Women's Dermatologic Society

Career Corner: Following an Academic Career Path Special thanks to Dr. Marilyn Wickenheiser for providing insight into following an academic career path. Dr. Wickenheiser serves as the Staff Physician and Associate Program Director at Cleveland Clinic Department of Dermatology. Since medical school, I have focused on medical education and teaching. During my dermatology residency, I served as the chief resident. In this role, I was tasked with developing the curriculum, mentoring fellow residents, and acting as a liaison between residents and faculty. Following graduation, I pursued opportunities to work with residents and medical students in an academic setting. After practicing clinically and serving as teaching faculty for several years, I assumed the role of Associate Program Director for my residency. My experiences with mentors and teachers have guided my approach. Additionally, witnessing the development of medical students and residents has been fulfilling. I...

Tips for Applying to the Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship Special thanks to Drs. Marcia Hogeling and Jennifer Huang for providing tips on how to best prepare and apply for a pediatric dermatology fellowship! Dr. Hogeling serves as the Director of Pediatric Dermatology at UCLA. Dr. Huang serves as the Director of Pediatric Oncodermatology and Program Director of the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Program.    1. What steps should applicants take if they are interested in a pediatric dermatology fellowship? Hogeling – Join Pediatric Dermatology organizations like the Society for Pediatric Dermatology and PeDRA. This is a great way to meet other Pediatric Dermatologists and they both have mentorship programs. Meet with a Pediatric Dermatologist in your residency program or affiliated with your residency program as a mentor to discuss your career goals. Consider having your resident continuity clinic in Pediatric Dermatology. Huang - There are currently 40 AC...

Tips for Applying to Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship Special thanks to Dr. Mary L. Stevenson and Dr. Alyx Rosen Aigen for providing tips and guidance on the best way to prepare and apply for a Mohs fellowship! Dr. Stevenson serves as the Associate Director of the Mohs Fellowship Program at NYU. Dr. Aigen is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami. 1.  How can a resident best demonstrate their interest in Mohs fellowship? Practice good surgical skills. Study and understand the Mohs technique, types of reconstruction, anatomy and pathology as well as types of tumors. Get involved in Mohs research. Read journal articles to stay up to date on emerging research. Speak with Mohs faculty at your department to express interest. Attend surgical meetings, including the annual ACMS and ASDS meeting. Get connected and meet program directors from other programs. Attend Mohs monthly virtual journal club. Build a portfol...

  Applying for Dermatopathology Fellowship: Tips from 3 Fellowship Directors Special thanks to Drs. Emily Chu, Tammie Ferringer, and Michi Shinohara for providing tips, resources, and guidance on the best way to prepare and apply for a dermatopathology fellowship! Drs. Chu, Ferringer, and Shinohara currently serve as dermatopathology fellowship directors at the University of Pennsylvania, Geisenger Medical Center, and the University of Washington, respectively.   

  By the WDS Practice Advisory Committee     From Dr. Lori Fiessinger:   The Business of Dermatology book edited by Drs. Jeffrey Dover and Kavita Mariwalla is an excellent place to start if you are considering opening your own practice and want to get a sense for what the process will entail before you commit to anything.        From Dr. Una Miniter:   -Network! Reach out to mentors, colleagues, national organizations for support, collaboration, possibly even a way to take over a retiring dermatologist’s practice.   -Hire a few multitalented staff members who share similar motivations of delivering excellent dermatologic care in a kind, welcoming environment.     From Dr. Shawna Flanagan: When starting your own practice it is tempting to sign up with every insurance plan you can, but be wary! You should really see what percentage of Medicare you are accepting as you don’t want to build a busy practice of very poor payi...