Page 22 - SC4Q-2019-

best thing

dermatologist?

Collected by Dr. Jeni Pua, FPDS

This is the first of a series of simple queries we posed to randomly selected 10 PDS
DermAuthorities from different institutional affiliations and here are their responses:

“With my 48 years in Dermatology practice & research, it’s not just “Our skin is the biggest organ, it covers the head
patient satisfaction but also the sharing with Filipinos and the world down to our toes and accentuated by our hair and
about how our skin differs from others; and the flora and fauna that nails and is the first presentation of the human being
benefits us and the world.” to everyone. Being a dermatologist gives me the
-Vermen Verallo-Rowell, MD, FPDS- noble privilege of making the skin ideally flawless
and eventually affecting how a person is perceived
“Dermatology is highly visual. We diagnose both clinical by another which is important for one’s professional
and histopathology using our eyes. Also, we can clearly goals and social acceptance. Dermatologists not only
see a patient’s healing progress through visual means. It improve the skin but the psyche and the quality
is therefore highly fulfilling to lessen the need to rely on of life, as well. If our patients like what they see in
laboratory tests to bring our patients back to perfect skin themselves outwardly, their inner selves appreciate
health!” it. We are perceived as one who can listen and
-Jasmin Jamora, MD, FPDS- empathize; we develop friendships with our patients
since the common ailments brought to us can last for
years. That is why I love being a dermatologist, I heal
“It’s being able to make a positive impact on how patients feel about the outside and eventually develop the inside, making
themselves and restoring their confidence. We’re always on our my patients better people of our society and learn to
toes, keeping up with all the new developments in research and the love themselves.”
aesthetic field. There’s always so much to learn.” -Peachy Paz-Lao, MD, FPDS-
-Stephanie Katalbas, MD, DPDS-

“With Dermatology as a specialty, you “It’s the fulfillment of managing a wide array of conditions ranging from
don’t have to deal with a lot of mortalities, pathologic to cosmetic, from simple to complex, involving the skin, hair
compared to other specialties like IM, and nails. It goes beyond the financial benefits which just serves as an
pediatrics and surgery. We deal with icing. It’s the passion to be of service to patients in all sectors of society
morbidities, true. But the healing is at hand and see that smile when you help people regain their self esteem as you
most of the time.” join them in their journey through a perplexing condition. The best thing
-Francisco Rivera IV, MD, FPDS- in being a Dermatologist, in a nutshell, is a close Patient - Physician
Relationship and a Happy Face!”
-Ma. Teresita Gabriel, MD, FPDS-
“For me, the best thing about being
a dermatologist is the TIME that I can “I have time on my hands. Clinic time is
spend more with my family. I work on exciting since I see a variety of patients, “I chose dermatology because
my preferred schedule every single day. the young and the old, with a variety of I wanted to have more time
No one wakes me up on the wee hours conditions, from benign to malignant. for my family and to have
of the evening for emergency purposes. My brain is constantly stimulated by predictable clinic hours.”
Being a dermatologist also gives me what I see and my hands work with -Gaile Robredo-
a chance to give people the quality of procedures I love to do. I may be Vitas, MD, FPDS-
life each one deserves. I may not be gregarious by nature (“kikay”) but I
involved in my patients’ critical care but can easily spot products and procedures
I can give them the ‘feeling of wellness’ that give false promises.”
which contribute to the betterment of -Angel Cumagun, MD, FPDS-
one’s health. If I will be given another
chance to specialize in Medicine I would
still choose Dermatology. It is a field one “The best part about my being a dermatologist is
could be happy and thankful for being a discovering the culprit of a longstanding skin allergy.
doctor.” It’s fulfilling for me and relieving for patients.”
-Marilou Sarmiento, MD, FPDS- -Lonabel Encarnacion, MD, FPDS-

22