“Wonderful,” “outstanding” and “phenomenal” are words Dr. Kafi’s colleagues use to describe him. In his positions as chief of dermatology at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and a DirectDerm physician, he has a passion for treating complex, life-threatening skin eruptions.

He recalls a 20-year-old gentleman who came in for a rash on the palms of his hands.  This rash had been present for several months before coming to Direct Derm.  After reviewing the images, Dr. Kafi sent the young man for blood tests, suspecting that he had a sexually transmitted disease.  Indeed, the tests revealed that he did have this rare infection.  Thanks to DirectDerm technology and physicians, he was diagnosed quickly and began treatment.

“Teledermatology allows us to get specialized skin care to places where it previously wasn’t available,” he said. “DirectDerm allows us to take our expertise out to places that don’t otherwise have it, to provide top-tier dermatology support for primary care physicians in areas that don’t have specialists.”

What does this mean to the patient? “We’re making diagnoses earlier and more efficiently, and we’re getting patients the care they need faster than they would otherwise receive it,” he says. “Without a doubt, that means better outcomes for patients. The earlier you catch a melanoma, the better the outcome will be.”