Pace Dermatology Associates

I had a great experience on our first visit today. We did arrive on time and my son was seen by Dr. Pace. He talked with him seemed genuinely interested in him and his concerns. He was friendly, attentive and very knowledgeable. He came up with a treatment plan and a 2 month follow up. Overall it was a great experience and we will continue to come here.

I came to see Dr. Aaron pace to treat some ongoing acne. It took about a month to get an appointment with his office, but I think that can be somewhat common with a specialist.
We initially tried a couple of different options before deciding to try accutane. Which I appreciated because there are many doctors who will look at a patient with acne and just put them on accutane immediately, and that really scares me. I really appreciated that we tried 2 different options before venturing into the more serious alternative. As a result of being on accutane, I got to know Dr. Pace and his team. I appreciated that Dr. Pace took a hard line when it came to research based approaches. Being a «science person» it made me feel like the decisions he was making about my skin and accutane dosages were safe and informed.
Dr. Pace was always really friendly and nice. His office is pretty small and can get crowded sometimes. But I didn’t really need to feel like I was in a spa to feel like I was getting decent service and attention. I could always expect my appointments to be very quick, 20 min, and all my questions answered. It just kind of depends on what your expectations are. I would recommend Dr. Aaron Pace or Shelly Velikof to any of my friends or family.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE A NUMBER THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! I was referred here and I am furious! I Just read the reviews count the negative reviews and that will give you an idea of how you will be treated at Pace Dermatology. They could care less. They don’t have time for new patients. Don’t even think about it-​with all the choices in the Tacoma area– Seriously! ANYWHERE BUT HERE-​REALLY.

I waited six weeks for an appointment with Dr. Pace. My appointment was at 8:50am. At 8:45am, I called the office and asked if they could help my located their office. The receptionist said, «Oh, no problem! You are just right across the street and it should only take you two minutes to get here. But I warn you, if you are even a minute late, your appointment will be cancelled.» I couldn’t believe it! She guided my to the right building, which is difficult because the buildings are alike and labeled by numbers and letters. By the time I got to the office it was 8:53 and they would not see me.

Wow. I very much wish I’d read some of these other reviews before I made this appointment.
This is, possibly, one of the worst service experiences at a doctors office I have ever had in my life. Hey Unilocal,can I give 1 star?
DO NOT GO HERE.
I made my appointment a month ago at the recommendation of a friend. I am newish to the area so don’t really have an established set of doctors in Tacoma yet. Thus, I was thankful for the recommendation. Also– and this might be too much info Unilocalers – I was coming here to have a suspicious mole looked at that I have long been avoiding getting checked… i.e. I’ve been a little afraid. Doctors offices can scare me a little bit. Anyway, despite this, I sucked it up and and made my appointment.
Pace is located in a large complex of hospital buildings. For those who do choose to go to Pace, please take note, it is in the B building of what looks like the hospital and it is on the 3^rd floor. There was absolutely no signage in the lot or on the outside of the building. This was not easy to find.
I left work early (I’m a teacher so this is very often hard to do) and rushed to 19^th and Union to get to my appointment. After about 15 min of driving around the parking lot I called the office to see if I could get some clarity about their location. It was 3:36 PM. The office staff gave me directions but informed me that if I missed my 3:40 appointment I would have to reschedule. I walked into the office at 3:42. They would not see me. I waited a few minutes to speak to a manager, explaining my circumstances (made the appointment a month ago, not finding the office, being 2 minutes late etc.etc.) and was told there was nothing she could do. She explained that this policy had been outlined in the initial paperwork I received in the mail. I told her I had not received paperwork in the mail. She asked me if I would wait in the waiting room while she went to verify my contact info. It was now 3:49. I asked her if there was any possibility of me getting into see the doctor and she again told me no and offered to reschedule. Frustrated, I asked when there next available appointment was. She told me she would look but that in order to book the appointment I would need to pay a $ 30 rescheduling fee for «missing» my appointment.
That is when I left. I will not be returning. It was 3:51.

