Dr. Tizita Yosef Kidane, MD (Ethiopia)

Mentor: Dr. Jacek Szepietowski, MD 

Wroclaw, Poland. 2019

During her three-month training in dermatosurgery in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at the Wroclaw Medical University in Wroclaw, Poland, Dr. Tizita Yosef of Ethiopia appreciated the efforts of her mentor and Chair of the Department, Professor Dr. Jacek C. Szepietowski.

In the Dermatovenereology Department at her medical school in Ethiopia, subspecialty programs are lacking in this relatively young department, and there is no official way to become a dermatologic surgeon. One way of accomplishing subspecialty training is to be a visiting scholar at a world-class medical center.

During her stay in Poland, Dr. Yosef was integrated into the daily activities of the dermatosurgery unit, observing and assisting in a variety of surgical cases, from the preoperative evaluation to the actual surgery to the postoperative care. They excised benign and malignant skin tumors, performed different types of biopsies (e.g. of the nail unit), and corrected scars and rhinophyma. She also had the opportunity to train in cryosurgery, electrosurgery, laser surgery, and Mohs micrographic surgery, observing firsthand how a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care that includes plastic surgeons provides optimal support for complex and difficult cases.

In addition, Dr. Yosef had the opportunity to participate in the general dermatology clinic, allowing her to renew her enthusiasm for her profession by observing a different way of practicing dermatology. She found the entire staff in the department to be friendly, welcoming, and truly passionate about pursuing their goals.

Whilst in Wroclaw, Dr. Yosef attended several scientific meetings including an ISD Regional Meeting where she was thrilled to meet the President of the ISD, Dr. George Reizner. This provided her with the opportunity to sharehow important the ISD mentorship program was to her.

”I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Dr. Jacek C. Szepietowski for being my very supportive mentor. I will be forever grateful for his generous guidance and kindness. This ISD scholarship will now allow me to institute new ways of teaching and practicing skin surgery in Ethiopia.” -- Dr. Tizita Yosef