Women's Dermatologic Society

  From Dr. Catherine Tchanqué-Fossuo: Mental wellness and physical wellness are two very intertwined, dynamic concepts that need to be balanced. In order to achieve a decent equilibrium, it is important to develop healthy habits, and make healthy choices. It means getting quality sleep, nutrients and exercise, which help to reduce stress. It also involves strong family, social and community relationships, which contribute to building healthy support systems. In addition, one should find ways to unwind, which might not always be easy in our busy world, but this could start with simple steps, like writing down ideas for ways to relax. Finally, being aware of oneself, being mindful, and practicing gratitude. Download a PDF Version

  By Cather McKay MD, FAAD The past year brought many exciting advances in the field of dermatology. Below is a summary to help you continue providing up-to-date care for your patients. Psoriasis Topical options for psoriasis expanded this year to include tapinarof cream (Vtama), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor–modulating agent, and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast cream (Zoryve). Additional indications for both are expected in the future. The approval of oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor deucravacitinib was welcomed in September, with trials in psoriatic arthritis ongoing 1 . IL-36 inhibitor spesolimab was also approved in September for generalized pustular psoriasis 2 . Risankizumab (Skyrizi) gained indications for psoriatic arthritis and Crohn’s disease this year. Apremilast (Otezla) is now indicated for all severities of psoriasis as of late 2021 and is in trials for palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) 3 . Guidelines for psoriatic arthritis were publi...

Things I Wish I Had Have Done Differently at My First Job   Advocate for yourself - Don’t be afraid to be firm in your requests in contract negotiation, for instance a signing bonus or payment structure. - Make sure maternity leave or family leave policies are clear. Don’t be afraid to ask for more time than what is originally offered. - Be firm with your support staff regarding boundaries and tasks, which can be even more challenging if you stayed where you completed residency. - Maintain connections with mentors and groups like the WDS who may be able to provide resources for practice management or avenues to hone or learn new skills to implement in the clinic. Consider the practical “nuts and bolts” of the job - Review your clinic schedule templates with young physician colleagues before starting. Build in “buffer slots” or longer visit times in the beginning to prevent yourself from falling far behind in the clinic. - Don’t overextend yourself with clinic hours. Administrative ...

WDS SERVICE SPOTLIGHT What is our impact? Feedback from our service event attendees!   Over the past year the Woman’s Dermatologic Society organized fifty-five service events. These included forty-two Transforming Interconnecting Program Project (TIPP), nine Coast-2-Coast, and four Play Safe in the Sun events. These events took place across the nation including the following locations: WDS’s Play Safe in the Sun and Coast-2-Coast events focus on sun safety and skin cancer prevention whereas TIPP events cover a variety of educational topics including skincare basics, nutrition, hygiene, self-care, social & interview skills, pregnancy & newborn skincare, study skills, how to be drugstore savvy, self-treating, teenage acne, and hair & scalp basics. The Transforming Interconnecting Project Program (TIPP): Total Women's Health Via the Dermatology Gateway events take place at woman’s shelters with a primary aim to “lift up women in need.” The mission statement exp...

  Dr. Gabriella Vasile is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship trained Mohs Surgeon. She currently practices at Goodman Dermatology in Georgia.   Interviewed by Neha Chandan MD, MPH, PGY3 Dermatology Resident   1.)       How did you become involved in the WDS and what benefits do you think WDS membership provides for residents/young physicians?   I initially became a part of WDS as a resident. Many of my peers were involved and it sounded like a great community to be a part of. It provided me with so many resources as I was going through training, and has been especially helpful for career development. I am currently a member of the social media committee for WDS and love helping to bust myths and put scientific facts out there for the general public.   One of the best parts of WDS is that it offers residents and young physicians the ability to connect with peers and colleagues within the derm com...

  By Dr. Sara Hylwa November begins the transition to the end of the year. Especially for those of us living in northern locales, this transition is felt not only by the march along the calendar, but viscerally as a change in the season: the verdant exuberance of summer has come to an end, even nature’s autumnal color display has succumbed to the inevitable and withered away. While this can feel bleak, November is the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving – a time for reflection, gathering, and (as the name implies), gratitude, gratefulness, and thankfulness. Gratitude can be a difficult emotion to conjure up. Many of us are burnt out – as are the colleagues and staff that we work alongside. All that has occurred in the last few years can be unnerving even just to think about. However, experts tell us that it is in times like these when emotions feel unbalanced that focusing on gratitude can be the most helpful. Indeed, while we don’t have to be thankful for everything that comes ou...

  By the WDS Practice Advisory Committee  From Dr. Mona Sadeghpour: I am part of a dual physician career household; and juggling house and work responsibilities is a daily challenge. The advice that was given to me during my baby-shower was "hire as much help as you can afford." But sometimes the help you hire ends up not working out. Remaining flexible has been the key to success in our household. When we had to suddenly let our nanny go without advanced planning, we found ourselves without childcare when both of us had to work full time. Thankfully, we were able to transition to a full-time daycare within a couple days (by cold-calling all daycares in the area) where our son has since been wonderfully taken care of since. Children get sick (often), nannies don't work out (sometimes), and life still goes on. Remaining flexible and aiming at over communication with your partner, so you can divide and conquer, is key. And for everything else: "hire as much help as you...