LAUREL — South Central Regional Medical Center recently added a dermatologist to its highly trained staff.

David Roy, D.O., opened South Central Dermatology Clinic Aug. 16, and has seen more than 20 patients since that time.

“That’s way more than anyone could have ever imagined,” he said. “During the first two weeks, we have seen some scary things that highlighted the need for dermatology.”

Since arriving in Laurel, Roy has diagnosed four cases of melanoma, and other non-melanoma skin cancers including lymphoma.

Roy specializes in Mohs surgery, a microscopically controlled surgery used to treat common types of skin cancer.

“With the treatment, we cut pieces of the cancer out and check the margins to see if they’re clear,” he said. “We make sure there’s no cancer left.”

Roy said he makes the smallest cut possible during the surgery so as to prevent big defects in the skin. He then takes skin from another part of the body to smooth the skin out.

Roy said those who work in the sun such as farmers and construction workers are most prone to getting skin cancer. But, skin cancer is also prevalent with sun worshippers and those who use tanning beds.

“In Arizona, I saw a lot of 18- to 20-year-olds with skin cancer on their face,” he said. “I saw one 17-year-old who had skin cancer on their eyelid.”

Roy’s journey to the Pine Belt was a unique one. The Tampa, Fla., native had finished his residency in northern Arizona and accepted “an offer I couldn’t refuse” in Scottsdale.

“I worked there for two years, but never enjoyed it,” Roy said. “I was becoming an old grouchy doctor. I knew I had to make a change.”

Roy said he was looking for employment back in Florida when he was contacted by a recruiter for South Central Regional Medical Center.

“He asked if I had ever thought about Laurel, Mississippi,” he said. “I had never even heard of Laurel, Mississippi. He was persistent so I decided to check the place out.”

Roy said he was surprised by his visit and “fantastic interview” with hospital administrators Doug Higginbotham, John Chioco and Linda Gavin.

Roy noted that he was also pleased with how Higginbotham, the hospital’s chief executive officer, interacted with his staff.

“We went on a quick tour, and he knew everybody by their first name even in the kitchen,” Roy said. “He was a regular guy and was keeping his eye on the place. When we were loading the elevators, he saw a gum wrapper, picked it up and threw it in a trash can.

“The hospital is his baby,” he added. “That made a huge impression. I had a sense this was the right place for me. This is a great community with great people.”

Roy said he also met Laurel residents Chris and Linda Posey one day while touring the historic district around 6th Avenue.

“They invited me in for wine and snacks,” he said. “That’s been my experience since the day I got here. There are genuinely kind, good people here.”

Roy said not a day has gone by that he has not received a lunch or dinner invitation. By comparison, he said he hardly ever talked to his neighbors in Arizona.

“This community and the hospital are a throwback,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been looking for, and I’m extremely happy to be here. It’s refreshing.”

Roy, who attended Nova Southeastern in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said he was the first of his family to graduate from college.

“My dad worked in construction, and my mom worked odd jobs so I come from humble backgrounds,” he said.

Roy said he knew he wanted to be a doctor by the age of 5.

“I wanted to be a surgeon,” he said. “As a dermatologist, I still get to do surgery, but I’m not on call 24/7.”

Roy called skin cancer “completely preventable,” noting that nobody should die from the disease.

“Everyone should have a skin check once a year,” he said. “That way, we can pick up everything early and treat it.”

Roy said when it comes to checking yourself for skin cancer, follow the ABCDEs. The acronym stands for:

• Asymmetry

• Border irregularity

• Color change

• Diameter — bigger than 6 millimeters

• Evolution — anything changing

“If it gets bigger or smaller, darker or lighter, we need to check it out,” he said. “Melanoma can actually fade, which means it probably spread.”

Roy said people should also seek out a dermatologist if a spot grows or spreads out, itches, bleeds or burns, or receive a pimple on their nose that doesn’t go away.

“You need to do a self-inspection and come in for a skin check once a year,” he said. “If you’ve had skin cancer in the past, you need to come in every three to six months. Those with melanoma also need to have an annual eye exam.”

South Central Dermatology Clinic is located at 128 S. 11th Avenue, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information or to make an appoint, call 601-425-4860.