In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Justin Leitenberger, MD, is an assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR, specializing in cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston, during which time he completed the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
He completed both his dermatology residency and micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology training at OHSU. He is a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and is an active member of the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. Creating a great surgical outcome for a patient is a highlight for me. I find transposition flaps in dermatologic surgery to be the most rewarding when executed precisely. There is often little room for error, a millimeter here or there, for a bilobed flap on the nose to go from excellent to suboptimal. As my surgical experience grows, having this understanding gives me great joy when teaching and instructing residents and fellows in dermatology.
I also enjoy “keeping it simple” when choosing reconstruction vs healing by secondary intent. Choosing granulation takes as much confidence as raising a large flap when discussing options with patients. Imparting this knowledge on trainees who want to see and do more in clinic is one of the most important and humbling parts of my practice.
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Related Content
Spotlight on: Edward W. Cowen, MD, MHSc
Spotlight on: Alexander Egeberg, MD, PhD
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Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals.
I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction.
I have also seen the benefits of having a creative outlet in crafting more personal satisfaction for my colleagues who have talents outside of medicine. For example, Irèn Kossintseva, MD, a Mohs surgeon at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, is an accomplished classical artist. During her Mohs fellowship at OHSU, she would draw exquisite portraits of faces, noses, and ears for our Mohs maps. My colleague, Sam Hopkins, MD, is the lead vocalist and guitarist for a band, Patina, performing regularly in the live music scene in Portland. They are finding ways to activate different parts of the brain that the daily practice of medicine leaves behind. Humanities will keep these neurons firing—likely good for our health and for improving our relationships with patients.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. My greatest regret was thinking there was/is never enough time to achieve personal and professional goals.
Q. Who is your hero/mentor and why?
A. My father has always been handy—repairing our home, appliances, and electronics. His do-it-yourself skills are based in economics and time. He takes time to learn new techniques by reading and practicing, and no project is ever finished on time. In kind, a good dermatologist reads, learns, and applies new advances for better patient care. I think in another life, my father could have been a salty, tough surgeon with a warm heart.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received and from whom?
A. Texans are notorious for believing everything is bigger and better in their state. Sometimes, they are right. When I was a medical student spending a year as Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, I met and worked with Ponciano “Chito” Cruz, MD. He encouraged me to seek broad experiences for my residency training. I was very fortunate to train at OHSU and experience working in a different environment than my home state. I regularly encourage students to take opportunities outside of their comfort zone; it is often the most rewarding.
Online Extra
Visit www.the-dermatologist.com to read more with Dr Leitenberger.
Dr Barankin is a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature.
In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Justin Leitenberger, MD, is an assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR, specializing in cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston, during which time he completed the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
He completed both his dermatology residency and micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology training at OHSU. He is a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and is an active member of the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. Creating a great surgical outcome for a patient is a highlight for me. I find transposition flaps in dermatologic surgery to be the most rewarding when executed precisely. There is often little room for error, a millimeter here or there, for a bilobed flap on the nose to go from excellent to suboptimal. As my surgical experience grows, having this understanding gives me great joy when teaching and instructing residents and fellows in dermatology.
I also enjoy “keeping it simple” when choosing reconstruction vs healing by secondary intent. Choosing granulation takes as much confidence as raising a large flap when discussing options with patients. Imparting this knowledge on trainees who want to see and do more in clinic is one of the most important and humbling parts of my practice.
_______________________________________________________________________
Related Content
Spotlight on: Edward W. Cowen, MD, MHSc
Spotlight on: Alexander Egeberg, MD, PhD
________________________________________________________________________
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals.
I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction.
