Clinical Pearls for Optimizing Dermatologic Care
Recorded On: 06/11/2026
Regardless of the provider-type, the practice of clinical medicine has elements of both a science and an art. While fundamental core knowledge is always important, hard-won experience can also result in better patient care episodes. In this session, experienced dermatology professionals will share "pearls" of wisdom with regard to the practice of general clinical dermatology. Drs. Rosen and Zirwas will focus on non-medication pearls.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize situations in neoplastic dermatology where biopsy technique may impact the ultimate assessment, to include specifically the concepts of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and angiosarcoma, where a shave biopsy or even a small/shallow punch biopsy may be insufficient to exclude the diagnosis.
- Utilize select dietary maneuvers to manage skin diseases
- Employ a laser to treat hard to treat skin disease
Whitney High, MD, JD, MEng
Professor, Dermatology
University of Colorado
Whitney A. High, MD, JD, MEng, is a native of Colorado, and is the director of the laboratory and is board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He also has certification in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. After practicing as a chemical engineer in industry, Dr. High returned to medical school to receive his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine in 2000. Dr. High completed his dermatology residency training at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2004, serving as Chief Resident, and his dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Colorado in Denver in 2005. He has been on the University of Colorado faculty for 2 decades. Dr. High also holds a law degree from the University of Denver, which he received in 2009.
Douglas DiRuggiero, DMSc, MHS, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Dermatology
Douglas DiRuggiero has 23 years of clinical experience in Dermatology. He is a nationally recognized medical lecturer, accomplished founder and President of several dermatology societies, and a passionate dermatology teacher. Douglas has been awarded clinical precepting awards by NP, PA and residency programs, Humanitarian PA of the Year for the state of Georgia, and named the National Dermatology PA of the Year by both the SDPA and the POCN Network. He was named the Dermatology Medical Educator of the Year in 2022 by the SDPA. He completed a Doctorate of Medical Sciences degree with an emphasis in Health Care Leadership and Evidence-Based Research in 2019.
Ted Rosen, MD
Professor and Vice-Chair
Baylor College of Medicine
After attending Michigan State University as a National Merit Scholar, Dr. Rosen graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School cum laude. He trained in internal medicine at the University of Alabama and in dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine where he currently serves as Professor and Vice-Chair of Dermatology. Dr. Rosen served on the Board of Directors and is past Vice-President of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is a past Vice-President of Texas Dermatological Society, a past-President and Secretary-Treasurer of the Houston Dermatological Society and prior Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of the Dermatology Section, Southern Medical Association. Dr. Rosen has written over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, 26 textbook chapters and 4 textbooks. He was a plenary speaker for the national dermatology societies of Mexico, Argentina, Chile, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. He is a diehard Chicago Cubs fan, numismatist and devotee of horror films.
Matthew Zirwas, MD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
DOCS Dermatology
Matthew Zirwas, MD is an American Board of Dermatology certified physician. He is a nationally known expert who has been specializing in contact dermatitis, pruritus, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis for the last 20 years.
His passion figuring out the real, practical, take-home messages that we can get from the medical literature. Not just reciting ‘the data’ or what the authors said, but synthesizing it and putting it in the context of how it can help patients. Basically figuring out ‘what this study REALLY means’ and ‘how does this connect to what we already know’, then explaining it in a practical, relatable, entertaining and memorable way.
In Dr. Zirwas’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his kids and cats. In that order.
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