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Patient and physician stories


Learn how board-certified dermatologists have helped patients with serious skin disease and collaborated with other doctors to enhance patient care.

Anna Riley, SkinSerious patient story
Treating a child with severe genetic skin disorder

Dermatologist’s care helps child walk again. (Anna Riley, patient; Britt Craiglow, MD, FAAD)

Zeena Y. Nawas MD, FAAD and Muneeza Muhammad, MD, FAAD
Dermatologists provide lifesaving care at 10,000 feet

Two dermatologists treat a man’s heart attack during a flight. (Zeena Y. Nawas MD, FAAD and Muneeza Muhammad, MD, FAAD)

Casen Buswell
Providing relief to a child with rare blood vessel growth

A dermatologist helps a young boy get relief from a painful blood vessel condition. (Casen Buswell, patient; John Browning, MD, FAAD, FAAP)

SkinSerious patient story, Roger Richards
A dermatology appointment leads to life-saving action

A routine dermatology appointment leads to unexpected life-saving cardiovascular care. (Roger Richards, patient; Christopher Bengson, MD, MHS, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story, Vincent Boles
Battling melanoma on the homefront

Army veteran receives vital support from fellow soldier, a board-certified dermatologist. (Vincent Boles, patient; Jerry Miller, MD, FAAD)

Kelley Pagliai Redbord, MD
Protecting kids from skin cancer with sunscreen in schools

A dermatologist advocates for sunscreen access in public schools. (Kelley Pagliai Redbord, MD; Britton Bitterman, parent)

SkinSerious logo
Dermatologic care is critical as patients age

A timely surgery in a dermatologist’s office removes a patient’s skin cancer. (Karen Kilianek, patient; Terrence A. Cronin, Jr., MD, FAAD)

Matthew Riccardi, SkinSerious patient story
Dermatologists pioneer cutting-edge treatments

Dermatologists are at the forefront of innovative therapies that help patients like Matthew address health problems, transforming their lives. (Matthew Riccardi, patient; Brett King, MD, PhD, FAAD)

Kenneth Katz, MD
Ensuring effectiveness, safety of new skin therapies

A dermatologist leads an FDA advisory committee’s innovation and safety review for new therapies. (Kenneth Katz, MD, MSc, MSCE, FAAD; Ken Tomecki, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious - Angela Weeks
Removing barriers to necessary treatment

A dermatologist overcomes prior authorization setbacks to ensure a patient with severe eczema has the medication she needs. (Angela Weeks, patient; Scott Lim, DO, FAOCD, FAAD)

Shawn Bruton, SkinSerious patient story
When cancer treatment leads to vitiligo

A dermatology-oncology collaboration helped a patient avoid choosing between skin disease and cancer treatment. (Shawn Bruton, patient; Anisha Patel, MD, FAAD)

Stephanie Nicholl, SkinSerious patient story
Harmful, long-term effects of indoor tanning

Dermatologists diagnose and treat a patient’s melanoma after years of tanning bed use as a teen. (Stephanie Nicholl, patient; Shannon C. Trotter, DO, FAOCD, FAAD)

Alana Nicholas, SkinSerious patient
Bridging the digital divide during the pandemic and beyond

Innovative telehealth—including text messaging and video appointments—helps a patient with severe acne access safe, effective care. (Alana Nicholas, patient; Shoshana Marmon, MD, PhD, FAAD)

Amy J. Derick, MD, FAAD
Improving vaccination access for health care workers

Dermatologists deploy COVID-19 vaccines to school nurses and other health care professionals in Illinois and Massachusetts. (Amy J. Derick, MD, FAAD; Louis Kuchnir, MD, FAAD)

Joshua E. Lane, MD
Leading a rural hospital’s COVID-19 response

A Georgia dermatologist’s National Guard service brings him to the pandemic’s front lines. (Joshua E. Lane, MD, MBA, FAAD; Colonel Louis Perino, MD, PhD, FACEP, State Air Surgeon, Georgia Air National Guard)

Yvonne Basil, SkinSerious stories patient
Stopping skin cancer spread in the nick of time

Correcting common misconceptions about skin cancer and skin of color help a patient take control of her health and support others. (Yvonne Basil, patient; Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious story - Julie Wright, patient
Early diagnosis catches scarring condition

A dermatologist’s quick action helps a patient with alopecia regain her confidence. (Julie Wright, patient; Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, FAAD)

Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD
Helping vulnerable communities access COVID-19 tests

A dermatologist launches a COVID-19 testing site in a historically underserved area of her city. (Ginette Okoye, MD, FAAD; Mark S. Johnson, MD, MPH)

Anthony Schultz, SkinSerious patient
Dermatologist collaborates to treat transplant patient

Needing to protect a patient’s recently transplanted kidney while treating his melanoma, a multidisciplinary care team saves his life. (Anthony Schultz, patient; Jennifer Choi, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious story Stacey Creed
Special lights keep a veteran safe during surgery

An interdisciplinary team makes organ transplant surgery safe for a patient with erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare photosensitivity condition. (Stacey Creed, patient; Henry Lim, MD, FAAD)

Sacharitha Bowers, MD, FAAD
Addressing health disparities during COVID-19

A dermatologist applies her own life experiences to address health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. (Sacharitha Bowers, MD, FAAD; Wendi Wills El-Amin, MD)

Dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD with patient, Bridger Walker.
Dermatologists treat young dog bite victim

After six-year-old Bridger Walker suffered severe bites while protecting his younger sister from a dog attack, dermatologists collaborate to provide life-changing scar treatment. (Bridger Walker, patient; Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD)

Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, DTM&H, FAAD
Creating an international dermatology COVID-19 registry

As new symptoms of COVID-19 came to light, dermatologists collaborated to create a registry to track the dermatological manifestations of the virus. (Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, DTM&H, FAAD; Ingrid V. Bassett, MD, MPH)

Kimberly Meyer-Gamet and her family
The physical and emotional demands of a lifelong condition

A dermatologist collaborates with other specialists to manage Kimberly’s chronic hidradenitis suppurativa, a rare and debilitating disease. (Kimberly Meyer-Gamet, patient; Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, FAAD)

Linda Stein Gold, MD, FAAD
Supporting emergency care during COVID-19

A dermatologist in Detroit supports emergency department care during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Linda Stein Gold, MD, FAAD; Michael Nauss, MD, FACEP)

Haya Raef, Tufts University Medical Student
Helping people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19

A medical student and dermatologist create skin care kits to make hygiene items and self care more accessible for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Haya Raef, medical student; Jennifer Tan, MD, FAAD)

Iltefat H. Hamzavi, MD, FAAD
Applying phototherapy expertise to the COVID-19 crisis

Inspired to support the COVID-19 response, a dermatologist discovered a new way to sanitize N95 masks, keeping frontline providers safe. (Iltefat H. Hamzavi, MD, FAAD; Mayur Ramesh, MD)

SkinSerious patient story, Jennifer Bowers
Caring for an autoimmune patient during a pandemic

Telemedicine allows a dermatologist to care for a melanoma survivor with a rare autoimmune condition during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Jennifer Bowers, patient; Janet Lin, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story, Joshua Rubin
Finding support for severe psoriasis

A dermatologist helps a patient with psoriasis manage his chronic condition–and navigate a complex insurance process known as step therapy. (Joshua Rubin, patient; Larry Green, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious, Carolyn Senger, MD, MPH
Innovation ensures seamless care experience

Dermatologists at a safety net hospital use telemedicine and strong cross-specialty collaboration to provide underserved patients with specialty care. (Carolyn Senger, MD, MPH; Toby Maurer, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious dermatologist, Hon Pak, MD, FAAD, MBA
The birth of U.S. military teledermatology

Dermatologists launch the country’s first robust telemedicine project during their years in the U.S. Army. (Hon Pak, MD, FAAD, MBA; Darryl Hodson, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious, Tara Hood, FNP-BC
Using teledermatology to treat those who are incarcerated

A unique telemedicine collaboration in Connecticut is improving the health and well-being of women who are incarcerated (Tara Hood, FNP-BC; Jun Lu, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story, Kamyrn Wilcox
Helping a young girl thrive

A dermatologist treats a tricky case of vitiligo, helping his patient regain her confidence. (Kamyrn Wilcox, patient; Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story, Mike Murphy
Cross-specialty team treats rare cancer

A dermatologist and oncologist collaborate to treat Sézary syndrome, a rare form of lymphoma, after a patient endured years of intense pain. (Mike Murphy, patient; Lindsay Strowd, MD, FAAD; Zanetta Lamar, MD)

SkinSerious patient story, Richard Danzer
A dermatologist uncovers stage IV lung cancer