This firm doesn’t get it, Don’t waste your time The most un professional medical office I have ever been to. The office staff ask personal information that every one in the waiting area can hear. Then your rushed to a waiting room for what was supposed to be a pre set appointment. Wait for an hour then Dr Pace comes in asks a few questions. Didn’t have any answers suggests a Biopsy and tests. Just don’t waste your time and money. Really Bad

The office waiting area is small, uncomfortable, crowded, and depressing. Waited for my husband approximately 30 minutes. The office staff talked about what they wanted for lunch the whole time and gave directions by phone to the people who were lost. The office location is hard to find buried in Allenmore Hospital’s mess. And dont even think about being a minute late they will not take you. I use Cascade Skin and it is a much better experience.

I returned to Pace once more and will not be returning again. While Shelley was an outstanding dermatologist, I am entirely too busy to deal with their incompetent office staff.

I’m a new patient, and today was my first visit. I think Dr. Andrew Pace spent maybe 15 minutes with me, and rather than asking me questions just went off of what I told him. I didn’t feel listened to or cared about, and his assistant was in «business mode», just extremely busy and just nice enough (although she was great with my toddler).
I will be getting a second opinion, just to see if perhaps I can find a doctor that will listen to me.
I am giving this place 2 stars because the front desk staff was wonderful, and everyone was very patient/​accommodating with my 2-​year-​old son.

My experience with this clinic was 9 months ago. I wasn’t sure if I should write a review, but I realized I must, because I would not recommend this clinic to a friend.
I come from a «mole-​y» family. I have had four moles removed in the past and I know that I must keep an eye on them.
I must say the employees who answer the phones/​front office staff are wonderful. They are polite and professional, no issues with them. The closest appointment to see one of the doctors was over a month away, but they indicated the Nurse Practitioner, Shelley Velickoff, had openings in two weeks. I have no issues seeing a NP/​PA, sometimes they can give more information or a more «personal» service than a MD.
I didn’t have to wait very long after check in to see her. She has a nice personality and I liked her. She didn’t make me feel bad for tanning (other derms have). She did a scan of my body and agreed that the mole in question should be removed.
This is where I have a problem with the practice. In the past, I have had each mole removed via the «punch» and then biopsied. I have never been on antibiotics after a procedure and never had any issues. This time, she shaved the mole off my neck. She also ran into some trouble while doing it and had to go back with the razor for a few jagged spots left behind.
She placed a band aid on my neck and the instructions were to only use vaseline and wash with gentle soap and water.
I put complete trust in medical professionals, because they know more than I. So I took her instructions and did as I was told.
Within 35 hours, the gaping open wound was green. Also, the immediate area was red and raised, it looked horrible. (I do have pictures, I am unsure if I should post them). I took extreme care washing this wound, kept bandages on it. This happened over the weekend (doesn’t it always?), so monday morning I call. The wonderful front desk staff was able to get me in that day so the NP could see. Sure enough, it was an infection. She did a swab and sent it to the lab and prescribed antibiotics.
Five days later, still green!
So I call back, and they have received the lab results of the swab, the antibiotic needs to be changed. Ok, cool.
New drug prescribed gives me a lovely yeast infection. So I call the office and tell them the story and ask for a prescription for Diflucan (which works miracles!). NP calls in the drug. Her Medical assistant indicated to me if it didn’t clear up, give them a call again, no worries. While at the pharmacy, the pharmacist mentions it is very common to need two or three doses of Diflucan sometimes So to not be concerned or worried if I need to ask the Dr. for a refill.
Five days later, it’s still lingering, (but the green infected wound is gone!) so I call the office and explain what’s happening.
Medical assistant calls back and says the NP wants me to use an OTC to finish clearing the infection.
Luckily my GP was more willing to prescribe the second needed dose of Diflucan to clean up this secondary infection.
It’s been 9 months, I have a gross scar on my neck from the razor hack job that was done. I missed a day of work because of the secondary infection.
Deep down my opinion is this mole should have been removed (like the other four) with a punch, sutured shut. Because of this experience, I will insist on that exact procedure from now on.
I was unsure between one or two stars. Could go either way.

