As an allergy-prone teenager, I had skin problems beyond those experienced by the typical adolescent. It was during those young years when I realized the importance of an experienced dermatologist.
At the time, I visited a well-respected dermatologist in the Pittsburgh area, who treated me for a reaction I had developed to an over-the-counter acne product. I had subsequent visits to his office for treatment of my eczema, other allergic reactions, and acne, and each time he gave me great insight into what a dermatologist does for people, beyond treating them for basic skin problems.
I chose medicine in college, not just because of my childhood experience, but because I enjoyed math, chemistry and science. My first goal was to become a medical researcher, but I soon learned that research was not a people-oriented profession and I wanted to be able to work with patients on a daily basis.
As a student physician at Howard University Medical School, I took a dermatology elective and learned that my life experiences as a dermatology patient made it easy to relate to others and understand their skin conditions. It was that elective at medical school that reinforced my interest in becoming a dermatologist. I continued my education and was board certified in dermatology in 1987.
My experience has taught me that good medicine is more than just talking to people and shuffling them off with a prescription. I believe the most important part of treating my patients is educating them about their conditions, and using their medical history to discover advanced solutions.
-Toni C. Stockton, M. D.
