Dr. Ana Beatriz Possa de Abreu, MD (Brazil)

Mentor: Dr. Lidia Rudnicka, MD

Warsaw, Poland. 2019

What was your overall goal participating in this mentorship?

My main goal was to seize the opportunity to improve my knowledge in trichoscopy and trichology. Another important objective was to share Brazilian experiences and studies during my stay.

What did you like best about your mentorship experience?

This opportunity was wonderful as it was an exchange of medical learning and cultural experiences. What I liked most was that these exchanges occurred within the world of dermatology. I had the opportunity to study diseases that are uncommon in my department in Brazil and how to treat them. Another very important aspect was to dive deeper into the study of trichology and trichoscopy with excellent and experienced doctors.

Describe any special experiences with your mentor.

The most special experience and challenging activity was my lecture to the entire Dermatology Department at the University of Warsaw, with my mentor, the brilliant Dr Lidia Rudnicka, in the audience. My lecture focused on a case report of a patient from Brazil, and I really enjoyed giving back some knowledge. The mentorship program was truly a great learning exchange.

Describe a skill acquired during your mentorship that you will definitely use when you return home.

I learned a great deal about clinical hair and scalp examination, trichoscopy, and the treatment of hair diseases. I attended multiple trichology and trichoscopic outpatient clinics with interesting and challenging cases.

How will your mentorship experience impact your patient care and professional goals over the next year?

Over the next year, I will be able to put into practice different clinical approaches and treatments that I learned during the mentorship program. In addition, I will share this knowledge with those in my department in Brazil.

How will your mentorship experience make an impact five years from now, including for your region or country?

It was an experience that took me out of my comfort zone and made me face challenges. I now have a more proactive attitude, both personally and professionally. This will have an impact on my entire medical career, especially with difficult and challenging cases that require more wisdom and dexterity from the doctor. I know I will continue to apply the knowledge I gained during this mentorship.

Share a pearl you learned during your mentorship experience.

I learned how to perform nail surgery, in particular how to do a nail matrix biopsy in cases of melanonychia. Another interesting experience was in the immunopathology laboratory where I saw the practical aspects of doing immunofluorescence studies.