Alexandria Associates In Dermatology

Very pleased so far with this office, particularly Dr. Freeland. He was very thorough and definitely listened to me. He made me feel comfortable and it was easy to talk to him. Very professional!

Very pleased with Dr. Bray. He was respectful, informative, and helpful regarding the range of treatment. The office’s waiting room is comfortable and clean. However, the office is not well-​served by the two receptionists working on the day of my visit. They greeted patients in a perfunctory manner, yet chattered nonstop btw themselves about an upcoming beach vacation. The one who took payment announced everyone’s insurance and copay to the room. Unprofessional and annoying at a medical practice. This was in stark contrast to the professional behavior of the medical assistants and back-​office staff. I will return to see Dr. Bray, but hope that practice management can improve the waiting room experience.

So I found out I got this white patch on upper arm, and I just wanna make sure it’s nothing serious so I called and make an appointment. Everyone was nice but I was expecting to see a doctor NOT a P. A, and worst of all she couldn’t really identify what it was just wrote me a prescription for some steroid cream to put on, my deductible with my insurance was 40 bucks, took her about 5 mins to see me … Nope … Not worth it!!! I will never come back here

I visited this office and saw Dr. Joanne Simpson a few times. It is your typical doctor office, with mediocre staff and long wait times. If they had not left me waiting for so long on one occasion in particular then I would give them 3 stars, but they want patients to be on time, so they should be too. I have since found a new doctor that is much better. Happy to not return here.

For my appointment I saw a PA-​C. I should have waited to see a real dermatologist. She was brief and lacked discussion. She wanted to biopsy a freckle that I have had my whole life. I have no idea why I went along with it. I told her that I have keloid scars and I was concerned about the outcome. She ignored me. She cut a huge hole in my leg. (it was obviously benign, it was a freckle!). Now it looks like I have a cigarette burn on the middle of my thigh. Its horrendous! I am upset with myself for allowing this to happen, but also incredibly unhappy with the service this office provides. I also asked about cream for sunspots. She threw some pamphlets at me and said I could buy it at the front desk. Didn’t give any details to my questions.
I would NEVER return to this office for services.

I have had the pleasure to see both dermatologist and one of the PA, however Dr. Bray was a better fit for me. He takes the time to listen to your needs while carefully assessing your situation. Unlike other practices he looks at the holistic picture and not just prescribe something to experiment.
I did not wait long to see him, provided samples. Very good memory.
Staff is very friendly.

Dr. Simpson was wonderful. hubby and I used to go to Dr. Smith — even before the fancy digs. He retired in Oct. 2014 but told us we needed to come in every six months for a scan. This was our first visit with Dr. Simpson. We couldn’t be happier. lovely person. Great staff. Took her time talking to us and explaining what she was doing.
We couldn’t be more pleased. We will be going back in August!!!

Dr. Simpson saved my LIFE!
I had a spot on my lower jaw for almost 7 years… 4 other dermatologists looked at it and thought nothing of it (all male…) She instantly said «I don’t like that,» biopsied it, revealed Stage 3 melanoma. Dr. Simpson excised it and stitched so beautifully that you have to look HARD to find the scar.
I have referred many others who have equally fantastic impressions. Dr. Simpson is an amazing dermatologist and I will be her patient for life.

Was given a referral from my primary care physician to see Dr. Simpson due to a family history of melanoma. When I called, however, I was told that only the P.A.s are taking new patients at this practice. The receptionist tried to tell me that a P.A. is «just as qualified» to evaluate for possible skin cancer and perform any biopsies as an M.D. Sorry… this response didn’t fly with me so I am in the process of finding a practice that will allow new patients to see an actual physician.

A friend had recommended Dr. Simpson to me. (I should know that friends often have different ideas about doctors and dentists than I have, especially because I have a medical background myself.) After my mother had part of her nose removed because of skin cancer (yes! be sure to use sunscreen!), I thought I should have a full-​body check of my barnacles and so forth.
The office is very fancy, and the receptionist and office workers, as well as Dr. Simpson, all are scarily gorgeous, as if there is a requirement that they all have their hair done professionally every morning. I had to wait a long time, both in the waiting room and in the examination room.
Dr. Simpson was said to be behind schedule; eventually she whooshed in, with an assistant behind her carrying some kind of blowtorchy-​looking apparatus carried on a tray; they looked like the procession of Cleopatra and her dermatological minion. When Dr. Simpson found things on me, she would pronounce their names very slowly. That is probably good for most patients, but to me a doctor who can’t figure out that their patient is bright/​knowledgeable has poor judgment (I tend to drop hints. To the wise, a word is sufficient.). I didn’t care so much about this, though, as about feeling rushed. I might have wanted to have one or two of my barnacles (mainly seborrheic keratoses) removed, if that blowtorchy thing could be used for that. I was never asked about this, nor did I get the feeling that she wanted to do this for me. I mean: it took a lot of time and trouble for me to get there, find the place, wait, wait, etc. I don’t want to go back and do it over next week.
Don’t know whether I want to go back to that office or not. Overall there was something a little off-​putting about the ambience. But they have charted all my barnacles, so. .. . maybe.

