UPMC Dermatology – Shadyside

I have super-​reactive skin. Once when I was 8, my mom took a chance on a new laundry detergent. I spent the day at home with «chicken pox.»
Fast forward to adulthood, at various times in the past few years I’ve had rashes, hair loss, toenail fungus (be honest – you’ve had some too!), and concerning moles. With each issue, Shadyside Derm has been on the case!
They’ve taken the time to listen to my concerns even when my complaint sounded ridiculous as soon as it came out of my mouth. «Here’s a picture of a bunch of red bumps. What do you think it is, and can you please make it stop itching!?»
They’re very professional and knowledgeable, and I highly recommend the doctors (I’ve seen Sheehan and Y. Burnimovich) and the physician’s assistants at this practice.
Sounds great? Here’s the caveat: They’re RIDICULOUSLY BUSY! Plan for a 3 – 4 month wait to get an initial appointment here. Also be prepared to wait a long in the waiting and/​or treatment room. They pack the schedules, but they still spend time with patients. The result is waiting. Try for morning appointments.
To the reviewers who commented on wait times: a) I challenge you to find a UPMC practice in the city in any specialty that does not have long wait times for appointments. It’s not fair to blame these doctors for a systemic issue
b) Being in-​demand is a GOOD sign! If you need to go to doctors who can see you now, go to Urgent Care or the ER. (Oh, and be prepared to wait.)

I agree with the few other negative reviews here and not the one positive one. I waited months for the appointment. On the appointment day, I was soon brought from the waiting room into an exam room that apparently was never cleaned between patients, because the cleaning lady stopped by and said that she had not cleaned. She exited and left me in the dirty room. Yuri Bunimovich, MD, PhD had me wait in my gown in the exam room for 45 minutes before he finally saw me. He did a head-​to-​toe mole exam in a few minutes. I then inquired about some small, flesh-​colored growths that I have on my face, neck, and upper chest. He did not look closely at me, so I do not think that he saw what I was talking about. He said that I probably have tinea versicolor, which I looked up and found out is a fungal infection that results in small, discolored patches. My skin looks nothing like photos of tinea versicolor. The nurse immediately sent a prescription to my pharmacy for an anti-​fungal shampoo. I did not agree with the diagnosis, but I paid for the prescription and used it for weeks, and my skin growths, which I think are actually skin tags, were – surprise! – NOT cured by the anti-​fungal prescription. When I had first checked in for my appointment, I paid $ 25 on a computer for my «30-​minute» appointment, but after my appointment when I went to exit the office, the receptionist tried to get me to pay a second time. I am on the lookout for a new dermatologist.

I’ve been coming to this office for over two years now and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I’ve seen different dermatologists over the last fifteen years and for me this is the best. This wasn’t the first Derm I visited in the area either. I had a horrible experience at a different doctors office (there’s a review somewhere for that too) and after that visit I went looking for a different doctor and found this place. I have seen two different Drs here and one Physicians Assistant. Both Drs are Bunimovic Mrs and Mr. All of whom have listened to me and actually carried on a conversation about treatment options. I can tell you this is not the case everywhere. I also like that I can message back and forth with my Doctor. If there’s something I have a concern about I can take a picture send an email and I normally get a response within 24 hours. Also when I have had tests done I have received calls from my Dr. Not his nurse or an office person but my actual Doctor. This is a rarity now a days. I do have to say sometimes you might have to wait a few weeks for an appt but they do have a waiting list you can go on and they’ll call you if a place opens up. If it’s something you feel is urgent let them know and they will do everything they can to get you in asap. This particular office is more for the medical side of dermatology but they do have another location that focuses more on the cosmetics side of things. If you are like me and need to see a Derm on the regular I cannot recommend this office enough.

It is impossible to get an appointment and be prepared to wait an hour before being seen.