A patient visits his dermatologist for a cyst and leaves with a lung cancer diagnosis. (Richard Danzer, patient; Brittany Smirnov, DO, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story, Abby Evans
Growing up with dry, scaly skin

Born with a rare condition called lamellar ichthyosis, a young woman lives a normal life with support from her lifelong dermatologist, while advocating for herself and others. (Abby Evans, patient; Bonnie S. Epstein, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious patient story Victoria Perez
Specialties collaborate on effective cancer treatment plan

A dermatologist and hematologist/oncologist keep a patient’s rare lymphoma in remission. (Victoria Perez, patient; Lindsay Ackerman, MD, FAAD; Craig B. Reeder, MD)

Jack Cooper
Supporting our veterans

A dermatologist helps a Vietnam veteran manage ongoing skin challenges—including cancer—related to Agent Orange exposure. (Jack Cooper, patient; Cyndi Yag-Howard, MD, FAAD)

SkinSerious logo
Solving a decades-old mystery

A woman dealt with persistent and debilitating skin issues for 40 years before a visit to the dermatologist leads to an allergy diagnosis that changes her life. (JoAnne, patient; Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, FAAD)

Phil Lipof
A fast diagnosis saves a life

A cross-specialty team races to save a newscaster’s life after a dermatologist diagnoses a rare, life-threatening drug reaction called Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. (Phil Lipof, patient; Steven Chen, MD, MPH, FAAD)

Marissa Terrell
Marissa's 'polka dots': Living with Sturge-Weber

A collaborative care team treats an eight-year-old for Sturge-Weber syndrome, which makes her prone to seizures and other complications. (Marissa Terrell, patient; David Goldberg, MD,FAAD, JD)

Arna Shefrin
Rare, debilitating condition treated through collaboration

A dermatologist and a hematologist work together to treat Schnitzler syndrome, a rare autoinflammatory disease. (Arna Shefrin, patient; Bernice Kwong, MD, FAAD)

David Harker
Dallas clinic provides free multidisciplinary care

Dermatologists volunteer to treat nearly 1,000 residents each year at a free clinic in Dallas. (David Harker, MD; Amit Pandya, MD, FAAD)

Donna Randall
Telederm, fast action stop melanoma before it spreads

Using telemedicine, a dermatologist diagnoses a patient’s melanoma and surgically removes it the same day. (Donna Randall, patient; Kari Lyn Martin, MD, FAAD)

Buff Farrow
Three generations of care for rare genetic disorder

A father, daughter, and grandson share pachyonychia congenita, a rare genetic condition — and the same thoughtful dermatologic care. (Buff Farrow, patient; Loretta Davis, MD, FAAD)

Keith Hamilton
Collaborating to stop an infectious disease

A dermatologist collaborates with an infectious disease specialist to treat a tricky case of leprosy. (Keith Hamilton, MD; Carrie Kovarik, MD, FAAD)

Jonathan Gionfriddo
Fragile skin, strong spirit

After gaining confidence at Camp Discovery, a young man born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa works to help others with skin disease. (Jonathan Gionfriddo, patient; Karen Wiss, MD, FAAD)

Adey Berhanu
Collaborating to improve joint and skin care

A joint rheumatology-dermatology clinic streamlines and improves patient care and physician education. (Adey Berhanu, MD, RhMSUS; Alison Ehrlich, MD, FAAD)

Josie Lopez
Finding relief for a perplexing skin condition

A young woman faced years of pain caused by swimming or showering, until two dermatologists diagnose her with aquagenic keratoderma and develop a treatment plan. (Josie Lopez, patient; Jean Pierre Galliani, MD, FAAD; Naomi Johansen, MD, FAAD)

Louella Shelton
Chronic itching triggers a hepatitis C diagnosis

A patient seeking relief for chronic itching is diagnosed with hepatitis C. (Louella Shelton, patient; Carrie Davis, MD)

Aimee Milota
Living with extreme chronic skin cancer risk

Xeroderma pigmentosum—a rare genetic condition—greatly increases Aimee’s risk of skin cancers. (Aimee Milota, patient; Sima Torabian, MD, FAAD)

Becky Strong
Finding a diagnosis and treatment for severe blistering

After 17 months of painful blisters, Becky recovers from pemphigus vulgaris and thrives. (Becky Strong, patient; Andrzej Dlugosz, MD, FAAD)

