Photo Caption: Dr. Renata Prado during a Vanguard trip to Haiti

By Dr. Renata Prado

Everyone at Vanguard knows our mission. It permeates everything we do on a daily basis.

We live and breath our mission: To make a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world.

Vanguard’s work – taking care of patients with the highest degree of medical excellence, curing tens of thousands of skin cancers, opening offices in underserved areas, donating generously to our community, or being involved in numerous international humanitarian projects – is proof that this is not just a mission that we hang on a wall.

Our mission guides us to make decisions in difficult times.

Our mission drives us to do better every day.

Our mission directs us to go the extra mile (or extra hundred miles) for each of our patients.

Our mission inspires us to create something bigger than us. It allows us to attract like-minded people who join us and strengthen our commitment. Our mission clarity propels us forward to build something really special.

Our mission creates a positive impact within each of us. It’s a fire that fuels everyone who works here, that warms our hearts, and that gives us a purpose. There is no better gift.

The more we do for others, the more we receive.

Most days, I feel that what I have received from my patients (their love, trust, shared life stories, laughter and even tears) has lifted me and healed me more than the cancer I just cured. Most days, the inspiration I have received from my colleagues, my assistants, and our staff is more than I can measure. Their enthusiasm about excellence in medical care drives me to be a better doctor. Their commitment to our projects in our community and in the world makes my work meaningful. Their courage to bring new ideas, to think in a different way, and to always do what is right inspire me to be a better human being.

It has been an honor to serve, lead and build at Vanguard. I am excited to see what we can do in the many years ahead.

Dr. Renata Prado is a board certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. Dr. Prado trained in her home country of Brazil, Northwestern University, and the University of Colorado-Denver. She is one of Vanguard’s physician leaders, keeping Vanguard focused on our mission of making a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world.