Dr. Stephen Pelton, '61

Yearbook image of Steven Pelton
Current image of Steven Pelton

Following his graduation from OACS in 1961, Steve began his pursuit to fulfill his dream of becoming a physician. He received his B.A. from Houghton College in 1965 and his strong academic performance allowed him to attend the medical school of his choice, Cornell University, where he received his M.D. degree in 1969. He then attended the University of Virginia from 1969-1970 where he was an Internal Medicine Intern and Boston University from 1970-1973 where he was a Resident in Dermatology.

After completing his residency, Steve established a solo practice of dermatology and eventually merged with a group of like-minded physicians in what is known as Barrington-Park Dermatolologic Associates, P.C., a successful dermatology practice in Rochester, N.Y., where he currently practices. Steve is currently the Attending Physician at Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital and was formerly an Attending Physician at Rochester General Hospital, St. Jerome Hospital and Consultant Veterans Administration Hospital in Canandaigua, NY. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Rochester Independent Practice Association for 14 years and is currently a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and Monroe County Medical Society.

In addition to his successful practice, Steve has spent a significant portion of his career teaching the next generation of physicians as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in Dermatology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He has also taught medical residents at the U of R for years, both in the hospital and in the office. His research has also been published in the Journal of the American Dermatology, American Journal of Medical Science and Cutis.

Steve has a strong history of giving back to his community. He has served as a Trustee at Roberts Wesleyan College, a Trustee at Northeastern Seminary, and a Trustee with Baptist Life Association. He has been a special lecturer in Dermatology at Elim Bible Institute to students preparing to go as medical workers to various missions across the world. He personally served in a short term mission to Haiti and has served as a deacon, trustee and teacher at his church where he co-taught a class with his son for years.

Steve has been married to his wife, Marilyn, for almost 48 years and credits her and the grace of God for making his accomplishments possible. Steve and his wife raised four children (Michele, Elizabeth, Stephen, Jr., Daniel) of whom he is very proud. Of great pride to him is that his daughter, Elizabeth, followed in his footsteps and became a Dermatologist and joined his group practice 10 years ago.

Steve's professional achievements, combined with his history of service to his community, make him a role model for all current and future OACS graduates.