I have also seen the benefits of having a creative outlet in crafting more personal satisfaction for my colleagues who have talents outside of medicine. For example, Irèn Kossintseva, MD, a Mohs surgeon at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, is an accomplished classical artist. During her Mohs fellowship at OHSU, she would draw exquisite portraits of faces, noses, and ears for our Mohs maps. My colleague, Sam Hopkins, MD, is the lead vocalist and guitarist for a band, Patina, performing regularly in the live music scene in Portland. They are finding ways to activate different parts of the brain that the daily practice of medicine leaves behind. Humanities will keep these neurons firing—likely good for our health and for improving our relationships with patients.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. My greatest regret was thinking there was/is never enough time to achieve personal and professional goals.
Q. Who is your hero/mentor and why?
A. My father has always been handy—repairing our home, appliances, and electronics. His do-it-yourself skills are based in economics and time. He takes time to learn new techniques by reading and practicing, and no project is ever finished on time. In kind, a good dermatologist reads, learns, and applies new advances for better patient care. I think in another life, my father could have been a salty, tough surgeon with a warm heart.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received and from whom?
A. Texans are notorious for believing everything is bigger and better in their state. Sometimes, they are right. When I was a medical student spending a year as Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, I met and worked with Ponciano “Chito” Cruz, MD. He encouraged me to seek broad experiences for my residency training. I was very fortunate to train at OHSU and experience working in a different environment than my home state. I regularly encourage students to take opportunities outside of their comfort zone; it is often the most rewarding.
Online Extra
Visit www.the-dermatologist.com to read more with Dr Leitenberger.
Dr Barankin is a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature.
In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Justin Leitenberger, MD, is an assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR, specializing in cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston, during which time he completed the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
He completed both his dermatology residency and micrographic surgery and dermatologic oncology training at OHSU. He is a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery and is an active member of the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. Creating a great surgical outcome for a patient is a highlight for me. I find transposition flaps in dermatologic surgery to be the most rewarding when executed precisely. There is often little room for error, a millimeter here or there, for a bilobed flap on the nose to go from excellent to suboptimal. As my surgical experience grows, having this understanding gives me great joy when teaching and instructing residents and fellows in dermatology.
I also enjoy “keeping it simple” when choosing reconstruction vs healing by secondary intent. Choosing granulation takes as much confidence as raising a large flap when discussing options with patients. Imparting this knowledge on trainees who want to see and do more in clinic is one of the most important and humbling parts of my practice.
_______________________________________________________________________
Related Content
Spotlight on: Edward W. Cowen, MD, MHSc
Spotlight on: Alexander Egeberg, MD, PhD
________________________________________________________________________
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals.
I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction.
I have also seen the benefits of having a creative outlet in crafting more personal satisfaction for my colleagues who have talents outside of medicine. For example, Irèn Kossintseva, MD, a Mohs surgeon at University of British Columbia in Vancouver, is an accomplished classical artist. During her Mohs fellowship at OHSU, she would draw exquisite portraits of faces, noses, and ears for our Mohs maps. My colleague, Sam Hopkins, MD, is the lead vocalist and guitarist for a band, Patina, performing regularly in the live music scene in Portland. They are finding ways to activate different parts of the brain that the daily practice of medicine leaves behind. Humanities will keep these neurons firing—likely good for our health and for improving our relationships with patients.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. My greatest regret was thinking there was/is never enough time to achieve personal and professional goals.
Q. Who is your hero/mentor and why?
A. My father has always been handy—repairing our home, appliances, and electronics. His do-it-yourself skills are based in economics and time. He takes time to learn new techniques by reading and practicing, and no project is ever finished on time. In kind, a good dermatologist reads, learns, and applies new advances for better patient care. I think in another life, my father could have been a salty, tough surgeon with a warm heart.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received and from whom?
A. Texans are notorious for believing everything is bigger and better in their state. Sometimes, they are right. When I was a medical student spending a year as Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, I met and worked with Ponciano “Chito” Cruz, MD. He encouraged me to seek broad experiences for my residency training. I was very fortunate to train at OHSU and experience working in a different environment than my home state. I regularly encourage students to take opportunities outside of their comfort zone; it is often the most rewarding.
Online Extra
Visit www.the-dermatologist.com to read more with Dr Leitenberger.
Dr Barankin is a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature.
