A Conversation With Susan C. Taylor, MD

Dr Taylor, a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Dermatology, is a leading voice for the scientific research, clinical care, and education for the dermatologic health of underserved populations. Dr Taylor completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), medical school at Harvard University, and dermatology residency at Columbia University. She was the founding director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke’s Hospital Center in New York City, NY, one of the first clinics in the nation specializing in the care of skin of color. She currently is an associate professor of dermatology and director of diversity of the department of dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn. She has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the Skin of Color Society (founder and president; SOCS), and the Women’s Dermatology Society (2020 Mentor of the Year; WDS) and previously served as vice president of the AAD.

Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. I have been very fortunate to have had diverse career opportunities over the past 30 years. I began my career in solo private practice. I then went on to create and direct the Skin of Color Center in New York City. I returned to private practice and became an active member of the AAD, the WDS, and the SOCS, serving on committees and becoming a member of the board of directors of these organizations.

Most recently I was recruited to Penn Medicine, where I am now enjoying academic dermatology and, in particular, clinical research trials. The ability to identify new safe and effective therapies to meet the needs of patients is critically important. I enjoy identifying a patient-related disorder or concern then figuring out how to design a research study that will ultimately help my patient. I find this work exciting, rewarding, and exhilarating.

Q. Who was your hero/mentor and why?"
A. My hero was my mother, Ethel Taylor, who had unwavering faith in me and taught me that I could achieve my professional goals despite obstacles and inequities. Although she was an under-resourced single parent, she provided a rich childhood for my sister and me. She allowed me to see the possibilities, and I am committed to mentoring students so that they too can see the possibilities both professional and personal.

Q. Are an understanding & appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. An understanding and appreciation of the humanities is critically important in dermatology and in medicine in general. The humanities provide a framework for understanding mankind through disciplines including literature, religion, art, and music and helps us understand the innate characteristics of mankind including sympathy, kindness, good, and evil.

I was an English major in college and learned that literature allows us to understand and reflect upon the theme of leadership, inequities, prejudice, and moral dilemmas, all important in medicine. The ancient Greek poem Odyssey by Homer and the more modern text To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee are two such examples. As physicians and dermatologists, we are often called upon to be leaders. Our leadership may involve a care team, a department or division, or a professional organization. The Leadership Moment: Nine True Stories of Triumph and Disaster and Their Lessons for Us All by Michael Useem and Antigone by Sophocles both provide leadership guidance.

Finally, we are beginning to understand the intersection of art and medicine and by studying a work of art we can learn to separate observation from interpretation and notice the small things which can ultimately allow us to be better diagnosticians.

Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?
A. E.G. was a patient whom I cared for while a second-year internal medicine resident. She was a Holocaust survivor whose torment was evident 40 years later. She was often combative and had a tenuous hold on reality. Her two children were wonderful advocates for her. Caring for her taught me to slow down and learn about and understand as much as possible about a patient’s background and history. Her care allowed me to learn that different approaches may be more effective for different patients.

Q. What is the greatest political danger in the field of dermatology?
A. The greatest political danger for the board-certified dermatologist is related to scope of practice. In multiple states, legislation has been introduced to expand the scope of practice of midlevel physician assistant providers that would eliminate the formal supervisory relationship between dermatologists and physician assistants. There is legislation to allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. Optometrists and naturopaths are also attempting to expand their scope of practice.

It is critically important that we preserve our scope of practice and ensure that midlevel providers are supervised in the dermatologist’s led care team. We are fortunate that the AAD is working proactively on our behalf to oppose the expansion of the scope of practice of midlevel providers.