I just relocated here to DC and I was searching for an African American Dermatologist. I went to Dr Simpson and she was not a good fit for me. I did my own reach on the acne medication I wanted to use and when I told her she overlooked my request and gave me what SHE wanted. When I asked her what did she think about the medication I requested she gave me a blank stare like «Take this or out my face». She didn’t even take the time to explain why she prefered the medication she recommended. The bad thing is, I told her I did NOT want to be on Accutane. The medication is recommended was called absorica which is another form of Accutane basically. I’m not a dermatologist so helping me understand why would be appropriate. Then she walked out and her assistant did the closing remarks. REALLY??? Ewww. I left knowning I would not return!

I’m a guy in my late 20s who decided to see Dr. Bray about my adult-​onset moderate acne. I went to AAD b/​c it was the closest dermatology office that was in my insurance plan.
I have made four visits to Dr. Bray over the past year, and I have seen incredible results regarding reduction in acne. Although it took a year, I now have much clearer skin and greater confidence.
I recommend Dr. Bray because of the following:
1) Results– I got them in about a year; it was a gradual process for me
2) Appointments — easy to make and I was always seen within 10 minutes of my scheduled time
3) Bedside manner– Dr. Bray took his time to ask me questions, and then gave me time to ask him questions. I never felt rushed. He showed a genuine concern about my skin and overall well-​being.
The AAD office is clean, easy to access from 395, and parking is free with validation. I highly recommend Dr. Bray!

Excellent practice! I had a basil cell carcinoma removed two years ago, through out the entire process (identification of said mass, surgery, follow up care) I had nothing but professional and friendly service from Dr. Bray and the staff at Alexandria Associates in Dermatology. Recently the PA (Sharon Kluger) I had been seeing for regular medical/doctor’s visits over the past 7 years moved to this office. Although I was sad she can no longer see me for regular doctor’s appointments, I was ecstatic I could see her at my dermatologists office. I have been seeing Sharon for many years now, and Dr. Bray for only a few, but Both Sharon & Dr. Bray are consummate professionals. I always feel listened to, and that my best interest is their concern.
I went in a month ago for my regular skin scan and unfortunately when I went in I had developed what appeared to be a contact dermatitis (broke out in a rash). Sharon prescribed an ointment and when that did not seem to work completely I called the office. Sharon called me back personally to discuss and prescribed another medication (which helped!). I called the office as I was experiencing what I thought might be another form of allergic reaction, and Sharon was on vacation, but Dr. Bray called me back and discussed in detail what may be occuring and we came up with a solution that cured my allergy problem immediately. I am impressed that even though they maintain busy schedules, they both called me back to find a solution to my problem.

I have been very impressed with Alexandria Associates in Dermatology. I have received excellent care from Dr. Smith and Dr. Bray, but I would describe Dr. Bray as my primary dermatologist. Dr. Bray has treated a variety of dermatology issues that I have encountered over the last several years. In each case the diagnosis and treatment brought relief from the condition promptly. The most recent issue was a dog bite. I had been treated by Dr. Bray for an animal bite once before and knew that I needed to start an antibiotic right away. Schedule conflicts precluded me from seeing him that day so he called in the antibiotic after office hours and called me to confirm that I had received it.
I always feel like I am getting great care from Dr. Bray. He listens to you, spends time with you and explains the condition so you can understand. These days it seems that doctors are rushed and under pressure to move on the next patient. I don’t see that with Dr. Bray.

