Pioneers in Dermatology and Venereology: An interview with Professor Boni E. Elewski

Year of birth: 1953 I developed an interest in psoriasis from observing my father and aunt who suffered from severe disease, which inspired me to pursue a career in dermatology. Dr. Clayton Wheeler and Dr. Robert A. Briggaman—both at the University of North Carolina, where I trained in dermatology. I learned clinical dermatology from Dr. Clayton Wheeler, who was an outstanding clinician, but I learned dermatopathology from Dr. Robert Briggaman. My father always told me to ‘never give up’ and to persist through life's challenges. He would often remind me that within every difficulty lies opportunity. The path to dermatology has never been easy, but those words have guided me throughout the journey. I have been the President of the American Academy of Dermatology and the President of the Women's Dermatology Society. I received the ‘Gold Medal’ from the American Academy of Dermatology in 2025, which is the highest honour given by the AAD. Having spent over 45 years in dermatology, I have witnessed a paradigm shift in the management of psoriasis and eczema—transformations that now allow patients to live without the suffering these conditions once caused. These remarkable advancements, bringing transformative treatments to patients with skin disease, have truly made it an incredible journey. I love to experiment in the kitchen with cakes and frostings, and I love to travel. My favourite writer is Ken Follet while Claude Monet is the painter I love. In music, I particularly enjoy Tchaikovsky on the classical side and Neil Diamond in the pop genre. I love seeing patients in my clinic, especially those with psoriasis, and I find this to be my happiest time. Dermatology needs to continue to recruit the best and brightest residents to continue our prestigious status, but we also need to increase our numbers to provide access to all patients with skin diseases. Of particular concern are the long waits for treatment for medical dermatology and disparities in underserved communities. The rising cost of medical care is another challenge, and although transformative treatments exist, their high cost creates insurance difficulties. I hope there will be a breakthrough in the management of hidradenitis—a horrible condition that causes great suffering for those affected. Give back to the specialty and help it grow, while honouring the privilege of having been chosen to be a dermatologist. *Note: The Pioneers in Dermatology and Venereology interview was conceived and conducted by Johannes Ring. None declared.