Bridging the Gender Gap: Women Leading the Way

As treatment guidelines, medical treatments, and patient perspectives change, so too has the demographic makeup of the dermatology specialty.

Image by Chrissy Bolton/MJH Life Sciences using AI

In 1970, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimated that women comprised just 6.9% of the dermatology workforce. Since then, a 2021 International Journal of Women’s Dermatology study estimates that number has increased more than 7-fold, with women now making up 49.9% of the specialty.¹ This number is projected to steadily rise; for more than 20 years, women have represented the majority of dermatology residents (> 60%), indicative of a continually narrowed gap.¹

Despite this progress, gender disparities persist—particularly in leadership roles. While women now account for 50% of medical school graduates and 36% of practicing physicians, they remain underrepresented in key positions. Only 13% serve as hospital system leaders, 14% as chief medical officers, and 27% as chief executive officers. In academia, women hold just 20% of department chair positions and 18% of dean roles.²

“Within dermatology and the broader medical community, recognizing the invaluable contributions of women clinicians is essential. We honor the legacy of pioneering women who paved the way for so many others, including providers and patients across all facets of health care,” said Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, editor in chief of Dermatology Times and associate professor of dermatology and translational biomedicine at Yale School of Medicine. “My own mother was a private practice clinical endocrinologist for over 35 years and the inspiration behind my love for medicine and patient care. I have witnessed the power of women in medicine from a very young age thanks to my mother, and from that experience I can wholeheartedly admire and celebrate the achievements of today’s women in dermatology who are barrier-breakers and an inspiration for others.”

Bunick also sat down with Adelaide Hebert, MD, to discuss her inspiring career, life lessons, and her recent nomination for the Women’s Dermatologic Society Legacy Award. Read more in this month’s “Letter From the Editor in Chief”. In honor of celebrating Women’s History Month and the second annual National Dermatologist Day on March 13, Dermatology Times spoke with some of the remarkable women advancing patient care, pioneering research, and mentoring the next generation of clinicians.

Hilary Baldwin, MD

Cynthia Griffith, MPAS, PA-C

Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, FAAD

Leah Bressler, MS, PA-C

Hilary Baldwin, MD, a founding board member and medical director of the Acne Treatment and Research Center and an associate professor of dermatology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, is one of the many women within the field that embody leadership for the next generation of clinicians. Baldwin, a frequent lecturer and visiting professor, has been awarded numerous honors for excellence in her career, including the Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, the Top Doctors award, the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Service, and the Outstanding Physician Award.

Cynthia Griffith, MPAS, PA-C, personifies innovation in variety of specialties, practicing dermatology after previously co-founding the High-Risk Skin Cancer Transplant Clinic at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, a clinical initiative to serve patients who are immunosuppressed after solid organ or bone marrow transplant. Today, Griffin serves as the editor and chief of the Journal of Dermatology for Physician Assistants, the official peer-reviewed journal of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA).

Dermatology Times editorial advisory board member Amy Spizuoco, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, believes all skin concerns are unique and should be addressed as such. Spizuoco, president of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and an associate clinical instructor in the department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has a passion for innovation and technology, a topic she is honored to contribute to through her work.

These outstanding female clinicians—MDs, DOs, PAs, and more—who exemplify leadership, expertise, and dedication in dermatology, are among the many women contributing innovations to the field. Their voices reflect the innovation driving dermatology forward.

Regardless of their location, specialization, or experience, their answer to 1 question remained the same: What is the most rewarding part of your career?

Lisa Swanson, MD, an adult and pediatric clinician, active lecturer at conferences, previous president of the Colorado Dermatological Society, and member of the Dermatology Times editorial advisory board, said:

“Helping people. Helping people to feel confident. Helping people to feel like their best self.”

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, Dermatology Times editorial advisory board member and former president of SDPA, agreed:

“Whether through early detection, effective treatment, or simply providing reassurance, our work makes a significant difference.”

Leah Bressler, MS, PA-C, an NCCPA-certified clinician with over 10 years of experience in dermatology and orthopedics, summed up the sentiment shared by many clinicians:

“I take being someone’s confidant and trustee very sincerely.... I love getting to know people and making them feel welcome, comfortable, and educated on their diagnosis. But most importantly, I love lifting people up and creating a feeling of ‘together, we’ve got this.’”

Dermatology Times recognizes the importance of continually highlighting the passion and achievements in dermatology, with female researchers, leaders, and clinicians playing an important role in dermatological innovation. Although the specialty has come a long way in diversification, there is still much progress to be made. Women represent 75% of entry-level health care positions, yet they hold only 32% of C-suite roles—and just 4% of those are women of color.³

Although dermatology trends above the curve with nearly 50% of its workforce being women, individuals from populations underrepresented in medicine—including those with skin of color—make up only about 7.4% of female dermatology faculty in the US.⁴ With the US Census Bureau projecting that nearly half of the population will have skin of color by 2050, increasing diversity in research, clinical trials, and faculty is essential for true representation and equitable care.⁵ Ideally, the future of dermatology will be composed of clinicians from all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and genders united by a shared dedication to patient-centered care.

Medical Directors and Practice Leaders

Helen Torok, MD, Medical Director of Trillium Creek Dermatology

Helen Torok, MD

Why did you choose the field of dermatology?

