Young Physician Spotlight - Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc
Dr. Elbuluk’s clinical and
research interests include general and cosmetic dermatology, with a special
interest in ethnic skin and pigmentary disorders including vitiligo, melasma,
and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dr. Elbuluk is a Diplomate of the
American Academy of Dermatology and holds professional memberships with the
American Academy of Dermatology, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and the Skin
of Color Society.
How did you become interested in dermatology
and what led you to where you are now?
I had an early fascination with dermatology and the visual
nature of the field going into medical school. This was solidified after taking
our second year dermatology course. I then had the opportunity to shadow Dr.
Lorna Thomas in Detroit and had a wonderful broad exposure to dermatology and a
diverse array of patients with different pathologies in her clinic. I decided
after my third year of medical school, to gain more experience on the research
side of dermatology. I spent a year doing an NIH T32 award program at the
University of Michigan where I obtained a Master of Science in Clinical
Research and received mentorship for my clinical and translational research
from Dr. Sewon Kang. By the end of that year, I'd had experience on both the
clinical and research sides of dermatology and knew it was the perfect fit for
me. Those experiences also helped solidify my interested in pigmentary
disorders and ethnic skin, which I specialize in now. I went on to do my
residency at Johns Hopkins where I continued my research in these areas. After
residency, I spent a year at the University of Pennsylvania with Dr. Bill
James doing the Clinician Educator fellowship. This year better prepared me for
a career in academia by allowing me to further develop my clinical and research
niche as well as preparing me for how to best teach and mentor
residents and medical students.
What are you working on now?
I currently am an assistant professor of dermatology. I've
spent the last four years at NYU and will be moving this summer to start the
next chapter of my career at USC. I am currently working on several research
projects and papers on vitiligo, skin of color conditions, and procedural
dermatology in ethnic skin. I am also active with several organizations. I just
finished my term as chair of the WDS Young Physicians Committee and am now
serving on the new WDS Integrative Task force committee as well as continuing
my term on the Media Committee. Additionally I am on the board of the Skin of
Color society where I chair the Research committee, and I also serve on the
AAD's Young Physicians Committee.
What advice do you have for residents and young career
dermatologists who want to become more active in reaching the underserved
populations?
I'm very passionate about diversity and helping the
underserved. I have spent the last few years at NYU as the Diversity Ambassador
for the Department and as NYU's Diversity Champion for the AAD's Diversity
Task Force. Through these programs, I've had the opportunity to create many great
initiatives to help increase diversity in medical schools and dermatology
residencies. I'm a strong believer that this process starts early and for that
reason have worked on pipeline volunteer programs that start as early
as elementary, middle, and high school, where we either go out to the
schools or have them come visit us at the hospital and talk to them about
career options in medicine and how to pursue this path if interested. I think
for anyone interested in doing this kind of work, the AAD Diversity Task Force
and the Skin of Color Society both offer many resources on programming and how
to get started. For those interested, forming a committee at one's program can
help create an organized effort for various programming that helps underserved
populations. Lastly, finding a mentor who is doing similar work can also be a
tremendous resource. One of my mentors, Dr. Amit Pandya, has been very
supportive and helpful in this realm.
How did you decide to pursue a career in
academics vs. private practice? Can you speak to the benefits and challenges
you face as an academician?
I was fortunate to have exposure to both academics and
private practice while I was a medical student. I saw advantages to both but
felt for me, I wanted to try having a career in academia. I was attracted to
the variety of roles one could have in an academic institution, the ability to
do a mix of clinic, research, teaching, and administration, and the opportunity
to be part of an institution where I could collaborate with others in and out
of my department. I also like the ability to work with medical students and
residents. With that said, I have mentors in private practice who have academic
affiliations and who have been able to find a similar balance. I think one has
to know their personality and try out what they think is the best fit for them.
Fortunately, we have lots of options in dermatology to practice in different
settings and
to find the right combination of settings in which we can thrive and be happiest.
to find the right combination of settings in which we can thrive and be happiest.
What advice can you give young physicians on
achieving a work-life balance?
This
is a challenge that I feel I'm always working on especially after becoming a
mother. One thing I try doing is putting aside blocks of time for doing things.
I try to compartmentalize as much as I can, so that when I'm at work, I
try to be as efficient and productive as possible during the time I have there
and when I'm at home, I try to be fully present and engaged with my family and
not do work related things. I think having good help also makes a big
difference and buying yourself time by outsourcing things that you don't feel
are a good use of your time.
What do you do in your free time?
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy the
outdoors, photography, reading, and traveling.
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