Another one of those ubiquitous e-mails arrived today from a recruiter hoping to find a dermatologist to fill a terrific position. The letter pointed out how fortunate we dermatologists are, citing that nearly 40% of medical school applicants seeking a dermatology position don’t match. That statistic probably underestimates the difficulty in finding a spot, as many students who would like to be dermatologists don’t even apply, knowing that their chances of acceptance would be poor. The standards are so high that residencies have to turn away many truly wonderful candidates.

Much Is Expected

Our own residency program, like so many others, has hundreds of applicants for fewer than a handful of positions. Nearly all of the applicants have great board scores, high grades, and other significant achievements. A person has to be near the top of the Bell curve just to get into medical school, and dermatology programs get to choose their residents from the very top of those top people.

So how do we choose from among such a great group? It’s not just the grades and board scores. We look for exceptional human beings, team players who are ethical, caring, friendly and hardworking. We like people who have joie de vivre and a love of learning. We are attracted to those who bring positive energy into the room. All the candidates are great on paper; we’re looking for the ones who, like so many in our specialty, are terrific people.

Giving Back

As if it weren’t enough to be a caring dermatologist, keeping up one’s skills,and giving patients great medical care, so many in our specialty find the time and resources do even more. The range of activities is so broad — from adopting children, to serving in government, even to ending poverty in Africa. The AAD’s Leadership Circle for Volunteerism award and its Members Making A Difference Award highlight the activities of many in our specialty. In speaking out for volunteerism, Bob Brodell, winner of an AAD Members Making A Difference Award in August 2004 (and winner of a national American Cancer Society award for outstanding and continuous service in the area of public policy and advocacy), said, “Nothing I have done has enriched my life more than the friends I have made through volunteerism.”

Leading by Example

In the past few months, I’ve seen firsthand the vigorous volunteer efforts of two great dermatologists, Jerry Bagel and Mark Lebwohl, to help the National Psoriasis Foundation. Mark and Jerry have worked tirelessly to promote the Foundation, urging dermatologists to make a contribution to this organization that does so much for our patients and our specialty. Mark and Jerry lead the Foundation’s President’s Council (dermatologists who commit to making a contribution of $500 per year for 5 years), but they aren’t the only ones involved; many dermatologists are making contributions and asking other colleagues to contribute. It’s menches like Mark and Jerry and you that make our specialty the wonderful group of people that it is.

Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Editor

PS: If you’ve already made a contribution to the National Psoriasis Foundation’s campaign, thank you. If you haven’t yet made your pledge, please call Helen Connor at the Foundation (800.723.9166) and make a contribution. If you prefer, e-mail me at sfeldman@wfubmc.edu, and I’ll get you connected.