Why do Dermatologists Join the SDH?  What Members Say...

"The SDH embodies the spirit of the “dermatology internist”, one who is deeply fulfilled by caring for the sickest patients in dermatology. The SDH provides a home where our community of likeminded, dedicated, and collaborative dermatologists can connect, learn, and grow as individuals while moving the field forward together. Our annual meeting is a highlight for me - it’s where it all happens. I couldn’t be prouder to call the members of the SDH my colleagues and friends." - Lindy Fox, MD, FAAD 

"I am deeply grateful for the SDH community's ability to foster a strong sense of connection that extends far beyond our annual meeting.  Inpatient dermatology plays a unique and crucial role, often requiring us to serve across multiple hospitals and health systems. We have the privilege to care for the sickest and most complex patients within our specialty.  SDH members are united by the shared commitment to providing expert dermatologic care to all populations who need it.  We also extend our expertise to community-based colleagues, assisting in the care of complex patients. 

The SDH has been invaluable to my professional growth -  Especially in my early career, when the support and mentorship were particularly crucial.  The SDH has helped me integrate my patient care responsibilities with educating medical students and residents, further contributing to the growth of future dermatologists."  - Freba Farhat, MD, FAAD

"The SDH Annual Meeting is consistently a highlight of my year. The cutting-edge research presented, coupled with the insightful discussions and networking opportunities, has significantly enriched my professional life. The mentorship I've received from seasoned colleagues has been invaluable, shaping me into a more effective clinician and researcher. The SDH community is more than just a professional organization; it's a family of dedicated individuals who share a passion for patient care and scientific discovery.  I will be an SDH member for life!"  -Helena B. Pasieka, MD, MS, FAAD

"The Society of Dermatology Hospitalists has been critical to my career and I would encourage all young dermatologists interested in the field to get involved. Finding a small group of mentors and peers who care for the sickest dermatology patients and pursue research has led to numerous opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have been afforded. Huge thank you to all the mentors and senior dermatologists in this group whom I have looked up to and have been integral to where my career is today." -Ben Kaffenberger, MD, FAAD

"Being the dermatologist who sees the majority of inpatient consultation means you are essentially the face of an entire department.  Interacting with other specialists and collaborating on challenging cases makes you a very visible person in a hospital's social structure.  It takes a pretty unique dermatologist to safely care for patients who are very sick and balance the wide variety of responsibilities to the hospital.  It's very difficult to objectively measure the value of such as position.  However, it's quite easy to find hospital-based physicians who will lament the lack of an inpatient dermatologist.

 I tell residents that being an inpatient dermatologist is a lot like being the place kicker on a football team; a quirky role that is mostly routine and sometimes thankless.  Everyone thinks you're easy to trade away for a better quarterback or another receiver, but a couple of times each month they thank their lucky stars you were there.  There's no better feeling than coming in and changing the course for a patient by getting them efficiently to the correct diagnosis and treatment.  It's priceless."  - Karl Saardi, MD, FAAD