Twice as Nice

A mor Khachemoune, M.D., C.W.S., is one of those rare individuals who I’m convinced has a clone. If he doesn’t, then I want to know how he accomplishes all that he does. Many of the doctors I know are overachievers, just as Dr. Khachemoune is, but few people, I suspect, would have the tenacity to complete two residencies in dermatology. Of course, for 99.9% of doctors this scenario would not necessarily apply anyway. But that isn’t the case for Dr. Khachemoune, who is a second-year resident at Georgetown University Medical Center. Dr. Khachemoune, who we welcome this month as the new section editor of our signature last-page department, “Derm Dx,” has an intriguing story — one that I think you all can appreciate whether you’re also a resident or a seasoned practitioner. Long Road Traveled If Dr. Khachemoune had been a practicing dermatologist since he earned his first degree in dermatology, he’d now have 14 years of experience to his credit. It was back in 1989 that he earned his first medical degree from the National Institute of Medical Sciences in Constantine, Algeria. Soon after, he left for Lille and Paris for a 4-year dermatology residency where he became board certified in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology. While in the captivating city of Paris, he met his wife, who’s now an endocrinologist at the National Institutes of Health. For 2 years, Dr. Khachemoune practiced dermatology in France, but it wasn’t enough. He yearned to fulfill a lifelong dream to move to America, a place he’d only visited twice but knew would be his ultimate home. Realizing a Dream So began his quest to become a dermatologist in America. In 1996, he began the long process of applying and interviewing, and after meeting with representatives from five different programs, he ended up at the Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Onward and Upward So, with his dream underway and close to realization, Dr. Khachemoune must be pretty busy and savoring any spare time he can get for a little recouping and spending time with his wife and young daughter. Right? Wrong. In his “spare time,” he’s writing CME articles, submitting cases and feature articles, oh, and he’s also writing two books. In addition, he’ll start a Mohs rotation next month in Boston. And when he gets around to a personal goal he’s wanted to attain for years, he’d also like to take the test so that he can officially get his black belt. After Graduation When graduation rolls around next July, Dr. Khachemoune hopes to continue in an academic position, as teaching is a love of his. And after that, the sky is the limit. Maybe, someday, he says, he might even go back to school to work on a law degree. Just one degree will do this time, though. n If you’d like to submit a case for consideration in the “Derm Dx” department, please send a 600- to 800-word write-up and photos of the condition that was treated to Dr. Khachemoune at the following address: Dr. Amor Khachemoune, Georgetown University Medical Center, Division of Dermatology, 3800 Reservoir Road, NW 5PHC, Washington, DC 20007. Or e-mail them to amorkh@pol.net.