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Ask a Mentor: On finding a niche in the field, developing a career in academics and better serving patients of color

We are excited to announce another installment of our new recurring series: Ask a Mentor. In this monthly segment, we will identify an accomplished mentor in the field of Dermatology to answer your questions about career development and their unique areas of expertise.

If you have questions on finding a niche in the field, developing a career in academics and/or better serving patients of color, be sure to submit your questions for our Mentor of the Month, Dr. McMichael, by emailing us at [email protected].

Dr. McMichael is Professor and Chair of Dermatology at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She received her MD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, dermatology training at the University of Michigan and advanced training in epidemiology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine Department of Public Health Sciences.  Dr. McMichael is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology.  Her research focuses on hair and scalp disorders and skin disease of deeply pigmented skin.  Her publications include many peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and invited articles on these topics.  She is the also the co-editor of the text Hair and Scalp Diseases: Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Treatments.

Dr. McMichael is on the Editorial Board of Cosmetic Dermatology and JAMA Dermatology and has served as a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. She has served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Council to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, is the immediate past-President of the Skin of Color Society, and Chair, Career Advancement Committee of Women’s Dermatologic Society. She has served as Vice-President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, Secretary-Treasurer of the North American Hair Research Society, and Chair of the Dermatology Section of the National Medical Association.