Young Physician Spotlight: Kelly MacArthur, MD

By Dr. Christine N. Schafer

Kelly MacArthur, MD is an Associate Professor at Washington University School of Medicine.

1. How did you become involved in the WDS and what benefits do you think WDS membership provides for residents/young physicians?
   
   I learned of WDS from colleagues who are active members. I respect the organization’s mission to help members to achieve their professional potential.  WDS provides an invaluable support for early career physicians with a large body of active members who put this mission to action.
   
   
   
   
2. How did you decide on a career in Mohs surgery? What is your favorite part about being a Mohs surgeon?
   
   Cancer affected my family when I was young, so I was naturally drawn to oncology when I started medical school. During medical school, I was fascinated by surgical oncology and became excited by translational oncology during my T32 NIH oncology training grant research year.
   
   Mohs surgery combines my love for surgery, oncology, and translational medicine.  I love my patients and enjoy that our procedures are under local anesthesia, as our conversations are the highlights of my days. The work is fascinating and keeps you on your toes – no two tumors are alike, just as no two patients are alike. I enjoy educating patients on skin cancer and treatment options, as well as reconstruction approaches. I am a firm believer in the power of shared decision making and the need for patients to understand and trust the care provided to them.  
   
   
   
3. At what point did you decide that you wanted to do academics versus private practice?  
   
   I feel very fortunate to have received incredible training during my residency at Hopkins and Mohs fellowship at Penn. My mentors went above and beyond in training me and in helping me to achieve my full potential. Since early in my residency, I have felt the desire to give back and train the next generation of dermatologists and Mohs surgeons to give them some of the same educational opportunities I was afforded during my training. I am also excited by clinical and translational research. Pursuing a career in academics felt very natural to me.
   
   
   
4. Advice to young physicians regarding leadership?
   
   Get involved with opportunities and organizations that speak to your passions. Identify senior leaders who can serve as your role models.  
   
   
   
5. Who were/are your mentors?
   
   I consider myself so fortunate to have had remarkable mentors throughout my undergraduate, medical school, residency, and fellowship. 
   
   In particular, I cannot possibly express enough appreciation to the Mohs surgeons who mentored me during fellowship. I am blessed to have learned from truly exceptional mentors, especially Christopher Miller, my fellowship director, as well as Joseph Sobanko, Thuzar Shin, Jeremy Etzkorn, and Nicole Howe. I will always be grateful to them for the extraordinary gift they have given me.
   
   
   
6. What are you working on now? What future goals do you have?
   
   I spend 80% of my work week in Mohs clinic and 20% focused on research endeavors.  I am currently finishing up a study I began in fellowship. My main research interest is on multi-disciplinary oncology studies. 
   
   My future goal is to become the best surgeon, researcher, and educator that I can be.
   
   
   
7. Do you have advice to young physicians on achieving work/life balance?
   
   Find a career that is truly your passion so that your job does not feel like work. 
   
   
   
8. What do you like to do in your free time?
   
   I love spending time with my husband Brian and my family. Brian and I enjoy exercising together, traveling, and exploring the St. Louis area.