Apex Dermatology founder Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga was a Marine flight surgeon

Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga built Apex Dermatology on a simple premise: rapid access to great dermatological care.

The surgical dermatologist, who specializes in Mohs Micrographic Surgery, was a faculty member at a regional hospital and saw patients’ frustration when it took months to schedule appointments.

“People waiting a long time to get care – and they had cancer.  I thought, ‘there’s got be a better way to do this. This led me to open up my practice -- Apex in Concord, our first location. Our vision was to improve access to dermatology in our region.”

That was in 2011. Today, Apex Dermatology has 14 locations throughout Greater Cleveland and Akron/Canton. There are medical, surgical and aesthetic practices. Same day appointments are available – almost unheard of in the field.

“We have our own pathology labs, too. … we really have a 360 approach in our practice,” says Garcia-Zuazaga.

The latest and largest location opened in July in Mayfield Heights, the 18,000-square foot Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery Center at 29111 Cedar Road, which includes a medical office, aesthetic office and pathology lab.  The new location features 54 employees, and houses general dermatology, a Mohs skin cancer surgery center, an aesthetic clinic, a pathology lab, a clinical research center and corporate offices.

Throughout its locations, Apex employs 32 practitioners and 250 staff.

This robust staffing, along with the use of tech-enabled innovations including mobile phone self-scheduling of appointments, helps facilitate quick access to care.

“Our purpose is transforming lives through healthy skin, and I truly believe that doing that –whether you work at the front desk or the back office or as a provider or medical assistant – you're really helping transform lives.”

Serving the community has always been important to Garcia-Zuazaga.

A native of Puerto Rico who grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, he graduated from Marquette University with a degree of Biomedical Engineering, followed by a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. His work with artificial heart valves led him to medicine, and in 1995, he was commissioned in the United States Navy and enrolled in the Health Profession Scholarship Program. In 1999, he graduated at the top 5% of his medical school class at Penn State and moved to Washington, D.C.,  to complete his internship at the National Naval Medical Center. He earned his “wings of gold” as a flight surgeon in 2001, and became a surgeon for the Marine Corps.

After five years with the Marines, Garcia-Zuazaga moved to Cleveland for a dermatology residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Following residency, he completed a fellowship for Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. He returned to Greater Cleveland to serve as Director of Mohs Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology at University Hospitals.

And, he still felt he could do more.

 In 2009, Garcia-Zuazaga enrolled at the Weatherhead School of Business of Case Western Reserve University to pursue his MBA, while still working full time as a surgeon. Shortly after his 2011 graduation, he put both his medical and business degrees to work, opening Apex.

Garcia-Zuazaga, who was recently honored as a Notable Latino Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business, also does pro-bono scar removal surgery for veterans via Apex’s Purple Heart Project, and no-cost skin screening clinics in underserved communities around Greater Cleveland.

“We have also connected with several colleges and universities to help people from underserved communities who want to explore careers in dermatology or health care. We want to do what we can to help people get ahead in life. … It’s an investment in the community.”

Investing in community – and health – is paramount at Apex, as their new facility embodies.

“This is absolutely the next chapter of the company, says Garcia-Zuazaga.” This is us believing in our future and staff. It’s huge.”

Learn More

Apex Dermatology & Skin Surgery - Medical & Cosmetic Dermatologists (apexskin.com)

Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Cleveland leaders - Greater Cleveland Partnership