All too often, the fields of dermatology and plastic surgery are lumped wholly in the category of elective medicine, procedures performed solely for the benefit of one’s appearance or services that are not medically necessary. While general health practices and dental care are made widely available to communities throughout the United States, we believe that dermatology and plastic surgery also need to exist broadly.

While dermatologists and plastic surgeons fields do offer various aesthetic options for patients, they also provide life-changing and life-saving services such as skin cancer detection and treatment, addressing skin infections, treatment of pediatric skin conditions, breast reconstruction following mastectomy, and surgical procedures such as functional rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery that can help patients with issues such as obstructed sight and difficulty breathing.

At Vanguard Skin Specialists, we built our reputation as a center for excellence in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma are often referred to us by other doctors. Over time, we also provided general medical dermatology, reconstructive plastic surgery, and aesthetic services.

Our Mission to Provide Care to Underserved Communities

The reason Vanguard has 9 locations is detailed expertly and simply by Vanguard co-founder, Dr. Vinh Chung:

“We go where we are needed. We find joy in serving the underserved. Our growth has been an organic response to the needs of our patients. When we serve our patients well, our patients will demand more of our service.”

Vanguard Skin Specialists began in Colorado Springs in 2009 when Dr. Chung and his wife Leisle founded the practice with the goal of making a positive impact on our patients, our community, and our world. Since 2009, Vanguard has extended its services to Cañon City, Castle Rock, La Junta, Pueblo, Woodland Park, and additional Colorado Springs locations.

New Locations Brought New Team Members and Services

As Vanguard continued to expand throughout Colorado, we attracted the help of new team members that share our vision of caring for our patients like family. With new providers came new procedures, and new areas of expertise that we are now able to offer thousands of Colorado residents who previously would have had little access to these services.

For some locations, there was no access at all to the services provided by Vanguard. For instance, prior to opening our location in La Junta, there were no dermatologists in the area. Now, citizens of La Junta have access to their very own skin cancer screening clinic.

Vanguard’s newest office in Castle Rock to provide those communities with vital services such as annual skin cancer screenings, tailored dermatology care routines, allergy testing for contact dermatitis and rashes, and treatment for chronic skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.

Vanguard has also expanded services by adding a new Women’s Intimate Wellness practice treating conditions women undergo following childbirth or as they age.

Voted Best Workplace 3 Years in a Row

In addition to offering medical care to our patients, Vanguard has been able to offer various team members benefits to our ever-growing list of nurses, doctors, aestheticians, medical assistants, office managers, and other valued staff. For three years in a row (2019, 2020, and 2021) Vanguard has earned the honor of being listed in the Gazette’s annual Best Workplaces list for Colorado.

If you or someone you know would like to join our team and find a career with impact—working to support neighbors as we continue to find new communities to serve—you can learn more here.

Vanguard Skin Specialists is a dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetic practice serving patients in Southern Colorado. To schedule an appointment, call 719 355 1585.