- IPC GENERAL
- IPC Fellows
Rebecca Nguyen, MB BS (Hons), FACD
Skin Health Institute, Monash Health and Eastern Health
Kew East, Australia
IPC Jr. Councilor
I had the privilege of working alongside IPC Councilor Professor Carle Paul at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Toulouse, France, where we focused on treating and managing complex psoriasis patients in the inflammatory/medical dermatology clinics. Under Professor Paul’s mentorship, I gained a deep understanding of this niche field. I had the opportunity to attend clinical meetings, meet others involved in their clinical program, and attend a medical dermatology seminar with other visiting dermatologists in the department.
In addition, I attended the IPC Think Tank Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, and the World Congress of Dermatology held in Milan, Italy, where I had the pleasure of meeting other Fellows in the program and the Councilors involved in the IPC. I was thrilled to hear many of them present their exciting and varied work on psoriasis.
After completing my Fellowship in 2019, I have been one of the consultants responsible for running the inflammatory dermatology clinics that treat eczema and psoriasis in our hospital institution in Melbourne, Australia. My main focus is teaching our dermatology trainees in the field, mentoring our junior colleagues, and continuing to be involved in dermatology clinical trials.
Since completing the IPC Fellowship Program, I have actively engaged in medical education and mentoring junior colleagues. Over the last few years, I have been running online education sessions with current IPC Fellows and IPC Councilor Associate Professor Peter Foley on complex medical dermatology cases in psoriasis patients. During these sessions, we discuss different approaches to treatment and management, and it is gratifying to hear the insights of others and how we can improve our clinical care.
Apart from this, I have also been involved in medical education in my local institutions, regional areas, and the broader field of dermatology. I continue to mentor junior trainees in our dermatology program during our clinics, and it has been a fulfilling experience to see them grow and learn as healthcare professionals.
Finding new clinical research opportunities and establishing collaboration networks are always challenging tasks. IPC’s Fellowship Program offers a platform for meeting colleagues and developing and sharing ideas on new projects as they evolve. I am thankful to the IPC for providing this opportunity, which has been a unique and valuable experience, especially for a young dermatologist like myself.
“IPC’s Fellowship Program offers a platform for meeting colleagues and developing and sharing ideas on new projects as they evolve. I am thankful to the IPC for providing this opportunity, which has been a unique and valuable experience, especially for a young dermatologist like myself.”
The field of medical dermatology has experienced significant advancements in the last few years, with the emergence of various innovative treatments for difficult-to-treat conditions that were previously unavailable. Ongoing research and development have enabled us to improve our understanding of these conditions, leading to even better treatments currently in the pipeline for our patients. Dermatologists must keep informed about these advancements from various sources to provide excellent clinical care to their patients. This field will continue to evolve, and it is essential to stay up-to-date to provide the best possible care.
Looking back, taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way is crucial to increasing your involvement in different aspects of dermatology. This includes clinical work, medical education, and academic research. As a junior dermatologist, I have numerous opportunities for growth in all these areas, and it’s possible to carve out a subspecialty or niche area of interest. Building networks and connections is vital for collaboration and gaining a fresh perspective on challenges in your work. I am grateful for the chance I had early on to get involved in a program that taught me these skills.
If you are a young dermatologist or researcher passionate about improving the lives of people with psoriasis and want to expand your horizons, consider applying to participate in IPC’s International Fellowship Program. Applications for the 2025 program will open in September 2024.
