Young Physician Spotlight: An Interview with Dr. Carolyn Hardin

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An Interview with Carolyn Hardin, DO, FAAD, FACMS

Mohs Surgeon and Dermatologist
Central Dermatology Center

Interviewed by Brianna Olamiju, MD; Amaris Geisler, MD; and Sarah Woodside, MD


1.) How did you become involved in the WDS and what benefits do you think WDS membership provides for residents/young physicians?

I first became involved in the WDS as a resident when I learned of the mentorship opportunities that are available. The mentorship programs and networking that the WDS offers are both very valuable. I have enjoyed attending events and meeting with other women dermatologists at all stages of their careers.

2.) Are you in private practice or academics? At what point did you decide that you wanted to do private practice versus academics?

I worked simultaneously in a military academic program full-time and a private practice part-time for about four years. But after recently separating from the Army, I am now in full-time private practice. Due to being a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, the Army assigned me to an academic position, and it was a great fit. I truly enjoyed teaching and mentoring. I also appreciated the variety in my day-to-day activities, bouncing between my own Mohs cases, supervising in the general dermatology clinic or surgeries, and attending lectures. There was also comfort in a steady salary. I chose to enter a private group practice so that I could be close to my family, completely focus on Mohs surgery, and maximize my earning potential. However, I could potentially see myself returning to academics later in my career when I’m ready not to have to focus so much on my individual productivity and get formally involved in teaching again.

3.) Advice to young physicians regarding leadership?

Fiercely guard your autonomy. You are your own best advocate and decision-maker; delegating some decisions may cost you financially and professionally. Learn how to do things that intimidate you or that you don’t fully understand. Two books that exemplified this for me were “Machiavelli for Women” (talks about navigating the workplace as a woman/mother, as well as strategies for negotiation and career advancement) and “The White Coat Investor” (discusses budgeting, investing, and appropriate types of insurance to consider).

4.) Who were/are your mentors?

I have had a number of wonderful mentors who have been instrumental at different stages in my career. Those who encouraged me to pursue medicine: Drs. John Ross, Robert Isaacs, Isaac Karikari, and Shahid Nimjee. Those who encouraged me to pursue Mohs surgery fellowship: Drs. Jim Neiner and Wendi Wohltmann. I also have an awe-inspiring fellowship program director: Dr. Marta Van Beek. 

5.) What are you working on now?

I’m focusing on team-building with the group of medical assistants and nurses that I am now working with at the private practice I just joined. Several of the medical assistants are applying for medical or physician assistant school, so I’m still getting to do some teaching.

6.) Do you have advice to young physicians on achieving work/life balance?

Learn some creative and polite ways to say no. One I like is, “My plate is as full as I would like for right now.” Ideally, you can save your bandwidth for projects and opportunities that really resonate with you.

Learn some basic AI functions and prompts. Don’t waste your own valuable time on tasks that can be automated. I use a “Chat and Ask AI” app on my phone quite a bit for tasks like drafting emails. I use “Magical” text expander on my laptop and the “Text Replacement” function on my iPad for typing out repetitive or lengthy phrases that I use often, particularly for electronic medical record documentation.

7.) What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy weight training; I love my Tonal, so I can get a full workout from home. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while commuting or going for a walk. Designing and building furniture and painting are my two creative outlets. I also love spending quality time with my two sons.

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