Employee Spotlight: Michelle Roy

Dermatology & Skin Health's Certified Physician Assistant extraordinaire, Michelle Roy, leads a colorful existence. When she’s not busy working with patients and improving lives, she can be out in the wilderness (or participating in the Boston Marathon!) chewing up the trail with her feet, or upon her bicycle. Or in the kitchen wielding a torch. Look out!

Read on to learn a bit more about her.

What makes you want to head to work every day? Ever since I was a kid, my parents encouraged me to find something that I loved to do so that work would be inherently enjoyable. I am fortunate to have found that as a Dermatology PA. I have been at it for 20 years, and I continue to love it every single day.

What got you interested in medical studies/work? Medicine offers you the ability to put your thinking cap on everyday while helping people – two things I love.

You’re also a hardcore runner/cyclist. Let’s trace the roots. Why? I have always been active, (but so much of my teens and early 20s were spent studying). I love being outside. There’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than catching up on running and cycling. The woods are so beautiful and peaceful; they always help reinvigorate me and help me feel a sense of balance.

Some people enjoy a good “mud” facial from the spa. You seem to like mud on the face as a mere by-product from the trail. For you, what are the rejuvenating elements of such an experience? We should never forget what it felt like to be a kid, flying down a trail on your bike, or running in the woods; jumping logs and running through streams… life is too short.

What is your specialty when you step into the kitchen to whip up some dinner (or breakfast, or dessert…)? Food! My husband (Sweet Pete) loves his sweets, so we love desserts. Crème brûlée is one of his favorites, so I make it a lot, plus it gives me reason to break out a torch…

Favorite place to visit? I’m a big fan of Vermont and Hawaii. There are lots of mountains and hills to run and bike. What can I say? I’m an outdoors junky.

Favorite color? Red. I wear red clogs at work, and red Sidi cycling shoes when I’m on the trail.

Favorite number? Any odd race number is my favorite… I always seem to have a good race when wearing an odd number.

What do you do on a day off? Head for the woods (mountains).

Okay, back to work. You’re one of the founders of Make Big Change, a non-profit organization calling attention to the education and prevention of damaging UV rays. Makes sense as an extension of a dermatology practice. What was the catalyst that led you to act on forming this non-profit? I was sitting in my office, reviewing New Hampshire statistics on skin cancer and was overwhelmed by the fact that 40 New Hampshire residents die from Melanoma each year. I thought, ‘this is something that we can change… something we have to change.’

What have you learned through your work with Make Big Change? I have learned that a small, determined group of people can indeed Make Big Change. Each and every one of us has the power of influence.

What have you learned through your work with Dermatology and Skin Health? Each day working with each patient you have an opportunity to make an impact, teach a lesson, and maybe save a life.

“When I think of the people I work with at Dermatology & Skin Health, I think of ______________.”Positivity.

What are you most proud of in regard to Dermatology & Skin Health? Forming Make Big Change and watching it grow – making an impact in the community outside of the daily practice.