Dermatology Alumni

What was your career path to where you are today?

“I started medical school at Baylor, and continued, doing an internship in internal medicine and residency in dermatology. After graduating, I served as a faculty member at Baylor, got involved in clinical research, and took on the role of Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. After that, I transitioned into private practice and embraced the rise of cosmetic dermatology, building a successful practice.”

Important takeaways from your experiences?

“It was incredible to witness the continuity of care. Back when I was a resident at Baylor, Dr. John Knox was the chairman before Dr. John Wolf, and in our Thursday morning conferences at the VA, Dr. Knox would mention the dermatologists that trained him and his mentors. I love how the torch is passed to the next generation, and now to Dr. Orengo who was trained by Dr. Wolf, and now Dr. Orengo is training the next generation. I feel very proud that I trained at Baylor and that I’m part of the legacy of passing the torch on to the next generation.”

Kernels of Information from Dr. Bruce

Dr. Bruce emphasized the importance of having a strong support system, including with her husband and his MBA background helping manage the business aspects of her practice, but also the support system she had during her training under the leadership of Dr. Knox and Dr. Wolf. During her time at Baylor, she was able to encounter diverse and complex cases, giving her exposure to various skin types, setting a strong foundation for her career.

What was your career path to where you are today?

“Currently, I am the Director of Micrographic and Reconstructive Surgery at Ironwood Dermatology. I was born and raised in Houston, and grew up to two migrant parents. When was eighteen, I joined the Air Force as a pararescuemen, a group of elite special operations group of people that conduct rescue missions for the military. After 13 ½ years, I applied to medical school with three kids and a wife, and was accepted to medical school at the University of Arizona and then dermatology residency at the University of Texas in Austin. When I was interested in dermatology, I knew I wanted to become a Mohs micrographic surgeon, and applied to fellowship, and fell in love with Baylor’s program with Drs. Shimizu, Orengo, and Powell, who was the fellow at that time.”

Important takeaways from your experiences?

“When I think back, I am forever grateful for Baylor, as I have a lot of prior fellows who are now attendings, reach out to me on a regular basis. In fact, I was interacting with a group of 10 or 12 surgeons this morning! I think this is a really a reflection of the training that I received at Baylor and the mentorship that I have and still will have on a continual basis from Drs. Shimizu, Ranario, Orengo, and Nawas. The autonomy and fund of knowledge that I was able to obtain as a fellow really allowed me to flourish as an independent thinker.”

Kernels of Information from Dr. Cervantes

Dr. Cervantes emphasized the importance of connecting with patients and building trust, a practice he learned from his mentors at Baylor. He also expressed gratitude for the surgical training and autonomy he received at Baylor, which allowed him to develop his skills and confidence. Today, he still publishes research with Baylor physicians including Dr. Shimizu and Dr. Ranario, alongside Baylor medical students, coinciding with his work in consulting with a genetic expression company.