With a purpose of “transforming lives through healthy skin,” Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, founder of Apex Dermatology and former Marine Flight Surgeon, combined his two passions―dermatology and military service―to create The Purple Heart Project, an amazing charitable service which offers complimentary scar treatments to veterans injured in active duty.
Scars are an unfortunate part of life, and getting rid of them or reducing their appearance isn’t easy. But Dr. Garcia, as a veteran himself, understands that for military veterans who’ve been injured, the scars can be an even greater struggle: They’re a physical reminder of trauma and hardship. Along with physical scars, injured veterans can face PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression or other mental health issues. The Purple Heart Project seeks to reduce the physical scars while improving confidence, happiness and the entire outlook on life for these deserving veterans.
“I wanted to provide a community service that would combine my passions in dermatology and military service,” says Dr. Garcia. “The Purple Heart Project allows me to pay it forward in a small way. If I can change even one life, I’ll be grateful to have made a difference.”
Complementary treatments
Injured veterans can visit https://www.apexskin.com/purpleheartproject/ to view and complete the application to be considered for complimentary scar revision treatment. Dr. Garcia reviews the applications and invites selected veterans to visit the office to evaluate their scar(s) for treatment.
Different types of injuries result in different types of scars, and different scars require different types of treatments to heal properly. Dr. Garcia offers several methods of scar revision including laser treatments, microdermabrasion, micro-needling, injections, surgery and others. Because of the healing process, scar revision sometimes leaves a different, less obtrusive scar. Dr. Garcia’s team evaluates veterans’ scars to determine the best treatment to use, and the program’s complimentary service covers multiple treatment sessions if needed.
“The Purple Heart Project allows me to pay it forward in a small way. If I can change even one life, I’ll be grateful to have made a difference,” says Dr. Garcia.
Meet the doctor
Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, MD, MS, FAAD, FACMS
Dermatologist, Marine Flight Surgeon and founder of Apex Dermatology
Offices: Concord, 440-352-7546; Mentor, 440-578-7546; Mayfield Hts., 440-646-1600
