A Conversation With Walter Liszewski, MD
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Dr Walter Liszewski is an assistant professor of dermatology and an assistant professor of cancer epidemiology at Northwestern University. He completed his medical degree at Tulane University and his residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota. He also completed a Fulbright Fellowship in dermatology research at the University of Copenhagen. Since 2019, Dr Liszewski has been the director of patch testing at Northwestern University. His clinical and research work focuses on the safety and allergenic potential of cosmetic products and implantable metal devices. He also has a particular interest in tattoos and conducts research on their regulation and safety. Dr Liszewski currently serves on the board of directors for the European Society for Tattoo and Pigment Research.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. As someone who specializes in patch testing, the best feeling in the world is the “Eureka!” moment when you successfully identifying the cause of a patient’s allergic contact dermatitis.
Q. Who was your hero/mentor and why?
A. I have been fortunate to have had numerous mentors over the years: Erin Boh, Andrea Murina, Robert Gniadecki, Maria Hordinsky, Erin Warshaw, and Amy Paller. Although they have very different clinical interests, they each taught me lessons about research and clinical dermatology. I would not be where I am today without their mentorship and guidance, and I hope to pay this forward to future dermatologists.
Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?
A. In my continuity clinic as a resident, I had a young man with severe folliculitis decalvans. Although I was never able to cure his disease, I was able to provide treatment to alleviate his suffering. This patient taught me that although we cannot cure every disease, there is no limit to the amount of compassion and empathy we can have for our patients.
Q. Which medical figure in history would you want to have a drink with and why?
A. I would want to meet Moritz Kaposi. His life story has always fascinated me. Born in rural Hungary, Kaposi would become a leading dermatologist in Vienna and was responsible for the discovery of numerous dermatologic diseases.
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