How long have you been in dermatology and what’s your favorite thing about it?
I've been in dermatology for 37 years and I love the sheer variety of diagnoses, procedures, and connections to almost all other specialties.
Why did you become a dermatology PA?
I became a dermatology PA because, as a primary care provider fresh out of school, I was so terrible at derm that I was embarrassed. So, I bought a derm book and started studying, and the more I learned, the more I saw on my patients, which spurred me on to learn even more derm. Over time, I discovered I had the requisite gifts to be skilled at derm: a near-photographic memory, good with languages (which meant derm terminology was easy), good with trivia, and with better than average fine motor skills with my hands. Coming out of the lab in those days meant one had to have a good sense of staying on time.
What advice would you give to a new Dermatology PA?
Dive in, live it, drink it, read about it, see the patients, ask questions, attend conferences. I actually tell them this: if you want to become a derm PA, do what derm PAs do. Singers sing players play, derm PAs derm.
What’s your dermatology passion?
Seeing a difficult diagnosis come together. Connecting the dots, watching and hearing the thing come together and go “clunk” when you realize you got it right, all while realizing that these are skills few have.
What’s your favorite thing to do? Or what do you do in your spare time?
I write derm articles – about 8 – 10 a month, based on cases I’ve seen, and send them to publishers along with my photos. I do fresh research on each new case, which keeps me sharp and up to date. I also sing Jazz in a local jazz hall once a week, which requires a bit of time in getting ready.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
The department of dermatology in Vienna where the bright lights of 19th-century dermatology practiced (Unna, Kaposi, Von Hebra, et al), seeing their monocular microscopes, tiny offices, moulages, etc. It was breathtaking.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Rodeo clown (no kidding!)