I’m at wits end with this place. I came in a year ago with some minor skin inflammation. They gave me some antibiotics and all sort of different topicals. The condition started to flare up, and at this point what was a small irritation has taken over half my body.
Initially i was being seen by Pace but later on got switched to one of his assistance which i wouldn’t mind had they at least notified me.
The kicker is they finally did a biopsy (very sloppy one) leaving a really bad scar. Came in to get the sutures removed and results from the biopsy. I got seen by yet again a different assistant that seemed a little clueless as to what was going on with my condition. They took the sutures out, poorly i may add (the wound hadnt sealed and caused bleeding).
The assistant simply threw a band aid on it and said «oh just got get some Vaseline for it and as far as the results we will just keep you on the same regimen». The visit felt rushed and terrible to say the least.
The place is all tech but it isn’t very personable. Don’t come here. It’s a waste of time and a total money grab. They don’t take your concerns seriously.
Update* July 2014
3 months later they send a bill for the biopsy. Talk about a con
If I could give it no stars I would

I’ve been in twice and I’m not impressed. The office seems very busy but disorganized; both times I was there someone was training, which is fine, but no one asked me if it was okay to send a trainee in, and each time the trainee was clueless. I’ve had two biopsies, and both were pretty sloppy and are leaving big, visible scars.
When I returned for my second appointment to follow up on medications from the first appointment, the person I saw (not Dr. Pace) didn’t know what I was there for, didn’t check the medications’ effects (they aren’t very helpful) or suggest any alternatives, and prescribed me an antibiotic I am allergic to – or would have, if I hadn’t alerted her. And now I’ve waited over a week for the biopsy results. They prescribed standard stuff I’ve had before, and which didn’t work then or now.
I felt rushed both times during my visit, and definitely as though my questions were brushed off; as if, as someone over 30, my «cosmetic» skin issues weren’t important to them. I’ve had some wonderful, caring dermatologists in the past, and this office really doesn’t compare. Very disappointed, because my health insurance has very few options.

I actually like Dr Pace (I take my mother there). But – he only sees one new Medicare patient a week: so if you have a problem and just happen to have passed that magical age of 65, beware. Normally I would not mind a near 2 month wait – but I needed to see someone quickly and the real frustration was that had I been younger I could have seen him sooner! He had openings!!! Medicare is far from perfect — and even with supplemental insurance the doc’s reimbursement is less than it would normally be.
So part of me doesn’t blame the doctor. Another part thinks his rules a tad rigid if a patient really had an emergency. Exceptions could have been made. The receptionist did say I could have seen the doctor had I wanted to pay the full bill myself, by the way – so it must be all about money here… And the age/​insurance discrimination was very upsetting. Luckily I found a doctor who didn’t discriminate and who could see me ASAP due to a cancellation! Phew!

This office is tech saavy, the staff are courteous, and unlike many places you are seen quickly, but not in such a way that you feel rushed. It feels efficient.

Location:
It’s in bldg B at the Allenmore medical Center and there is ample free parking.
Staff:
I was 15 minutes late for my appointment as I was waiting in the wrong office one floor below but they were still friendly and able to see me without too much of a wait. I work in the field and I know how important the drs time is as he has a schedule full of other patients to see, so I appreciate his staff being not only understanding but completely professional in my check in as well as check out process without making me feel worse for being late which a lot of offices do now a days.
The office is high tech which I love. You can book your appointments online thru ZooDoc. They have iPad like devices they utilize instead of paper charts– another bonus as before I left my appointment my prescriptions where instantly faxed to my pharmacy.
Dr Aaron Pace:
I found that he had great bed side manner. He answered my questions and addressed my concerns. Again I arrived more than 15 minutes late for my new patient exam and was seen without much wait. He was friendly and helpful.
I came in due to a recent breakout. Being in my early thirties I thought I was well past the stage of breakouts. I have been seen my other dermatologists that brush over my suggestions. I woke up Sunday with a cyst on my left cheek. Though I get one at least once a year– in my new position at work I was really self conscious so I wanted to address it quickly. I was able to make an appointment online and was seen within 2 days. He gave me the cortisone shot I had researched and had secretly hoped he would give me. I left his office with a noticeably smaller cyst and now 24 hours post it’s half it’s original size.
I know he isn’t the type of doctor to go around putting needles in peoples faces; he is however knowledgeable, friendly and I had a great initial visit and I’m hoping his regimen gets me baby face clear in no time.
5 stars for the ease in booking appointments; the friendliness of the staff, the high tech upgrades and my overall experience with Dr Pace. I recommend coming here to see Dr Pace for your skin care concerns!