Welcome to Valley Dermatology
Providing the Yakima Valley with the very best Mohs Surgery, Medical Dermatology, and Cosmetic Dermatology for over 20 years.
Our team
MEDICAL & CLINIC DIRECTOR
Dr. Benjamin B. Jones, MD, FAAD
Dr. Benjamin B. Jones grew up in Shelley, Idaho, home of the Russet Burbank potato. After graduating as salutatorian of his High School, he spent two years in Melbourne, Australia doing missionary work. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the discipline of History as well as graduating with University Honors, the highest academic distinction awarded to undergraduate students. While at BYU, he spent a semester abroad at Kings College, Cambridge in the United Kingdom, where he participated in research evaluating spinal cord injury repair. Also during his time at BYU, with the mentorship of Dr. James Dee Higley, Dr. Jones published research on the mother-infant relationship of Rhesus Macaque monkeys and their effects on the HPA axis.
Dr. Jones earned his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. While completing his training, he was awarded a summer research fellowship where he worked on molecular mechanisms of malignant melanoma at the Huntsman Cancer Institute under the direction of Dr. Douglas Grossman. He was later awarded funding from the National Psoriasis Foundation and became a Psoriasis Research Fellow in the department of dermatology at the University of Utah, where both Drs. Kristina Callis-Duffin and Gerald Krueger served as mentors. His work included data collection for the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR), collaboration with the National Institute of Health on work pertaining to the Human Microbiome, research on immunobullous disease affecting mucosal tissue, and development of evidence-based survey data collection.
Dr. Jones completed his Medicine Internship at Legacy Emanuel and Good Samaritan hospitals in Portland, Oregon. He completed dermatology residency at the University of Utah where he served as a chief dermatology resident his final year of training.
He cares greatly about dermatologic research and furthering evidence-based knowledge and decision making. To this end, he organized a research fundraiser while a dermatology resident which garnered over $25,000 in pledges and donations, specifically for resident research in the field of dermatology. Because of its success, the fundraiser has now become an annual event run by the dermatology residents in Utah. Dr. Jones greatly enjoys teaching and helped restructure the didactics curriculum for his fellow residents. He also continued his work on immunobullous disease and its effects on esophageal tissue, and is hopeful for the positive impact this data will have for patients.
Dr. Jones is board certified in medical and surgical dermatology from the American Board of Dermatology, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), and of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). He is incredibly excited to be the Medical Director at Valley Dermatology. Outside of work, Dr. Jones enjoys hiking, strength training, running, cooking, reading, chess, Texas Hold-Em Poker, traveling, and most of all spending time with his fiancé and his family.
Our MEDICAL team
Kirk Ecklund, MD
DERMATOLOGIST
Dr. Ecklund is a Member of American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
Dr. Kirk Ecklund, M.D. and his credentials set him apart from someone who simply claims to specialize in skin care. All of our providers have specialized training by Dr. Ecklund in the science of Dermatology.
Dr. Ecklund is a Member of American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.
Dr. Ecklund is a board certified Dermatologist specializing in Mohs surgical procedure. He is a proud graduate of the Oregon Health Science University, and Naval veteran.
His love of the outdoors has made the Yakima Valley his home for nearly 20 years.
Molly McCusker, ARNP
NURSE PRACTITIONER
Originally from the Midwest, I earned my nurse practitioner degree in Maine and am excited to practice dermatology in Washington. I aim to build trusting relationships with patients and provide compassionate care. In my free time, I enjoy running, biking, and skiing, and I'm eager to explore Washington's outdoor activities!
Melissa Nicholas, PA-C
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Melissa Nicholas, PA-C, is a dedicated and compassionate Physician Assistant with over 15 years of experience in dermatology. She is committed to providing comprehensive dermatologic care, specializing in both medical and cosmetic dermatology.
Melissa’s expertise spans the identification and treatment of various skin, hair, and nail disorders, with a strong focus on delivering personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs.
Melissa has an extensive background working in diverse dermatology settings across Texas and Washington. Her skills include performing a wide range of dermatologic procedures such as cryotherapy, biopsies, electrodessication and curettage, as well as cosmetic treatments like Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers, microneedling, and chemical peels. Her approach to patient care is rooted in her ability to listen and understand the unique concerns of each patient, ensuring they receive the highest quality care.
Melissa holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is passionate about continuing her education and staying updated on the latest advancements in dermatology to provide her patients with the best possible outcomes.
DOMINIC DePHILLIPS, PA-C
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Dominic DePhillips, PA-C, hails from Chelan, WA, and holds a Master’s in Health Services from the University of Washington. He gained experience at Columbia Valley Community Health. Dominic is a board-certified physician assistant and member of AAPA and SDPA. Outside work, he enjoys running, hiking, and exploring culinary adventures with his wife in the Yakima Valley.
Jennifer Williams, PA-C
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
Jennifer Williams is a local Physician Assistant who brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the field of dermatology with over 17 years of dedicated experience in family practice. She grew up in the Yakima Valley, living in Prosser, Harrah, and Yakima.
She attended several local schools including White Swan High School, Davis High School, and ultimately graduated from Eisenhower High School. She attended Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center (YVTECH) and completed the Medical/Science Nursing Program her senior year of high school while also attending Yakima Valley Community College doing Running start. Her interest in medicine started young and she was introduced to the Physician Assistant profession in High School. She spent after school hours volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (later known as Regional Hospital, then Astria). She participated in programs through Memorial hospital, introducing youth to medical careers. After high school she took a phlebotomy course and started work as a nursing assistant. She moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Cell/Molecular biology and minored in chemistry.
During her years in Seattle she also worked at the University of Washington Medical Center, first as a hospital assistant on the Short Stay/Procedure unit and then as a medical assistant in the Surgical Specialties clinic. Her love of procedures started there while assisting General, Vascular, and Plastic surgeons doing minor procedures including mass excisions, scar revisions, hemorrhoid banding, to name a few. After graduating from college she continued her journey to Oregon where she attended Pacific University, completing a masters degree in physician assistant studies in 2007. Jennifer moved back to her home town of Yakima to start her career as a Physician Assistant.
“The staff, including the front desk, nurse, and Doctor, were very friendly, caring, and knew exactly what and how to take care of my husband, who has a memory problem. Thank you for your concern and thoughtfulness.”
— Virginia N.