Opportunities lead to success for alumna

Dawn Sammons, D.O., didn’t set out to build a multi-state network of dermatology clinics. But when opportunity knocks, she’s never been afraid to step through the door.

When Sammons graduated from Ohio University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003, there were no dermatology practices in Athens, Ohio and there hadn’t been for over two decades. So, rather than shift paths or move away from the town she came to call home, she took matters into her own hands and opened her own practice after completing residency in 2008. 

Since then, what began as a single clinic grew into a network of 10 offices across two states, with more than two dozen providers.

“I always say it happened accidentally,” said Sammons, “but really every one of those offices opened because of opportunity—the relationships I forged throughout my career.”

Sammons’ initial aspiration was to pursue psychiatry. After earning a master’s degree in counseling, she envisioned her next step being a Ph.D. in psychology. But a conversation with a mentor shifted her trajectory. 

“She looked at me and said, ‘Just go to medical school… you get to be the one who makes the decisions,’” Sammons recalled. So, she returned to the classroom, completing the prerequisite coursework while working as a therapist, ultimately finding her way to medicine.

During that time, she worked as a therapist in Vinton County, one of the poorest counties in Ohio, often making house calls when patients lacked transportation. The experience gave her firsthand insight into the barriers many patients face in accessing care, and it continues to shape how she thinks about health care delivery today.

“Everything I’ve ever done has always been about human behavior,” said Sammons. “I’ve always been fascinated by why people do what they do.”

That perspective still shapes her work today, even in dermatology, where she ultimately found her fit.

“A lot of what I do is trying to convince people to actually follow through or choose treatment plans that help them overcome some of their setbacks and then find ways to keep them following the best path forward,” she said.

Throughout her career, Sammons also held several leadership roles in hospital administration and medical education, including serving as a residency program director at OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital. Those experiences reinforced another core philosophy which continuously guides her work: sharing knowledge and creating pathways for others.

“I’ve always wanted to try and make things easier for the next person,” she said. “Just pass it on.”

As her career expanded, so did her responsibilities. At one point, Sammons was simultaneously running multiple clinic locations, leading a residency program and serving as director of medical education, all while raising two children. 

“It was too much,” she said. “You live, and you learn. You figure it out as you go.”

Stepping back from some of those roles became a turning point, allowing her to focus on building her practice more sustainably.

That mindset has since taken on a national scale. In recent years, Sammons and her husband co-founded a network of independently owned dermatology practices, now spanning more than 900 practices and 4,500 providers. What began as a small effort to exchange ideas has grown into a major collaborative network designed to share knowledge and improve how practices operate.

“I don’t know everything, I’m happy to share the things I’ve learned,” she said, “and maybe someone else will share something I don’t know. We can all get better together.”

Now, whether mentoring trainees, speaking at conferences or finding new opportunities for collaboration, Sammons remains focused on building something that extends beyond her own career, one connection at a time.