Women's Dermatologic Society

Editorial Highlight By Shilpi Khetarpal, MD As a young physician, wife, new mother and full-time clinician, I constantly feel pulled in various directions. As much as I try to achieve work-life balance, I constantly feel torn between the two. I have always admired women who are highly accomplished in their careers while having a family. One in particular is Dr. Wilma Fowler Bergfeld, the founder and first president of WDS. I’ve known her for over a decade now and have been fortunate to know her as a colleague, mentor, teacher and friend working alongside her at the Cleveland Clinic. Several of her professional accomplishments include first female president of the AAD, founder of the WPSA, past presidents of the North American Hair Research Society (NAHRS) and American Society of Dermatopathology. She has received honors and the highest awards from virtually every society she’s been involved with. Not only has she been an incredible leader, she has led by example and inspired l...

By Shari Lipner, MD, PhD  The WDS Forum took place January 31-February 2, 2020 in Scottsdale Arizona. The session started with a focus on finding joy in our work and our personal lives with the keynote lecture by Sandra Ellison: “Building Resilience: A Key to Unlocking Physician Health & Happiness.” Other highlights included women’s health topics, including breast cancer screening, healthy aging, nutrition and supplements, and integrative medicine, an update on the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, a poster session, and a service project. The session concluded with “30 Pearls in 30 minutes,” by WDS Board of Directors and leadership, as well as, an open-mic portion for participants. There was a wealth of pearls including: Be thankful for what you have. Volunteer. Options include skin cancer screenings, WDS events, and AAD events. Action is the antidote to anxiety. Saying yes when you need to say no causes burnout. Make a list of things you don’t want ...

Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, FAAD @drmaraweinstein “Doors open when you least expect them to.” Focus: Board-Certified Dermatologist, Fellowship Trained Cosmetic and Laser Surgeon Location: Rochester, New York Education:  Fellowship - SkinCare Physicians; Residency - Cleveland Clinic Foundation; MD - Northeast Ohio Medical University; BA Psychology - Princeton University Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, FAAD is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and serves as the Director of Cosmetics and Laser Surgery. Dr. Weinstein has been invited to present at national professional meetings, published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored chapters in dermatologic textbooks including Surgery of the Skin, Treatment of Traumatic and Burn Scars and Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. How did you become involved in the WDS and what benefits do you think WDS membership provides for residents/young physicians? I’ve b...