A Practice of Care

Dr. William Sawchuk first learned about dermatology when he was a boy and his brother needed treatment for a severe case of acne. The family met with the local dermatologist, a hardship for a blue-collar family. His brother’s acne improved, and Dr. Sawchuk concluded that dermatologists only took care of acne.

A pharmacist before he went to medical school, Dr. Sawchuk believed his knowledge of pharmacology would lead him to a career in internal medicine. Yet a two-week rotation in dermatology during his third year in medical school convinced him otherwise.

By then he had developed a more accurate view of the specialty, and how patient care affects the treatment of skin disease.

The 41-year career of Dr. Sawchuk, the DF 2022 Practitioner of the Year Award recipient, is a testament to his commitment to dermatology, patient care, and mentorship.

Lifelong mentor

His patient care philosophy is rooted in the teachings of one of his mentors, Dr. J. Lamar Callaway, the first chair of dermatology at Duke University; an old-school dermatologist who understood how to care for people said Dr. Sawchuk.

Dr. Callaway’s approach shifted the patient relationship from one of apprehension to one of trust.

In the 1940s and 1950s, many patients who came to him for treatment felt ashamed of their skin disease and stigmatized by the reactions of people around them. When he met patients for the first time, he wanted to ensure they felt comfortable with him and their skin disease.

Due diligence

Before Dr. Sawchuk decided to go into private practice, he contemplated a career in research. He accepted a three-year fellowship at the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He worked with Laboratory Chief Dr. Douglas R. Lowy, whose research focused on RAS oncogenes and human papillomavirus (HPV).

HPV infection can result in cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI). In 2020, there were more than 604,000 new cases of cervical cancer, with the highest incidence rates in Eswatini, Malawi, and Zambia.

“In Equatorial Africa, for example, women don’t have easy access to pap smears,” he said. “To conduct mass immunization programs in underserved countries could conceivably eradicate cervical cancer—just like they eradicated smallpox.”

Turning point

Dr. Lowy’s research led to the development of an HPV vaccine, and its impact has been life-changing for women. In 2020 an 11-year study confirmed the HPV vaccine dramatically reduces the number of women who will develop cervical cancer.

As a result of his participation in Dr. Lowy’s HIV and RAS oncogene research, in 1986 Dr. Sawchuk received the prestigious Everett C. Fox Resident/Fellow award for the most outstanding presentation at the AAD Residents/Fellows Research Forum. He received a monetary award and presented his work at the European Society for Dermatology Research meeting.

“If everybody smart has been gifted with the talent to do research, then who’s out there seeing patients?”

While his participation in Dr. Lowy’s research was a fulfilling experience, it lacked what he calls the patient perspective. “If everybody smart has been gifted with the talent to do research, then who’s out there seeing patients?”

Support network

During his 27 years as a member and volunteer, Dr. Sawchuk played a crucial role in DF’s evolution. He was a member of the Board of Trustees (2000-2004), (2008-2012), (2016-2018), Learning Society Committee (1999-2018), Audit committee (2008-2018), Project awareness committee (2005-2014), Nominating committee (2005-2007), Learning Society member (1995-2004), Annenberg Circle member (2005-2007), and Annenberg Circle Sustainer (2008-2019).

Dr. Sawchuk’s ability to marry his professional activities with leadership roles within the DF and other dermatologic societies earned him the DF Practitioner of the Year award.

“Over my career, I’ve witnessed and benefitted from extraordinary advances in knowledge and technology within our specialty.”

“Over my career, I’ve witnessed and benefitted from extraordinary advances in knowledge and technology within our specialty,” said Dr. Sawchuk, “many of which began with the Foundation’s support of young investigators, and that needs to continue.”

Dr. Sawchuk’s many roles within the DF and dermatological societies have shaped his contributions to the field. He is a member of the Washington, DC, Dermatological Society, where he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD), a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Dermatology, Society of Investigative Dermatology, Medical Society of Northern Virginia, and the Virginia Dermatology Society.

The societies provide a framework for thoughtful conversation, said Dr. Sawchuk, and present opportunities for practitioners to share knowledge and discuss complex cases. They’re incubators for thought leaders.

Mentor in practice

Dr. Sawchuk’s love of knowledge extends to his role as an educator and mentor. He was an attending physician in the resident clinic and a clinical consultant at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (1989-1998), Bethesda Naval Hospital (1989-1998), and the Dermatology Branch of the National Cancer Institute (1988-1996).

As his practice grew, his time for volunteering diminished—but not his commitment to residents.

Over 15 years, Dr. Sawchuk hired pre-med students as medical assistants in his practice.

He found another solution that allowed him to mentor residents. Over 15 years, Dr. Sawchuk would hire pre-med students as medical assistants in his practice. During their time with him, which lasted one to two years, they benefitted from his experience and knowledge; and from them, Dr. Sawchuk received part of his daily joy.

His words of advice echoed those he received from his mentor: “take the best of everything you learn in your life and blend the old with the new to become a better practitioner.”