UAMS Dermatologists Lead National Group Two Years in a Row
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LITTLE ROCK — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) dermatopathologist Bruce R. Smoller, M.D., is the new president-elect of the American Society of Dermatopathology, marking the second straight year a UAMS professor has held the prestigious post.
Thomas D. Horn, M.D., chairman of the Department of Dermatology in the UAMS College of Medicine, assumed the role of society president at the same October meeting at which Dr. Smoller was elected, having completed his year as president-elect.
The two-year hold on the presidency by one institution is thought to be unprecedented in the society’s nearly 40-year history. “I’m not aware of it ever happening before,” the society’s administrator, Leah McCrackin, said.
Dermatopathology is the study of the causes of skin diseases.
“We’re just in a very prominent position nationally and internationally in terms of service to the field of dermatopathology and in terms of leadership positions,” Dr. Horn said. “It was important to both of us to come together to create a first class dermatopathology program that would grow.”
The two men, friends and colleagues since the early 1990s, arrived at UAMS on the same day in 1997. Dr. Horn moved to Little Rock from Baltimore, Md., where he was director of the Division of Dermatopathology and associate professor of pathology and dermatology at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Smoller came from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Ca., where he was a professor of pathology and dermatology and director of the dermatopathology section. Dr. Horn has been chair of the UAMS department since his arrival. Dr. Smoller is professor of pathology and dermatology, and vice-chair for educational activities in the Department of Pathology.
“I’m incredibly honored and flattered to be thought of in these terms by my colleagues,” Dr. Smoller said of his election by the society’s eight-member Board of Directors. “It makes me feel old because I remember what I used to think of folks who had positions like this one when I started out.” Both men are 45.
Dr. Horn said his selection a year ago was primarily a reward for meritorious service to the society. He served four years as secretary/treasurer, the longest term ever served by an officer. However, as president, Dr. Horn will have an opportunity to set the policy and agency for the society in the coming year.
“My interest is in promoting the society for the unique body of knowledge and practice that dermatopathologists have in interpreting skin biopsies,” he said. “No one can read skin biopsies like we can. Almost everyone at sometime in their lives will have something removed from their skin. And they want to have that read properly.”