Meet Our Staff

Dr. Bryan Sands is a Board-Certified Dermatologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails. He received his medical degree from Des Moines University College of Health Sciences. Dr. Bryan Sands completed his internship and Dermatology residency at Dallas-Fort Worth Medical Center in Grand Prairie in Texas and received his Board Certification in Dermatology in 1997. At that time, he joined his father, Dr. Martin Sands, in private practice at Dermatology Associates. His main interests are in general medical and surgical Dermatology.  

American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology

Angela Buttjer joined Dermatology Associates in 2002 after obtaining her degree from the Des Moines University, College of Health Sciences, as a Board-Certified Physician Assistant specializing in full body skin exams and the diagnosis, management and treatment of all dermatological patient care needs. Angela believes an important part of patient care is making her patients feel comfortable while building a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. A patient's concerns are a top priority and she takes time to listen and educate her patients on their condition and treatment plan.

In 2011 she achieved the highest honor available from the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, the SDPA Diplomat Status recognition.

Board certification, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, PA-C

Annette Geary, Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, joined Dermatology Associates in 2005. Her previous experience included working as a Critical Care RN and as an ENT Nurse Practitioner. She gained much of her dermatology education and training working side-by-side with our Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr Bryan Sands in the early months of her time here. Although Annette is skilled in the diagnosing and treatment from simple to complex dermatology concerns, she has a specific passion and history in the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis using a wide variety of treatments including the incorporation of biologic medications and UVB light therapy. Annette devotes the necessary time to personalize treatment plans to include patient education, which is foremost in her approach to excellence in patient care no matter the condition.

Wendy Chapin, Board-Certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, joined Dermatology Associates in 2014. She brought with her a wide variety of educational and practice background experiences including several years as an RN, a nursing teaching faculty member and as a family nurse practitioner. After completing a long-term, wide-ranging Dermatology training and education program with Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Bryan Sands, Wendy sees patients of all ages in our office and with a full array of skin conditions. Her professional areas of interest include early skin cancer detection and treatment, as well as treatments of rosacea, eczema, acne, psoriasis, warts, rashes and medical dermatology.

 Board Certified, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, NP-C

Rhian Gronewold, Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, joined Dermatology Associates in 2016. Her previous experience in the medical field includes working as an emergency room RN, and as a Nurse Practitioner in both urgent care and family medical practices before our office. Rhian trained alongside our Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Bryan Sands for a year-long, in-depth Dermatology education and training period. She currently sees patients of all ages who have a wide range of Dermatology conditions, and she focuses on an individualized approach to diagnosing and treating all dermatology needs of the patient. As a provider, she believes in making her patient's concerns a priority and taking the time to listen and educate her patients on their condition and treatment is the optimal approach to excellent care.

Board Certified, American Nurses Credentialing Center, FNP-BC