I have no idea what kind of doctor Dr. Simpson is because I couldn’t get beyond the front office staff mistakes to even see her. New patient appointments have to be scheduled 4 weeks in advanced because that is all that is available. When I showed up for my appointment, I was told that it was actually scheduled for a different day. Basically, the person I made the appointment with over the phone verbalized the wrong date.
The options I was given were:
1) Keep the original appointment which is on a day I could not make (which is why I did not schedule it for that day);
2) Set up a new patient appointment that was another 4 weeks away.; or
3) See a physician’s assistant.
Unless I’m going to be charged a discounted co-​pay, I want to see an actual doctor. I did not see the physician’s assistant nor did I reschedule.

Last year, I made my father make an appointment to get his moles checked. Dr. Simpson determined that two moles looked suspicious. And her suspicions were correct, they turned out to be melanoma. His surgery was quickly scheduled to remove the moles. We were happy when the results showed that nothing had spread. But Dr. Simpson recommended that he return every 3 months so she could monitor any changes.
With this family background, I decided to go myself, even though I’m only in my late 20s. When I first met her, Dr. Simpson was warm and friendly. She checked my entire body and looked at all of my moles. She was very thorough. She noticed one mole on my back. She explained to me the ABCDs of checking moles and why she thought this mole needed to be removed and sent to the lab for further testing. I appreciated the explanation for what to look for in a mole and will know what to look for in the future.
My test came back severely abnormal, bordering on melanoma. She scheduled me that same week to remove a larger area.
I was nervous about surgery, but I shouldn’t have been. Dr. Simpson was very professional and calm throughout the surgery. She explained to me, step-​by-​step as she was performing the surgery, what she was doing and why. I appreciated knowing what was going on, because I couldn’t see it myself, as my mole was on my lower back. After the surgery was over, the wound care instructions were easy to follow, and I had minimal bruising around the surgical area. Dr. Simpson made it very clear to follow-​up with her if I needed anything.
A week after the surgery, I just got the call that my results were good. Nothing had spread! Dr. Simpson had removed all of the potential precancerous skin cells.
Now, I’m scheduled for a check up every 6 months. I’m really glad that Dr. Simpson is taking care of my whole family. She helped both my father and I and my brother and mother have appointments in the coming months.
I would highly recommended Dr. Simpson as a dermatologist. She was warm, friendly and professional. I’m glad she cares about my family and wants to keep us healthy.

My most recent visit (01÷29÷14) with Dr. Simpson was much better… just like the old days! The wait time was still unusually long, but doc office visits are often unpredictable. She was able to spend more time with me unlike my last visit in October so I was very pleased. I left the office feeling like she really took the time needed to examine my skin and develop a good skin care routine for me! They are one of the best derm practices in the DMV area so I understand that they’re probably busier now than they were at the older location. With that said, wait time aside, it was a great at visit!

I went once more to see Dr. Bray, but this time for a botox appointment. I take back everything I said about him that was positive. He asked me what was wrong with my eye. I said nothing, depressed of my unemployment situation I was in and was constantly worrying, so I’m sure it wears on you after a while. He knew I had been out of work for a while too. As he was coming at me with the syringe he just happened to mention that I should get plastic surgery and get an eye lift. He just happened to know someone he could recommend, of course!
Really, jerk? Okay, let’s bypass food for an eye lift that no one has ever told me I’ve needed. Even so, I was flabbergasted to hear such a shallow comment like that from a dermatologist. Then I remembered he was originally from this area and only cares about himself and how super awesome he thinks he is. Um, I’ve had better.
That place can suck it. I’m not going back.

I went there today and met with a Physician’s Assistant to get some prescriptions. This visit was not helpful at all for me. I wanted certain prescriptions based on my needs, and the physicians seem to be set on the prescriptions they provide — either due to pressure, or something else that I don’t know about.
The only positive was that the appointments were easy to make, but again, I did not meet with the doctor.
This place seems to be for older folks, not for the younger crowd.
The facilities were decent, but not over the top great.

I’ve come back twice since my first appointment. The first time, I came back because I had a spot on my leg that itched really bad. The medication for my itchy legs that Dr. Simpson gave me wasn’t really working. She looked at the spot and even took some of the skin to examine but couldn’t tell me what it was. She recommended I continue to use the prescription she gave me.
I also told her that other medication for my armpits worked for a couple weeks but stopped. She didn’t really have any recommendations for that either. It was kinda a waste of time.
The second time, I needed to come in because more spots were forming on my stomach and they were itchy. I was scheduled for 2:40pm. I was about 7 minutes late. I waited until about 3:20 and told them I had to leave because I needed to be somewhere to be at 4:00. I hate waiting. I understand it’s a doctor’s office but anything over 20 minutes is too much.