I Wanna Know

I Wanna Know

Hey kids! My name is Randy, and maybe you're like me and can't decide on what you want to be when you grow up. So each month I will talk to someone with a different job in Health Care . . . because I Wanna Know!

Meet Suzie Merkle. She is a dermatologist in West Bloomfield Michigan.

How did you get interested in dermatology?

When I was in medical school, we did rotations in various specialities and I decided to pursue dermatology. I liked the fact that dermatology was generally office-based rather than hospital-based.

Why did you want to work in an office rather than a hospital?

In a small office setting you have control over your staff, your hours and your billing.

What kind of training do you need for dermatology?

You do four years of medical school, then a one-year internship in internal medicine at a hospital. Then you do a three-year residency in dermatology to be board certified.

How did you find your job?

I heard about it through a drug representative. There were two dermatologist looking for a third, whom they wanted to be a woman!

How has dermatology changed in the past five years?

You need to be more knowledgeable about cosmetic dermatology. There's a large demand for things like skin rejuvenation, liposuction, sclerothe, and hair transplant techniques. You also have to keep up on the new medicines.

What is the hottest area right now?

Definitely cosmetic surgery!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Dermatology can affect both people's lives and their self-esteem, because it's visible. For me, it's immediate gratification. You see a problem, you treat it and it's gone. So it's a lot of fun.

Thanks Suzie!

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