Clinical and Academic Rotation Experience at Premier Dermatology, Virginia (January–February 2026)

I completed a two-month clinical and academic rotation at Premier Dermatology in Virginia under the supervision of Dr. Amor Khachemoune. This experience provided advanced exposure to Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology, general dermatology practice, and scientific publishing within a U.S. academic-clinical setting.

Throughout the rotation, I trained in a high-volume Mohs surgery environment and participated in approximately 130 cases involving basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and selected rare tumors. I gained comprehensive understanding of the Mohs process, including patient and lesion assessment, surgical excision, tissue orientation and mapping, frozen section preparation, histopathologic interpretation, stage-by-stage decision-making, and reconstructive planning. Particular emphasis was placed on functional preservation and strategic closure in anatomically complex sites such as the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, and fingers.

A significant component of my training involved independent evaluation of Mohs slides and map correlation under supervision, which strengthened my pattern recognition skills and clinicopathologic correlation. I also assisted in additional dermatologic surgical procedures, including cyst and lipoma excisions and standard excisions of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, allowing me to compare procedural planning and workflow across surgical settings.

Academically, I worked on five publishable projects derived from clinical cases, including rare presentations and review-based manuscripts. This process provided structured mentorship in developing case-based publications, performing focused literature reviews, identifying novelty, selecting target journals, and preparing manuscripts for submission. I also prepared scientific presentations (poster and oral formats), which enhanced my ability to communicate clinical research effectively.

Weekly interactive teaching sessions and continuous case-based discussions were central to the educational environment. I regularly summarized dermatologic literature for presentation, strengthening my critical reading and analytical skills. In addition, I was encouraged to pursue independent study, including home-based microscope review of histologic slides, which significantly improved my dermatopathology confidence and pattern recognition.

Beyond technical and academic skills, this rotation reinforced essential professional values, including communication, teamwork, punctuality, discipline, and accountability. Observing the structured workflow, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered communication in a U.S. clinical setting provided meaningful insight into the American healthcare and dermatology training system.

This rotation was transformative in both my clinical development and academic growth. It strengthened my surgical understanding, refined my research skills, and reinforced a mindset of initiative, precision, and continuous improvement that I will carry forward in my dermatology career.