Alecia’s story: A journey of advocacy and healing

For Alecia Parms, her father’s battle with melanoma inspired a deep passion for helping others. What began as a personal loss has grown into a journey of hope, healing, and advocacy. Today, as a Certified Medical Assistant at the AdventHealth Daniel Boone Clinic, Alecia channels her experience into caring for patients, raising awareness about the importance of skin health, and celebrating the power of accessible, compassionate care. Her path to healthcare—and her commitment to advocacy—began with her father’s story.

My name is Alecia Parms, and I’m from Williamsburg, Kentucky. I recently joined the team at the Daniel Boone Clinic  as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). I’ve been in this field for nearly 10 years, and my journey began with a deep personal experience.

In 2016, my father was diagnosed with melanoma. It started with a mole on his back. At the time, dermatology services were hard to find in our area. He had to travel to Louisville to get a biopsy, which confirmed it was malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, my father passed away that same year. The lack of care nearby, financial limitations, and the difficulty of traveling for treatment made it hard for him to get the help he needed.

That experience shaped my path. It inspired me to become a caregiver and advocate for others. I now make sure to get annual skin checks, and I do the same for my son. We’re both on Medicaid, and finding providers who accept it has been a challenge.

For years, I received excellent care at UK HealthCare. When my provider left, I had to find a new one. I went to another clinic in Lexington, but after missing a couple of appointments due to a family illness, they removed me from the practice without giving me a chance to explain.

Then I learned that AdventHealth had opened a dermatology office that accepts Medicaid. I scheduled an appointment and met Alison. She is kind, thorough, and truly listens. I am so grateful for her care and for AdventHealth’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to everyone.

I’ve been seeing Alison for about two months now, and I couldn’t be happier. Because of my father’s experience, I take skin health seriously. As a caregiver, I advocate not only for myself and my family, but also for my patients.

I want people to know that insurance, including Medicaid, covers annual skin checks. You can get one every year, and it’s important. I was due for mine at the beginning of August, and it only took about three weeks to get in with Alison. I had called clinics in Louisville and Lexington, but none of them would take Medicaid. AdventHealth did, and that made all the difference. To connect with our dermatology team, call Call606-598-4532 or visit adventhealthmanchester.com for more information and appointment scheduling.