Co-author with Dr. John Peters
Over the past 25 years, SkinCare Physicians has trained more than 70 fellows, and our patients have become accustomed to meeting the fellows during their visit. To help our patients better understand the long-term commitment of our physicians to our two fellowship programs, we asked our current colleagues, Drs. Nicole Salame and Dr. John Peters, to share why pursuing a fellowship, post-board certification, is vital to them early in their careers. Here’s what they wrote.
The evolving dermatological landscape
Dermatologists must acquire the skills to respond to the needs of patients and treat the skin holistically. As minimally invasive cosmetic treatments grow in popularity, patients are less willing to accept the artificial divide between medical and cosmetic dermatology. Similarly, Mohs surgery for skin cancers is inherently performed on cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face. Thus, the dermatologist must have the training and skill to perform elegant, aesthetically acceptable repairs. This is where scholarship education can help.
Benefits of pursuing a scholarship
After board certification in dermatology, fellowship training in cosmetic and Mohs surgery enables young early-career physicians to fully master their specialty as general, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologists. For most dermatology residents, cosmetic dermatology and Mohs surgery are a small subset of their specialty training. An additional fellowship year complements this training with practical experience, research opportunities and mentoring, enabling them to become true experts, key opinion leaders and innovators in the field.
Additionally, there are two invaluable benefits of pursuing an extra year of education:
- Improving patient care: The fellowship builds the confidence, skill, and empathy needed to delicately address patients’ aesthetic and surgical concerns.
- Build Lasting Connections: The Fellowship provides an invaluable network of respected dermatologists who serve as lifelong mentors and friends.
A Day in the Life of Fellows at SkinCare Physicians
SkinCare Physicians offers two fellowship positions each year:
Both fellows are trained under leading authorities and pioneers in the field of cosmetic and surgical dermatology, Drs. Kenneth Arndt, Jeffrey Dover, Michael Kaminer, Thomas Rohrer, Karen Kim, Brooke Sikora, Laurel Morton, and Prasanthi Kandula.
The Aesthetic Dermatologic Surgery fellow spends most of his time in cosmetic-focused clinics seeing over ~200 cosmetic patients a week receiving a combination of fillers, neurotoxins, sclerotherapy, lasers, and other energy-based devices. At the clinic, the associate receives individual training in injection and laser techniques from expert dermatologists at SkinCare Physicians. In addition, fellows practice the art of aesthetic consultation with patients and appropriate treatment selection. The Aesthetic Dermatologic Surgery fellow also spends half a day a week training in Mohs Micrographic Surgery with Dr. Thomas Rohrer.
Mohs Surgery Fellow training focuses on developing the skills and techniques required to perform skin cancer surgery and repair on the most cosmetically sensitive areas of the body, such as the forehead, cheeks, nose, ears and lips. Under the guidance of renowned Mohs surgeon, Dr. Rohrer, the fellow learns to navigate these complex surgical scenarios with the highest precision and compassion. During the academic year, the fellow participates in more than 1000 surgical cases.
After hours, both partners have the opportunity to inject patients, administer laser treatments under supervision, meet with industry representatives for in-services on new devices or injectables, or lead a monthly journal club for to discuss the latest publications in aesthetic and surgical dermatology.
Highlights of Fellowship at SkinCare Physicians
One of the unique aspects of fellowship training at SkinCare Physicians is learning the intersection between the practice and business of dermatology. Since its founding in 2000, SkinCare Physicians has grown into a premier national practice for general dermatology, surgical dermatology and laser surgery, and cosmetic surgery. His success is palpable. Through daily experiences, discussion with our mentors, and formal teaching management practices, the fellowship teaches the principles of managing or working in a successful cosmetic and surgical dermatology practice.
Another important feature of the fellowship was the opportunity to participate as sub-investigators for clinical trials conducted at SkinCare Physicians. Treating research patients, conducting study evaluations, learning about new research treatments, and other valuable experiences were exciting additions to the fellowship training year. New technologies will continue to enter the field of cosmetic dermatology. Understanding the device and product research, development and approval process is critical expert knowledge.
What’s next for our current colleagues?
After completing their fellowship year, Drs. Salame and Peters will both return to their home countries to practice. Dr. Salame will join the OSVI Institute of Dermatology and Surgery in Manhattan Beach, California, where she will provide cosmetic, surgical and medical dermatology care to patients in the Beach Cities. Dr. Peters will relocate to Philadelphia where he will join Bryn Mawr Dermatology. In addition to focusing on dermatologic surgery, Dr. Peters will also practice general and cosmetic dermatology.
