A Legendary Mentor

There are few people who have a profound impact upon your life. Gary D. Monheit, M.D. is one of those people. He has freely shared his expertise, experience, and passion for the field of dermatology with numerous trainees. He has helped shape the future of dermatology for the better. He has been in the leadership of dermatologist surgery from the beginning of the field as past President of the Association of Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the Association of Surgical Faculty of the American Academy of Dermatology. Teaching residents and fellows his philosophy has been his passion in life, which is best described by this quote, “We all stand on the shoulders of giants and it is our obligation to shoulder those who follow us.”

Dr. Monheit has been practicing surgical dermatology for more than 40 years, and one of his greatest passions Is training the next generations of dermatologists. As a clinical associate professor in the UAB Department of Dermatology, he has been a mentor to many of our former and current residents and fellows. Creating an endowed professorship position in the UAB Department of Dermatology is the perfect way to honor him. It Is our goal to elevate this endowment into an endowed professorship or chair. The Gary D. Monheit, M.D., Endowed Faculty Scholar will attest to Dr. Monheit’s contributions to the field while preserving his legacy. This type of endowment supports a UAB Department of Dermatology distinguished faculty member’s efforts in:

• Research – Expanding knowledge about skin disease and exploring new treatments. Areas of research interest include vaccine development, allergic contact hypersensitivity, photoimmunology, and chemoprevention.
• Scholarly Activity – Enhancing skills in analytical thinking and rational decision making.
• Clinical Efforts – Providing comprehensive dermatological care for patients in the diagnosis and management of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and skin cancer.

Creating an endowed position at UAB is one of the most significant investments a donor can make. An endowed position helps recruit and retain the highest-quality faculty, who positively impact many lives. Whether mentoring new dermatologists, caring for patients, or conducting research in the field, dermatologists at UAB help ensure the people of Birmingham and the surrounding area have access to state-of-the-art care and procedures.

Best-In-Class Training

Dr. Monheit learned from the best. He completed his fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, where he trained under legendary surgeon Frederic Mohs, M.D. Dr. Mohs pioneered a precise surgical technique to treat cancer than bears his name. During the Mohs surgery, dermatologists and plastic surgeons progressively remove thin layers of cancerous skin and examine the progress until only cancer-free tissue remains. Dr. Monheit has since shared this training and his experience by conducting numerous Mohs surgeries with dozens of dermatologists and plastic surgeons during their one-year fellowship in Mohs and dermatologic surgery. They, in turn, have paved the way by training their own fellows. Monheit calls these his grand fellows, and he feels paternal pride toward their accomplisments. “I was fortunate to rub shoulders with people who championed dermatologic surgery. I remember first joining the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery when there were only 15 people. Now, there are 3,000 members.”

At The Forefront of Dermatology

Since the beginning of chemical peels to the early development of laser treatments in removing blemishes and rejuvenating skin, Dr. Monheit has closely followed the evolution of cosmetic dermatology. His experience has put him at the forefront of dermatology, which includes being active in the development of botulinum toxin (BOTOX). Among numerous other prestigious appointments and elections, Dr. Monheit was past president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Monheit also created a namesake peel, which has been accepted and praised as being a safe treatment for pigmentation, scarring, and wrinkles. In 1977, he started his private practice Total Skin and Beauty Dermatology Center in Birmingham, which is one of the most well-respected dermatology practices in the country. Dr. Monheit’s impressive experience has benefited countless residents and fellows in the UAB Department of Dermatology throughout the years. As a clinical associate professor, he has educated our trainees on the procedures and innovative techniques that make him so well-respected in the field.

Honoring A Remarkable Man

The establishment of the Gary D. Monheit, M.D., Endowed Professorship Position in the UAB Department of Dermatology will honor Dr. Monheit’s lifetime of work in perpetuity and preserve his invaluable contributions to the program. It will also help us attract and retain exceptional leaders and high-quality faculty, conduct cutting-edge research, and train the next generation of top dermatologists.