The Derm Journal

All about Dermatology and Skin Care

About Me

          Why dermatology? Well, for most of my life, I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I never really had a clear passion, and the idea of employment seemed like something I was simply going to have to endure rather than enjoy. 

​          This changed after I experienced something that affected me, both physically and emotionally. I got severely injured during gymnastics (a sport I'd practiced for 4 years), where I split my lip open and needed 5 stitches. Following this, I became extremely self-conscious; the only silver lining was that it happened during the pandemic, so I could turn off my camera during virtual classes. During that time, I also began struggling with acne, something that occurred as I entered my teenage years. 

          Eventually, I went to a dermatologist for the first time, and that visit changed everything for me; I finally felt hopeful about my appearance. I began taking prescribed treatments, and my skin slowly began to heal. As my skin improved, so did my mental state.

          This positive change made me wonder if the medical field might be something I'd enjoy, especially if I could help others similarly. To explore this interest, I joined HOSA, a student-led organization focused on healthcare. Through hands-on experiences and exposure to medicine, I became confident in my decision. I realized that the only thing I could envision myself doing in the future was helping others through the medical field, more specifically, dermatology.