Members beyond detection
From the President
Dr. Tomecki served as Academy president from March 2021 to March 2022.
By Kenneth Tomecki, MD, July 1, 2021
"Under the radar" (i.e., "going unnoticed" or "avoiding unnecessary attention)" — all phrases that define a few Academy members who simply "go about their business" and more without fanfare, notoriety, or attendant accolades. They just simply do what they choose to do for the greater good, either for patients, family, friends, or their communities, sometimes doing so distantly. These folks deserve our quiet applause, our gratitude, our heartfelt thanks for all that they do. A few examples of members working and contributing under the radar:
Ginette Okoye, professor and chair of dermatology at Howard University, served as the medical lead for Howard’s COVID-19 community testing initiative last year in an underserved neighborhood in northeast Washington, D.C. When the pandemic temporarily closed the Howard derm clinics, Dr. Okoye recruited staff and derm residents to establish a free community testing site, where residents had quick, easy, open access for COVID testing four days/week. Given that success, a second testing site opened in a nearby church, followed by an employee testing site at Howard, all of which followed her initial strides to provide testing for D.C. residents in an underserved area of the city. Amy Derick, Chicago-area dermatologist, collaborated with a nearby health system earlier this year to provide COVID-19 vaccinations for more than 1,500 physicians in need. Louis Kuchnir, a Boston-area dermatologist, did likewise. Working with local school superintendents, he established a COVID-19 vaccination site at his office for eligible school nurses from eight local school districts in Grafton, Marlborough, and Waltham, Massachusetts.
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Richard Huggins, a dermatologist at Henry Ford Health Systems, is the medical director of the largest local vitiligo support group in the country: V Strong Detroit. He founded the group and has missed only one meeting since 2009. He chairs the patient support programs for Global Vitiligo Foundation (GVF), and he recently created and oversees GVF Student Allies, a group of 20+ medical student volunteers across the country who assist and coordinate support group activities. Given that commitment, Dr. Huggins was named Man of Excellence in 2016 by local news media and honored twice as faculty humanitarian by Henry Ford derm residents.
Marc Inglesee, a Tallahassee dermatologist and former FSDDS president, is frequently the go-to person for interview and testimony at the state capitol whenever derm-related matters arise for consideration, debate, or commentary, when politicos and lawmakers need to hear from a dermatologist on legislation. When asked, Marc is invariably available for commentary, testimony, or simply an opinion as resident derm advocate in Tallahassee. As such, he has regularly helped the specialty and his colleagues in Florida. Thanks, Marc.
Jun Lu is a dermatologist at UConn Health who recently began providing telemedicine/derm evaluations at York Correctional Facility for incarcerated women. She provides the service with Tara Hood, a nurse-clinician at the Connecticut Dept. of Corrections. “Our partnership fills a major need,” said Dr. Lu, providing “safe, convenient care in an accessible location,” especially important during COVID times. Both Dr. Lu and Ms. Hood were recognized by AAD last year as "patient care heroes."
In the derm political arena, two individuals really deserve a round of applause: Kelley Pagliai Redbord and Bruce Brod. Kelley is a tireless advocate for health care reform, especially at the state level, primarily via the Academy GAHP Council and Congressional Policy Committee which she chairs. She is relentless, amazingly versed, and always willing to roll up her sleeves and tackle tough issues, which she has done for more than 10 years. Bruce is another dedicated and tireless advocate who practices what he preaches. He currently chairs the GAHP Council which orchestrates AADA responses to all federal and state legislative and regulatory issues that face the specialty. He has been active in his state (Penn.) and testifies about scope of practice and tanning legislation at the state and federal levels on a regular basis. He is often the derm voice ‘on the Hill.’ Kelley and Bruce are the designated derm combatants in the D.C. arena.
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Vinh Chung, dermatologist in Colorado Springs, has a truly remarkable story. Born in South Vietnam soon after the country fell, he and his family crossed the South China Sea. Dr. Chung and family ‘made their way’ to the states where he obtained a medical degree and a master’s degree in theology. His memoir, Where the Wind Leads, outlines his approach to work, exemplified by his manner and approach to life, specifically dermatology. He has touched many individuals (e.g., family, friends, employees, and especially patients), exhibiting joy and inspiration to many less fortunate. I learned about Dr. Chung and his six tips for finding derm joy from Mark Kaufmann, current AAD president-elect.
Those are only a few individuals who have made a difference within the specialty, quietly, yet effectively, without fanfare or notoriety. They deserve our gratitude and applause. More to follow. Stay tuned.
Input for this column provided in part by Drs. Cheryl Burgess, Linda Stein-Gold, Andy Weinstein, Kelley Redbord, and Bruce Brod.