John Ahern
Annual skin cancer exam leads to leukemia diagnosis

A dermatologist discovers deep bruising during a routine skin cancer exam, leading to a leukemia diagnosis. (John Ahern, patient; David M. Paul, MD; Lindsay S. Ackerman, MD, FAAD)

Mark Albertini
Working together to provide optimal melanoma care

Medical, surgical, and radiation oncology; dermatology; and other specialties collaborate to improve skin cancer treatment. (Mark R. Albertini, MD, oncologist; Gloria Xu, MD, PhD, FAAD)

Cyrina Anthony
Cyrina finds relief for chronic boils and abscesses

Through Medicaid, a patient finds relief for hidradenitis suppurativa after years of severe, chronic abscesses and blisters. (Cyrina Anthony, patient; Haley B. Naik, MD, MHSc, FAAD)

Jennifer Huang
Collaborating to treat pediatric cancer patients

A pediatric oncologist and dermatologist team up to diagnose and treat a transplant patient experiencing sclerotic graft-versus-host disease. (Jennifer Huang, MD, FAAD; Jennifer Whangbo, MD, PhD)

Benjamin Chong
Reducing wait times

An innovative dermatology clinic significantly decreases its wait times. (Benjamin F. Chong, MD, MSCS, FAAD; Joseph Chang, MD, MBA, FACOG)

Deirdre Nero
Treating the medical and emotional effects of alopecia

A dermatologist works with other specialties to provide comprehensive care for alopecia areata. (Deirdre Nero, patient; Stacy Chimento, MD)

Susan Thornton
Supporting patients living with chronic cancer

A dermatologist and patient create a community for others living with chronic lymphoma. (Susan Thornton, patient; Stuart R. Lessin, MD, FAAD)

Carolyn Newhof
Bringing dermatology to the Mississippi Delta

A dermatologist establishes a monthly dermatology clinic to provide lifesaving care to patients in the underserved Mississippi Delta. (Carolyn Newhof, patient; Robert T. Brodell, MD, FAAD)

Hrayr Attarian
Coordinating eczema care at a multidisciplinary clinic

Specialists work together to coordinate care for patients with eczema at a multidisciplinary clinic. (Hrayr Attarian, MD, Jonathan Silverberg, MD, PhD, MPH)

Sarah Shark
Dermatology hospital consult helps Sarah avoid chemotherapy

An ICU patient’s bloodwork indicates lymphoma, but a dermatologist recognizes drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) days before chemotherapy. (Sarah Shark, patient; Steven Daveluy, MD, FAAD)

Jennifer Sariego
Treatment for patient's Crohn’s disease leads to skin ulcer

A dermatologist diagnoses a surgery patient’s ulcer as pyoderma gangrenosum and coordinates with a gastroenterologist to treat the condition. (Jennifer Sariego, patient; Misha Rosenbach, MD, FAAD)

Kate Gleason
Walk-in clinic provides residents with timely care

A dermatology clinic’s innovative walk-in appointment schedule allows a patient to receive an eczema diagnosis and timely care. (Kate Gleason, patient; Abby Van Voorhees, MD, FAAD)

Cory Simpson
Increasing access to underserved populations

Telemedicine helps dermatologists see more patients at a free clinic that cares for a mostly Spanish-speaking population. (Cory Simpson, MD, PhD, FAAD)

Daniel Fessler
Physical leads to excision of ‘Ugly Duckling’ lesion

Derm ECHO, a program connecting primary care physicians with dermatologic best practices, helps identify a patient’s ‘ugly duckling’ lesion leading to a critical surgical excision. (Daniel Fessler, patient; Robert Pierce, MD, MSPH, FAAFP)

Hassan Galadari
Collaborating to help an infant thrive

A pediatric team and a dermatologist determine the mysterious cause of an infant who was failing to thrive. (Hassan Galadari, MD)

Virginia Maxwell
Helping the Maxwell family live with a rare disorder

Dermatologists work together to help a patient and her children navigate insurance hurdles to access the treatments they need to treat pityriasis rubra pilaris, a rare auto-immune disorder. (Virginia Maxwell, patient; Jessica Burgy, MD, FAAD)

Ralph Cousins
It takes a team to tackle Ralph's angiosarcoma

A ‘dream team’ of several specialties led by dermatology help a patient recover from two battles with angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. (Ralph Cousins, patient; Alan Menter, MD, FAAD)

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