who lectures nationally on injection technique, facial anatomy, and cosmetic procedures.
Generic Prescription Access
Despite many prescription medications used in Dermatology being generic, some are still very expensive for patients based on insurance plan. At Mays Dermatology we offer a variety of the commonly prescribed prescription medications at our office for reasonable or below market prices, avoiding long lines at the pharmacy. We believe access to medication improves compliance and efficacy. Call our office to learn about our generic prescription drugs available to you.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To trust in oneself , and know if you strive to do something there is no reason you can not achieve it. Never lose confidence or feel you can’t do something especially in todays world where we are bombarded by social media showing the best “pretense” of the real world. Stick to pure old school hard work, resilience, and most importantly what is important for you to show the world.
Pricing:
- 250 New patient visit
- 150 Established Patient visit
- Cosmetic Pricing Varies
- Medical Procedure Pricing Varies
- Surgical Procedure Pricing Varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maysderm.com
- Instagram: @maysderm
- Facebook: Mays Dermatology & Cosmetic Center
Image Credits
N/A
