

Excelsior Springs, Mo. — Excelsior Springs Hospital (ESH) Outpatient Specialty Services now offers dermatology care with the addition of Dr. Michael Siscos, who brings a passion for rural healthcare and emphasizes the importance of accessible dermatological services.
Dr. Siscos, an award-winning surgeon specializing in Mohs micrographic and reconstructive plastic surgery, laser procedures, and cosmetic dermatology, has partnered with ESH to provide state-of-the-art care in a rural setting.
Previously focused on cosmetic surgery, Dr. Siscos has shifted his focus to procedural and surgical dermatology, aiming to meet the community’s specific needs. “There are all different aspects of the skin that you can treat and different aspects of medicine and surgery,” he said. “For me, dermatology is a smorgasbord of options you can tailor your career to without spending every week in the operating room.”
Dermatology involves the study and treatment of hair, skin, and nail conditions. Dr. Siscos addresses a range of issues, including rashes, psoriasis, and melanoma, helping patients achieve healthier and better-looking skin.
“Skin is the first thing people see,” he said. “People come in all the time wanting to look more youthful or to improve their quality of life. Being able to optimize skin health and help patients feel better about themselves drew me into this field.”
Dr. Siscos shared that his struggle with acne during adolescence shaped his career path. “I remember walking the aisles at Walgreens looking for a solution and seeing people with beautiful skin on TV,” he said. Those experiences inspired him to pursue dermatology when he attended medical school.
Dr. Siscos earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas and completed a surgical fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles. He later practiced in Los Angeles before becoming the founder and director of Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology and associate director of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Siscos is a double board-certified dermatologist and a member of prestigious organizations such as the American College of Mohs Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
While still practicing dermatology in Kansas City at University Health, Dr. Siscos joined ESH to bring specialized care to smaller communities. His decision was influenced by his mother, who grew up in Boyd, Kansas, near the Nebraska-Kansas border.
“Rural healthcare appealed to me because of my mother,” he said. “Healthcare in rural areas is not widely available, and people often have difficulty accessing specialized care.”
Dr. Siscos emphasized the importance of improving health outcomes for rural patients by offering specialized services locally. He visits ESH every Wednesday and provides care without requiring a referral, making access easier for patients.
His services include consultations for conditions such as cancer screenings for melanoma, rashes, lesions, eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, cellulitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, hair loss, and other skin-related ailments.
“Being able to get in and be seen is the most common reason why people don’t get evaluated in a timely fashion,” he said, “People will have a rash, and that rash goes away by the time they see their dermatologist because they can’t be seen for up to six months or a year. I like to try to see patients sooner rather than later.”
Dr. Siscos prioritizes patient comfort and accessibility in a small-town atmosphere. Being able to provide “ease of access care in a rural setting for Excelsior Springs and other satellite cities around the area is very beneficial,” he said. Leading Dr. Siscos to believe that his services at ESH are not just needed but provide the people of Excelsior Springs, with the beneficial health care they need.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!