Fellows Will Soon Leave ASDS-Accredited Programs with Valuable Training Under Their Belts

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They have helped improve traumatic-injury scars and helped change patients' appearances. They have changed lives, including their own.

Rolling Meadows, Ill. (PRWEB) June 18, 2014

Seven young dermatologists will start their careers soon with a significant boost: a year of specialized and accredited training in aesthetic dermatology. They will “graduate” this summer from the first fellowship programs accredited by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

ASDS launched the Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship Accreditation Program in summer 2013 to promote comprehensive – and accredited – post-residency training in cosmetic dermatologic procedures.

The physicians are completing training in four accredited programs. They are learning the finer points of wrinkles and folds, body contouring, rejuvenation, lifting, resurfacing, veins, lasers, scars, hair treatments, research and more.

This new program fills a critical training void, said ASDS President Mitchel P. Goldman, who also is a program director. “Although residents are required to perform skin cancer surgery and repairs of surgical defects in their dermatology residencies, they receive limited exposure to fillers, neuromodulators and lasers,” he said. “This is happening at the same time as there is more patient demand than ever for cosmetic procedures.”

The seven fellows are unanimously enthusiastic about the experience. They have worked with some of the latest devices on the market and learned some of the newest protocols from experts in the field. They have seen firsthand how a medical practice operates, treated their own patients, been able to follow up on those patients and participated in research projects.

They have helped improve traumatic-injury scars and helped change patients’ appearances. They have changed lives, including their own.

“It’s been a fantastic learning experience and extremely valuable,” said Laurel Morton, M.D., a fellow at SkinCare Physicians in suburban Boston.

At Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, Ana Marie Liolios, M.D., has worked with patients, learned the intricacies of an array of procedures and participated in research. She said the training has enabled her to acquire essential skill sets and to become a well-rounded dermatologist.

Kira Minkis, M.D., training at Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation’s Department of Dermatology in Chicago, has found the ability to be involved in follow-up care very useful. “We get to learn how to manage complications, which I think is one of the most important things to learn,” she said.

Mathew Avram, M.D., J.D., is a program director at the Massachusetts General Hospital program in Boston, plus chairs the ASDS Accreditation Work Group overseeing the program. “For the first time, there’s recognition of aesthetic dermatology training in the form of a fellowship,” he said. “This program will have a beneficial impact on the future of aesthetic dermatology and the training of the future leaders of our field, which is one of the core missions of our Society.”

This year’s future leaders have learned many cutting-edge protocols and operations of new devices. At Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dermatology Laser & Cosmetic Center in Boston, Anne Marie Tremaine, M.D., and Lisa Xu, M.D., both are focusing on lasers and their use in cosmetic treatments. “It’s been amazing to get exposed to so many devices so early in my career,” said Tremaine.

A pro bono initiative has provided fellows with other learning opportunities. Morton, Kathryn Kent, M.D., and Emily Keller, M.D. – all training at SkinCare Physicians near Boston – have found particularly rewarding their involvement in Project Heal, treating victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

“We truly have changed lives in a good way,” said Keller. “We are giving people function back. Instead of looking at the scars and seeing horrible memories, they can look ahead and put that time behind them.”

Kent said the impact on their skills is tremendous. “We can’t imagine how we could have accumulated this level of knowledge – without the accredited fellowship – even after years of practice, clinical trials and lectures and experience.”

About ASDS
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) is the largest specialty organization exclusively representing dermatologic surgeons who have unique training and experience to treat the health, function and beauty of your skin. ASDS members are pioneers in the field. Many are involved in the clinical studies that bring popular treatments to revitalize skin and fill and diminish wrinkles to the forefront. Their work has helped create and enhance many of the devices that remove blemishes, hair and fat, and tighten skin. Dermatologic surgeons also are experts in skin cancer prevention, detection and treatment. As the incidence of skin cancer rises, dermatologic surgeons are committed to taking steps to minimize the life-threatening effects of this disease. For more information, visit http://www.asds.net.

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Contact:
Beth Bales
Communications Manager
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
847-956-9143

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