I fully intended to be an obstetrician-gynecologist as there were very few women in this field in the 1970s. I developed an eruption during this process and had to seek dermatological care from Edmund Lowney, MD, PhD, chief at The Ohio State University. During the visit, I remarked that I didn’t like dermatology as we only had a 2-week exposure during the whole 4 years. He persuaded me to at least respect the field and added 2 months to my curriculum. Today, after 47 years in dermatology, I still am passionate and thankful for the opportunity I was given.

What is one patient interaction that you found particularly impactful?

My psoriasis patient who struggled with the disease for decades.... When the biologics became available, it was the first time she was clear. She still imagined herself…having plaques and hiding from her husband when she was undressing. We cried together. Today, it is one of the most gratifying sessions to witness atopic and psoriatic patients clear for the first time in their lives due to the miracle of biologics.

Researchers and Academic Clinicians

Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, Founder of Dermatology Consulting Services and Lead Researcher

Zoe Diana Draelos, MD

Why did you decide to pursue dermatology?

I started my career as a mechanical engineer and found that I missed the human element. This led me to medical school, where I wanted to be a pediatric cardiologist; however, I found it challenging not to be able to observe the diseased organ. During my dermatology rotation, I found that seeing the skin disease fulfilled my engineering need to observe the problem. I was immediately attracted to dermatology and have loved being a dermatologist ever since.

What is one patient interaction that you found particularly impactful?

I once had a patient with severe atopic dermatitis who told me early in my career that she wished she could unzip and take off her skin every night before she went to bed. She wanted just one moment of peace and rest from her intractable itching. Her comment helped me to always remember the tremendous burden of skin disease.

Patient Care and Transformation

Lisa Swanson, MD, Past President of the Colorado Dermatologic Society

Lisa Swanson, MD

Why did you choose the field of dermatology?

I wanted to go into dermatology because I was inspired by my own dermatologist growing up. It seemed like she could always help me with my issues, and it seemed fun to be in a specialty where you can fix most of what you see.

What is one patient interaction that you found particularly impactful?

A few years ago, I met a 35-year-old woman with a 20-year history of alopecia areata. She had always worn a wig. She had never felt comfortable dating. She was the first patient that I started on an oral JAK [Janus kinase] inhibitor (off-label tofacitinib) for alopecia areata, and she completely regrew all her hair, she started really living her life to the fullest, and she was just transformed. She got married 2 years ago! She is thriving. I still see her as a patient to this day, and it always brings tears to my eyes thinking about her journey.

Physician Assistants in Leadership and Advocacy

Laura P. Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, President of Society of Dermatology Physician Associates

Laura P. Bush, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Why did you choose the field of dermatology?

I began my career as a physician assistant in emergency medicine, where I developed my procedural skills, particularly in suturing and wound care. After 7 years, I transitioned to family practice, where I discovered a growing passion for dermatologic conditions and skin-related procedures. The combination of my procedural expertise and my fascination with treating skin diseases naturally drew me to dermatology, allowing me to blend my technical skills with my interest in providing long-term, patient-centered care. I truly feel I’ve found my professional home in dermatology.

What is one patient interaction that you found particularly impactful?

One patient interaction that stands out to me occurred during a routine skin exam. As I was assessing the patient, I noticed a large wedding ring hanging on a chain around her neck. I paused and asked if it belonged to her husband, to which she replied, “Yes.” The ring had clearly been well loved and worn over many years. The patient shared that her husband had passed away about 6 months prior after battling ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. She explained that this particular day had been especially difficult for her, and my simple acknowledgment of her husband’s ring made her feel comforted. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest acts of attention can make a world of difference.

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C, Past President of SDPA and ISDPA

Renata Block, MMS, PA-C

Why did you choose the field of dermatology?

Humans’ perceptions of themselves mainly focus on the surface, and many dermatological diseases can be secondary to an underlying problem. As a PA [physician assistant] in dermatology, it is rewarding to be able to diagnose and treat a patient’s disease and self-esteem. However, the true impact comes from patient education. Education is an essential foundation for understanding anything in life, and being on a journey with a patient who becomes knowledgeable is very impactful. It empowers them to take control of their health and well-being.

What is one patient interaction that you found particularly impactful?

One patient interaction that significantly influenced my career was when I diagnosed melanoma in a patient who was unaware of its presence. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of total body skin exams and community outreach. It also highlighted the value of our role in promoting annual checkups, as many patients perceive them as unnecessary. This interaction underscored the crucial role we play in early detection and effective treatment, further solidifying my commitment to patient care.

References

1. Ashrafzadeh S, Peters GA, Buzney EA, Lee H, Asgari MM. Gender differences in dermatologist practice locations in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis of current gender gaps. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(4):435-440. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.04.003
2. Chesak SS, Salinas M, Abraham H, et al. Experiences of gender inequity among women physicians across career stages: Findings from participant focus groups. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2022; (1):359-368. doi:10.1089/whr.2021.0051
3. Berlin G. Women in the healthcare industry: An update. News Article. McKinsey and Company. March 30, 2023. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/women-in-healthcare-and-life-sciences-the-ongoing-stress-of-covid-19
4. Narla S, Heath CR, Alexis A, Silverberg JI. Racial disparities in dermatology. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023;(5):1215-1223. doi:10.1007/s00403-022-02507-z.
5. Vespa J, Medina L, Armstrong D. Demographic turning points for the United States: population projections for 2020 to 2060. United States Census Bureau. March 2018. Revised February 2020. Accessed February 14, 2025. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p25-1144.pdf