Dermatologist Oversees Sweeping Changes at UTHSC

Just over a year ago, Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, left her job as professor of medicine in the Division of Dermatology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Her destination was the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where in May 2013 she took over as the first chair of the new Kaplan-Amonette Department of Dermatology in the College of Medicine.

The department, upgraded from a division under the leadership of David Stern, MD, executive dean of the College of Medicine, takes its name from three supporters and benefactors – Robert Kaplan, MD; Rex Amonette, MD; and his wife, Johnnie Amonette, chairman of the Board of Directors of the UTHSC Foundation.

Schwarzenberger arrived at UTHSC amid a swirl of change. Within the new department, located in the same building as the Hamilton Eye Institute at 930 Madison, is a new dermatopathology laboratory, UT DermPath. Also, the facility includes a new UT Dermatology Clinic.

Born in Texas, Schwarzenberger lived in several parts of the country growing up, as her father was in the defense industry. Her mother was a teacher. The doctor earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed residencies at Duke.

At the request of Memphis Medical News, Schwarzenberger took time to answer questions about her upbringing, her career and even a question about her rather long last name.

What kinds of things did you like to do as a youngster?

I guess I was a tomboy, although I never set out to be one. We had a wonderful group of kids in our small town, most of whom were boys, so we played a lot of sports. I recall playing baseball and riding our bikes all over the place. I also loved to read and spent many afternoons lost in a book. Life seemed a bit simpler back then.

When and why did you decide on a career in medicine?

My mother always wanted to be a doctor, and she swore that she used to whisper “be a doctor” in my ear every night when I was asleep. I learned to love science from a special teacher in sixth grade; he challenged me to think in a way few other teachers ever have. As I progressed through my education, I considered other career opportunities. I actually started college as journalism major, but I always felt myself drawn back to medicine.

Why did you decide on dermatology as a specialty?

I was halfway through my internal medicine residency when I realized that the diseases that really caught my interest, such as autoimmune and infectious diseases, often involve the skin. I was amazed by the skill of some of the dermatologists I worked with who could walk in the room, look at the patient and make a diagnosis just by looking at the skin. I was also impressed by the fact that most of the dermatologists I know really, really love their jobs.

When you were at the Vermont College of Medicine, how did you learn that UTHSC was interested in bringing you to Memphis?

Dr. Rex Amonette, a phenomenal Memphis dermatologist and one of our profession’s most respected senior members, sought me out at a meeting and told me about an “amazing opportunity in Memphis” that he thought I might want to consider.  He was right! Our executive dean, Dr. David Stern, took over the recruitment, after which I had no choice but to say “yes!”

Were you ready for the next stage of your career, or was it difficult to tear yourself away from Vermont?

We loved our time in Vermont, but both my husband, Dr. Roger Young, an OB/GYN, and I were excited about the many opportunities for personal and professional growth that we saw here in Memphis. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is an amazing place, with many talented physicians and researchers with whom we collaborate. We both hope that we can do some good here.

What are your feelings about Memphis now, a year or so later?

We love it here.  It is a beautiful city (OK, in full disclosure, I am not thrilled with some of the drivers here) and I think Memphians are some of the most sincere and kind people I have ever had the privilege of being with. And who can argue with the ribs?

You arrived to oversee a new Department of Dermatology, a new dermatopathology laboratory and a new UT Dermatology Clinic. Sounds like a daunting challenge. How would you describe it?

It is a privilege to work here.  I have wonderful colleagues who share my passion for building a well-rounded department that will help provide for the dermatologic needs of all of Memphis and the surrounding areas.

Has any of them been a bigger or more time-consuming challenge than the others?

No, not really.  On any given day, my energies may be focused on one aspect of the department more than another. When I first arrived, my main thrust was getting our new clinic at 930 Madison built and our clinical enterprise fully launched. Now that our clinic is up and running and we are seeing patients every day, I am able to focus on helping build the department with several key faculty recruitments.  In the next year, we hope to add a pediatric dermatologist, who will be based at Le Bonheur, a surgical dermatologist, and at least one additional medical dermatologist.

After a little over a year on the job, what has surprised you? What has pleased you the most?

I have been both surprised and delighted to experience the incredible spirit of philanthropy that Memphians have. Our department has been the recipient of many gifts that are helping us grow in many ways.

What is going on at the Department of Dermatology that is interesting and noteworthy?

A goal of our department is to have every faculty member develop an area of clinical expertise that will offer specialized dermatologic care that might not otherwise be available in the community. In some cases, this will allow us to collaborate with other healthcare providers to care for our patients. For example, Dr. Kris Fisher in our group has a growing expertise in the management of cutaneous lymphomas, a type of cancer. He works closely with several cancer specialists in the community. Dr. Tejesh Patel has done research into causes of itch. I have a background in immunology and often see patients who have autoimmune diseases that affect the skin. I am also doing extended patch testing to help diagnose patients with chronic eczema who might have developed an allergic contact dermatitis. We are recruiting a pediatric dermatologist who we hope will help enhance the local care for children with vascular lesions, including hemangiomas. We hope to develop our clinical research program as our faculty grows.

What is going on there now that wasn’t possible before the Division of Dermatology was upgraded?

The university has been incredibly generous in its support of the department, which has and will continue to allow us to grow. We have also had amazing support from our department namesakes, Dr. Robert J. Kaplan and Dr. Rex and Mrs. Johnnie Amonette.  They have provided support on so many levels, not the least of which has been financial. Without their support, we would not be here.

What is the biggest challenge or concern for dermatologists in 2014?

The practice of medicine is changing rapidly and many of the challenges faced by dermatologists are being experienced by all physicians. One of my biggest concerns is the potential impact of electronic health records on our practice.  While EHRs do have definite benefits, I worry that bringing a computer into the room requires that I spend more time looking at a screen than my patient. Much of what I do, and what I love most about being a doctor, is interacting with my patients.  I worry that the computer may interfere with that special relationship.

Is there an honor or award that you’ve received that you’re most proud of?

Before I left Vermont, I was integrally involved in a successful effort to get the Vermont Legislature to ban minors from using indoor tanning devices. As a dermatologist and mother, this is an issue that I am very passionate about. We are seeing a frightening increase in the incidence of the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma, particularly among young women. We believe that indoor tanning is a significant risk factor for this and other types of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society gave me a lovely plaque thanking me for my efforts. I hope that our efforts will prevent at least a few individuals from having to face this potentially devastating diagnosis.

Your husband, Roger Young, is an OB/GYN researcher on the faculty at UTHSC. After marriage, you kept your birth name professionally. Do you have children, and if so, are any old enough to be in healthcare or thinking about a career in medicine?

Schwarzenberger is my family name. I got married in mid-career and figured there would be too much paperwork to change it.  We have one child, Jackson, who goes to school at Lausanne. He plays baseball and has absolutely no intention of going into medicine. He plans to be a corporate CEO someday.

Silly question, but has anyone ever called you Schwarzenegger by accident?

All the time!  I can only wish . . .