Meet Our Team

G. Luke Lewis, MD

G. Luke Lewis is a transplanted Texan. He is board certified by The American Board of Dermatology and has been practicing in the Fort Smith area since 1995. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany Oklahoma graduating with highest honors. He completed his medical training at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in 1987. Dr. Lewis then completed an internal medicine residency at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas and obtained board certification in internal medicine. After his residency, he was a clinical research fellow in hematology at Scott and White and an instructor in internal medicine at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. His growing interest in dermatology led him to a clinical research position in infectious disease/dermatology in the Houston area affiliated with UTMB. He moved to Lubbock, Texas for his dermatology residency at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center where he also served as chief resident in dermatology. After completion of his residency, he moved to Fort Smith to join Dr. Bradford and Dr. Magness in the dermatology department at Cooper Clinic and subsequently practiced at Mercy Clinic. He has broad interests in medical and surgical dermatology with over 25 years experience treating skin disease in Fort Smith. Dr. Lewis maintains staff affiliation with Mercy Hospital.

He is an active member of First Church of the Nazarene in Fort Smith. When not at work, he enjoys family, golf, cooking, gardening, and the visual and performing arts.

P. Craig Stites, MD

Phillip Craig Stites is a native of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He is board certified by The American Board of Dermatology in both general/surgical dermatology and in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery. He has been practicing in the Fort Smith area since 2001. After finishing high school, he received his bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Oklahoma in 1993. He completed his medical training at Vanderbilt University in 1997. Dr. Stites then completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. He spent three years training in Mohs micrographic surgery at Vanderbilt University Department of Dermatology with Drs. Michel McDonald and Thomas Stasko and passed the Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery Subspecialty Certification Examination. He is experienced in and enjoys all aspects of adult and pediatric dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic services with a special interest in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Dr. Stites is a staff physician at Mercy and Baptist Hospitals in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

He and his family are active members of First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith. Outside the office, he enjoys watching and playing sports and spending time on the family farm in Oklahoma.

Bryce Bass, MPA, PA-C

Bryce is a native of southeast Kansas. She is a newly board-certified Physician Assistant and is incredibly excited to be immersing herself in the field of dermatology. Bryce received her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2019 from West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. She completed the majority of her clinical rotations at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas where she also represented the school as a competitive swimmer for 4 years. Bryce is passionate about treating patients with any dermatology condition due to her struggle with acne in the past.

In her time outside of work, Bryce enjoys being active and spending time on her family farm with her animals. She also loves to watch sports and attend different sporting events.

Melanie Myers, MPAS, PA-C

Melanie, a proud Cajun and native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is a NCCPA board certified physician assistant practicing since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2010 graduating with honors. Having a passion for volunteer work, she served as a member of the ULL Americorps where she traveled for multiple disaster relief efforts and worked with nonprofit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. She was awarded the Sigred Lanoux Service Award for the College of Sciences. She then received her Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana and was named Outstanding Clinician of her graduating class. She went on to work initially in gastroenterology before switching into dermatology.

Outside of work, she enjoys time with her family, traveling, the outdoors, and reading.

Matthew Patton, MS, MPA, PA-C

Matt is a Kansas native of the Flint Hills and has been practicing dermatology as a physician assistant since 2009. He has passed the NCCPA national certification examination and has a Master of Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University which included a preceptorship in dermatology. Matt is also an experienced educator and has a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University.

Matt is proficient and experienced in diagnosing and treating dermatological diseases, performing preventative skin examinations, and identifying and treating skin cancers. He has completed the Hugh Greenway Cutaneous Surgery program and excels at surgical removal of both malignant and benign skin lesions while utilizing minimally scarring repair techniques. His passion for dermatology comes from his own personal struggles with acne and psoriasis. He has participated as a co-investigator in multiple psoriasis clinical trials and educates other providers about psoriasis and biologic medications as a national speaker. Matt is also passionate about helping patients reach their aesthetic goals and has over a decade of experience in a wide variety of cutaneous laser modalities, cosmetic injectables, and other aesthetic procedures.

Matt resides near Sallisaw, OK and is a member of Landmark Missionary Baptist Church. Outside of work, Matt enjoys riding horses, hunting, and spending time out in the country. He also supports medical mission work, speaks at local high schools to promote health care careers, and is a member of the AAPA and SDPA.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor with special training in diseases of the skin, hair, and nails. At The Dermatology Center Dr. Craig Stites is a board certified expert in diagnosing and treating skin, hair, and nail problems including skin cancer, actinic keratoses, acne, eczema, warts, psoriasis and various rashes. We also focus on a variety of cosmetic products and treatments to revitalize, restore and protect the skin. We concentrate on the prevention, detection, and treatment of all types of skin cancer.

We are happy to announce that Matthew Patton, PA-C is now part of The Dermatology Center team! He brings 8 years of dermatology experience along with compassionate care to the river valley.

What is a Physician Assistant?

You may have noticed when you go to a doctor’s office that you may not always be scheduled with a doctor, but rather a physician assistant. A physician assistant (PA) is an advanced practice provider that can see patients independently, diagnose medical problems, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and perform surgery and cosmetic procedures similar to what physician does. However, a physician assistant practices under the supervision of a doctor. Therefore, a physician assistant will practice medicine very similar to their supervising physician and may also ask for assistance with complicated cases ensuring a continued high standard of medical care. Physician assistants are trained under a similar medical model as a physician and have been practicing in the United States since 1967. After graduating from a physician assistant medical program, PAs take a national board exam through the NCCPA to maintain their certification. Physician assistants play an important role in increasing access to high quality medical care by decreasing the amount of time it takes to get an appointment and allowing better management of both acute and chronic conditions.