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A Conversation With Christine J. Ko, MD
© 2024 HMP Global. All Rights Reserved.
Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of The Dermatologist or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. I love that light bulb moment when you see something clearly. For me, it is especially meaningful when there has been a certain amount of struggle, when you have been working hard for or at something and suddenly you get it. There is a feeling of gratitude and excitement that is also a little bittersweet because the things most worth working toward often present multiple challenges.
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology?
A. I have recently been exploring different concepts in cognitive psychology, such as emotional intelligence, metacognition, and perception. I find they are invaluable in being a good physician. You cannot practice in a vacuum; there must be a patient for there to be a doctor. Learning how to be truly present for any given patient takes being aware of the patient’s story, which links to the humanities. The humanities often help us relate to others through showing us different perspectives.
Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work?
A. Many patients with skin disease have had an impact on me, including those with atopic dermatitis, factitial dermatitis, psoriasis, calciphylaxis, Paget disease of the nipple, mycosis fungoides, and skin cancer. But when I dig deep, the patient who has affected me the most would be my son who was misdiagnosed for over half his life before he was diagnosed with auditory neuropathy at about age 2. Seeing and experiencing health care from the patient side as his advocate was eye opening for me. I realized how often I could do things better on the physician side by truly allowing patients to be seen and heard. Being able to feel their feelings and not get immediately caught up in medical problem-solving mode, I am much more fulfilled. It is not easy, but it is worthwhile.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A. Henry James is often attributed the quote, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” I first read this when my daughter was in kindergarten, and I must admit that I scoffed. Really? But I have slowly realized that this covers a lot, including love, faith, and perspective. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. And then double-check that. Am I being kind to both myself and others? If I did this more successfully, more of the time, I think my life would be easier.
Q. Who was your hero/mentor?
A. Dr Jean Bolognia has been an amazing mentor to me. She gives advice from a selfless standpoint. She is practical, logical, and down to earth. She also has the highest standards of almost anyone I know. She can run the most efficient meeting, literally 5 minutes if that is the time necessary to accomplish the agenda. And she can spend innumerable hours on something creative.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. I do not like to live from a space of regret, but of course there are things that I wish could have happened differently. I am learning to be resilient and accept reality as it comes. You could call it a regret that I know I have missed opportunities out of fear or shame. I wish that I had embraced fear and shame earlier as data points or signposts. These emotions can tell me something about myself or the situation. I can channel them to empower me rather than box me in.
