Patterns emerge as you experience life. An undergraduate History of Art course taken on a whim at the University of Michigan, gave me a framework for pattern recognition, which has turned into a life-long exercise for placing similar experiences into buckets 🪣. It wasn’t until I started to understand Dermatopathology in terms of which genre or artist created the process while a Dermatology resident, that I was able to understand the Dermpath paradigm and ultimately, Dermatology in general (which eruption goes with which underlying condition, which condition is associated with nature vs. nurture). The familiar is familiar because you know what to expect, even if you experience it differently from before.
My 4th visit to Angkor Wat 🗿 included another 20 mile + bike ride 🚲, and even though it wasn’t the exact same path as before, I knew what to expect and was better handle the experience, like going to a familiar ski resort or seeing a certain skin eruption, it’s that familiar look and feel which gives me comfort and brings joy to my life and career. Along my Asia journey, I ran into multiple people wearing t-shirts relating to my experiences- a Guy who had never been to Michigan and didn’t recognize his Michigan shirt in Angkor Wat, Cambodia; a man at my hotel in Phuket, Thailand wearing a Colorado Flag T-shirt unaware what it represented and an Australian man breaking the clueless shirt paradigm in a Las Vegas Shirt at the Cu Chi tunnels in Saigon- he’d actually visited Sin City. These shirts reminded me of all the times my Mom said to me, Honey, he’s wearing a Michigan shirt, you should ask him if he went there.” Next time you buy something with Kongi or other foreign lettering- hopefully you will seek to understand what it says, or maybe you’re more the style over substance type.
Lately, I’ve been more active on a Secret Dermatology Facebook chat room where colleagues present interesting and difficult cases, asking for assistance in diagnosis and treatment. Having been in practice since 2006 and studying Dermatology prior to that, I feel like the patterns and new challenges are presenting in very predictable ways. I’m motivated by the world class care we are providing patients at Las Vegas Dermatology®. From the newest anti-aging treatments using Exosomes, Salmon DNA and combination therapies to our cutting edge research on new therapies for Urticaria/Hives, I am energized at the prospect of learning more as I serve on DASIL’s– Board of Directors. Dermatology, Aesthetics, and Surgery, International League, an Organization where I speak and learn Internationally with World Renowned Colleagues.
“What does it all mean, what’s the meaning of life, what’s your purpose and how do you deal with adversity?”, my Vietnamese Dermatologist friend Dr. Peter asked me during supper with his social media famous Dermatologist wife , Dr. Hanah, at their place in Saigon after observing his laser work at Shine Premium Dermatology clinic earlier that day. A new Father to be, I told Dr. Peter, “Life means whatever you want it to mean based on your experience and world belief, it’s different for everyone and you just have to go with it”. Two people can have the same experience and come out with vastly different world views. Most people think we landed on the moon and others question whether it’s a conspiracy theory. Last Dr. Vegas Blog, I wrote about my neighbor, Jim Irwin who walked on and used a Rover on the Moon- he told me his story while I was a High School Student, my interview with Astronaut Irwin forever biased my world view.
2025 is almost done, The Derm Bros® presented at the Nevada Dermatology Society Annual meeting in Tahoe and the exceptional Las Vegas Dermatology® team of my Derm Bro David Cotter, M.D., PhD, Mohs Surgeon Sarah Bovenberg, M.D., PhD, Scott MacCleod, D.O., Joe Gurule, PA-C, Jessica Pepich, PA-C, Xin Wang, PA-C; Helen Pirtz, FNP-C, Melissa Shipp LAE and Maria Zarate, LAE are eager to help you feel and look your best. Learn more about our Providers on our website and schedule your appointment today! The Las Vegas Dermatology Foundation, our tax deductible 501c3 charity is actively supporting medical students (many presented at the Tahoe Meeting) working towards careers in the Dermatology space, sponsoring lectures and will soon be doing more community events. We could use your financial support- send checks to the office or donate via Paypal. If you or someone you know has Atopic Eczema, Hidradenitis, Psoriasis, Skin Cancer and Urticaria- we are running multiple clinical trials; visit us today.
For 5 years, I had a life coach, Joe McKenna, who passed during the pandemic. As I reviewed my, “Tuesdays with Joe” notes I came across his quote- “Try to live long enough to give back enough.” Over dinner in Saigon, I told Dr. Peter my purpose was to make the world a better place, but that the universe’s purpose for me may be different. Reflecting on Dr. Peter’s questions, I suggest you travel, explore the patterns as they emerge, bias your own world view and be open to possibilities.
The Future Awaits,
Dr. Vegas
