Science
Transforming Diagnosis and Care of Patients with Pyoderma Gangrenosum
When Alex Ortega, MD, was in medical school at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, in Lima, Peru, he became fascinated with dermatology. He had come across a paper about pemphigus foliaceus in Brazil (Warren et al. 2000), the lead author of which was a fellow Peruvian, Luis Diaz, who at the time was chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill). Ortega decided to pursue research training under Diaz. Ortega was one of the first medical students to travel to communities…
Breaking New Ground and Breaking Divides in South African Dermatology for Black Africans
As a Black South African living under apartheid, Ncoza Dlova, MD, faced racism at every turn. Yet she broke through systemic barriers to achieve a series of historic firsts. Dlova was the first Black African woman and dermatologist to graduate from the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa, the first Black African woman to become full professor of dermatology, and the first Black African dean of the medical school, a position she held from 2018 to 2024. Currently, she is chair of the Department of Dermatology at UKZN. “There was nobody…
Melanonychia and the Study of Nail Diseases
For 35 years, Judith Domínguez-Cherit, MD, has worked as a dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital, the same practice her father, the distinguished dermatologist Luciano Domínguez-Soto, started in 1977. “When I was young, my father took me with him to the hospital,” she said. “I became interested in skin diseases and was able to learn a lot of dermatology before medical school. This is why I became a dermatologist.” Domínguez-Cherit is a dermatological surgeon and an expert on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of nail diseases. If her significant contributions to…
DF Honorary Awards
From the Lab to the Launchpad
Dr. Eugene Bauer, “Gene” to almost everyone who knows him, made a breakthrough discovery in 1988 whose impact continues to drive research into epidermolysis bullosa (EB) today. It’s why he received the DF’s 2025 Discovery Honorary Award, and why he is held in high esteem in the…
The Itch and Rash Whisperer
Jenny Murase, MD, is driven in her career to be the best clinician, teacher, and mentor she can be. She has worked tirelessly to become an expert clinician treating complex itch and rash conditions, one her colleagues routinely rely on for diagnostic and treatment advice. Her journey…
A Champion of Patient Safety and Education
Dr. James Taylor has dedicated his career to the Cleveland Clinic, embodying its mission of patient care, education, and research, the very values for which he received the Dermatology Foundation’s 2025 Practitioner of the Year Honorary Award. Taylor’s career is…
A Master Educator, Mentor and Scientist
Dr. Vincent DeLeo, the 2025 recipient of the DF Lifetime Career Educator Honorary Award, has devoted his life to education, mentorship, and innovation. And he has awards, distinctions, honors, and the respect of many colleagues to prove it. DeLeo is a globally…
from the foundation
Fostering A Spirit of Education and Community
During his address at the Dermatology Foundation’s 23rd annual Clinical Symposium, held January 29-30 in Naples, Florida, DF Advisory Council member George Cotsarelis described donations to the Foundation as “the seeds” that sets in motion a chain of events, beginning with research and leading to breakthroughs, which benefit the dermatology community and, ultimately, patients. Research, he said, requires “a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep commitment.“
His message resonated with the more than 425 participants in attendance, including 50 residents attending the Symposium for the first time. This year also marked the first time the Foundation welcomed sponsors and exhibitors to the meeting.
2025 CS Proceedings
New Frontiers in Early Life Atopic Dermatitis
Dr. Vikash Oza presented information about early life atopic dermatitis (AD). Infants and children are the population most often seeking care, with poorly understood phenotypes and changing needs with time. Early life AD can be prevented, and proper management can help prevent other chronic diseases. First, Oza reviewed the prevalence of AD…
Granulomas Gone Wild: Update of Rubella as an Evolving Trigger
Dr. Karolyn Wanat presented information about the discovery, diagnosis, and treatment of rubella virus (RuV)-associated granulomas. RuV is a single-stranded RNA virus typically associated with a mild clinical course. It can persist in immune-privileged sites and cause complications, including encephalitis, uveitis, arthritis, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The RuV vaccine was developed…
Bedside Diagnostics for the Dermatologist: Pearls, Pitfalls, Practical Uses
Dr. Karolyn Wanat presented information about microscopy techniques dermatologists can perform at bedside. She used patient cases to demonstrate the utility of these techniques in a variety of settings and noted the similarities among features seen on microscopy and histopathology. Although histopathology may still be needed to confirm the diagnosis, direct microscopy…
How Working with AI May Make Us Better Dermatologists
Dr. Veronica Rotemberg presented information about the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in dermatology. There are few high-quality studies of AI for dermatologic purposes. First, Rotemberg discussed the challenges dermatologists face when working with AI models. AI models that are trained using photographs may become less accurate over time and…
When Interferon Interferes: Updates in Childhood Connective Tissue Disease
Dr. Vikash Oza presented information about the diagnosis and treatment of children with connective tissue diseases, including juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and chronic cutaneous lupus (CCL). In multidisciplinary settings, dermatologists play an important role in the early identification, treatment, and monitoring of…
Latest Breakthroughs in Vascular Anomalies
Dr. Erin Mathes shared updates in the evaluation and treatment of vascular anomalies, including infantile hemangioma (IH) and port wine birthmarks (PWB). First, Mathes reviewed the clinical practice guidelines for managing IH. High-risk patients should be referred to a hemangioma specialist….
Intriguing Neonatal Cases
Dr. Erin Mathes presented cases that demonstrate neonatal cutaneous processes, including erythroderma, infantile hemangiomas (IH) in preterm infants, solitary infantile myofibromas (IM), infantile malignancies, transverse nasal root veins, and newborn telangiectasias. She highlighted clinical practice gaps and areas for future research….
Acral and Nail Unit Melanoma: Challenges and Approaches to Diagnosis and Management
Dr. Daniel Klufas presented information about the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of acral melanoma, including acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and nail unit melanoma (NUM). Acral melanomas are rare subtypes of cutaneous melanoma (CM) found on non-hair-bearing acral surfaces. They typically…
