Although he
’s lived in Morgan Hill for four years, Dr. Visoth Chhiap never
thought of working here until the mayor suggested the idea. Just
over a week ago, Chhiap became the first practicing dermatologist
in the mushroom city.
Although he’s lived in Morgan Hill for four years, Dr. Visoth Chhiap never thought of working here until the mayor suggested the idea.
Just over a week ago, Chhiap became the first practicing dermatologist in the mushroom city.
A native of Cambodia, Chhiap survived the vicious rule of the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian War in the 1970s and settled in Los Angeles with his family in 1975 when he was just 12 years old.
Becoming a dermatologist wasn’t on his mind when he enrolled in Pasadena City College and later University of California in Los Angeles to pursue a biochemistry degree. He stumbled on his future career at Albany Medical College where he was studying to be an internist after studying pharmaceutical sciences at UC San Francisco.
“It’s like fish and water,” Chhiap said of the accidental discovery of his life’s calling. “When I took the course as an elective, it was like I knew I was home. I found something I liked. Unlike diabetes, or blood pressure, which have no cure, in most cases in dermatology, there are cures. It’s gratifying to see something I can do and fix it. For someone with acne, I can make it better, I can actually cure it. I see a student with cystic acne so depressed and once cured, that person is all smiles and feels good.”
After graduating in 1995 and completing his residencies, Chhiap worked for Kaiser before opening his own San Jose practice four years ago.
Were it not for Morgan Hill Mayor Dennis Kennedy, Chhiap said he never would of thought of opening an office in Morgan Hill. The two men bumped into each other while shopping at Safeway about four months ago. When Kennedy learned Chhiap had a practice in San Jose, he suggested opening a local practice.
“I love Morgan Hill,” Chhiap said. “I know my neighbors, and I even know the names of their dogs. I know more people here than any place I’ve lived. This community has impressed me. This is my home. So when Mayor Kennedy asked, ‘Why not here, we don’t have a dermatologist here,’ I considered it, looked around, talked to doctors here. Other than one dermatologist in Gilroy, there was no choice in Morgan Hill. People need a choice.”
For the time being, Chhiap will maintain 8am to 5pm office hours every Friday at the DePaul Health Center. He will extend his hours to include Tuesdays as his practice builds.
Dermatology has gone beyond mere cosmetic problems, Chhiap said. Skin cancer is very prevalent these days, according to Chhiap, especially among Caucasians. Chhiap sees one patient with skin cancer a day. He said nationally, there are one million cases of basal cell carcinoma a year, but the cure rate is 95 percent when properly treated. He said there are about 60,000 diagnosed cases of melanoma a year and 8,000 deaths a year that result from it. The key to survival is early diagnosis and, of course, prevention, said Chhiap.
In addition to his practice, Chhiap also lectures on skin cancer awareness and skin problems at Highland General Hospital and the family practice residency program at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose.
Chhiap hopes his practice will grow in Morgan Hill, for there is nothing like working close to home, where he lives with his wife of 24 years, Maribeth, an illustrator, and their brown tabby, Gusty.
“I need to thank the mayor for giving me good advice,” he noted.
Upon learning Chhiap recently opened his practice in Morgan Hill, Mayor Kennedy expressed his delight.
“I am delighted to hear Dr. Chhiap has opened a practice in Morgan Hill,” said Kennedy. “I am pleased and excited for him. A good dermatologist is really important because they can actually save lives because of early detection of skin cancer.”
Dr. Chhiap office is located at the DePaul Health Center, 18550 De Paul Drive, Suite 109, off Cochrane Road and Highway 101. He shares the office with cardiologist Dr. Anu Chirala. He may be reached at 998-2800.
