New dermatology department to train physicians, researchers and safeguard skin health
The U of A College of Medicine – Tucson created the nation’s newest academic department to educate the next generation of dermatologists and expand research into skin cancer and diseases.
Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, MD, has been named the inaugural chair of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson’s new Department of Dermatology, a unit that was formerly housed under the college’s Department of Medicine as the Division of Dermatology.
Curiel-Lewandrowski, who was dermatology’s division chief since 2020, initiated the transition three years ago. She laid down much of the groundwork as a Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine fellow, when she created a roadmap for transforming a dermatology division into a department.
“Dr. Curiel-Lewandrowski has played an essential role in the transition of dermatology from a division in the Department of Medicine to its own department,” said Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA, the inaugural Humberto and Czarina Lopez Endowed Dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson. “Her track record of innovation as a physician-scientist and her passion for all facets of the college’s tripartite mission qualify her as the ideal inaugural chair. We are all extremely excited about the future of this new academic department under Dr. Curiel-Lewandrowski’s leadership.”
“This new department represents our commitment to serving a growing and diverse community across all aspects of our mission,” Curiel-Lewandrowski said. “We are expanding access to high-quality dermatologic care, preparing the next generation of medical professionals, and advancing research in areas such as skin cancer, complex inflammatory diseases and the effects of aging on skin health, among other fields. It’s a privilege to build a program that leverages the strengths of our institution to meet the real needs of Arizonans and beyond with purpose, innovation and collaboration.”