Navigating Your Career

I Wish I Had Known: Patient Experience
bandage knownI wish I had known that cosmetic patients and Mohs patients are like oil and water sitting in the same waiting room They do not mix well at all. In general, well-heeled, cosmetic-oriented people (mostly women) wish to wait with others who they can identify with. Often, Mohs patients are quite elderly with bandages on their faces. Which can be a frightening sight to the cosmetic patient. I would r …
bandage known
I Wish I Had Known: Fellowship Opportunities
fellowship opportunityThe fellowship opportunities in dermatology (before and after residency) are endless and one of a kind. Before beginning my residency at the University of Maryland, I was lucky to have landed a clinical fellowship focusing on dermatologic and laser surgery at the Mohs and Laser Unit at the University of Miami. To this day, it was one of the experiences that has prepared me the most for a career in …
fellowship opportunity
Advice on Breaking Into Private Practice
Adapted from Q&A session at Winter AAD 2014 Question: If you are going to go into private practice, which as we know it’s a tough industry to break into now, what would be your advice at the current stage--knowing what we know concerning reimbursements cuts and all that? Answer Dr. Sarnoff: First, scout the location where you will set up. If possible, go to an area where it’s not so …
The Importance of Running a Team Oriented Practice and Cultivating Cultural Awareness
Team Cultural awareness is an important part of your new practice.  When starting your practice, it’s most important to remember that it’s hard. It’s hard to start making decisions for your patients, you will wake up at night thinking about your patients, you will spend long hours making sure that one medication was given the right way. You will train your staff to be part of a team—a …
Team
I Wish I Had Known: Pay Attention To Staff During Residency
staff residencyOne of the most important skills that I strive to develop in order to run an efficient, pleasant practice is to effectively manage my staff. Throughout residency I was so focused on learning dermatology to the best of my ability that I never considered the other skills that would benefit me in practice. My behavior sets the model for how everyone else should conduct themselves. I have fun with …
staff residency