A Conversation With Scott Stratman, MD

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Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of The Dermatologist or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.

Dr Scott Stratman is currently a PGY-3 resident in the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Florida honors program, he gained valuable experience teaching English as a Second Language in Madrid, Spain. Upon his return to the United States, he pursued an accelerated medical degree, along with a Master of Public Health degree, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. During his time there, he conducted research in wound healing, culminating in a successful clinical trial for the use of a bioelectric antimicrobial dressing in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in recognition of his commitment to academic achievement, research, professionalism, and service. He completed his internal medicine training at Mount Sinai Morningside/West and continued his dermatology training at Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to his resident responsibilities, Dr Stratman currently serves as the resident representative for the LGBTQ+ Expert Resource Group of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is also a dedicated yogi with a passionate interest in chronic wounds, wound healing, and scar revision whose contributions to the field of dermatology include numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presentations at nationally and internationally recognized conferences.

Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?

A. Each day, I have the privilege of participating in the treatment of patients who are greatly afflicted by their skin conditions. I have witnessed firsthand the resolution of debilitating inflammatory illnesses, the removal and subsequent cosmetic restoration of substantial skin cancers, and the immense relief my patients experience when I am able to treat their previously undiagnosed conditions. Moreover, I derive pleasure from working alongside a dedicated community of health care professionals who collaborate daily to deliver life-changing outcomes for our patients. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work in such a fulfilling and impactful field.

Q. What is your greatest regret?

A. I generally avoid focusing on regrets, as they consume energy that could be better spent on the present. However, if I were to reflect on the past, I wish I had spent more time cultivating belief in my own potential. We often fill our minds with feelings of inadequacy and comparison, constantly measuring ourselves against others. Had I focused on my unique qualities and strengths, I could have spared myself much unnecessary fear and anxiety. Nevertheless, I would not change anything that happened in the past; I am grateful for the journey that has led me to where I am today.

Q. Who was your hero/mentor and why?

A. Throughout my journey through medicine and into dermatology, I have been fortunate to have the guidance and support of many exceptional mentors. Roberta Knickerbocker, my guidance counselor at the University of Florida, instilled in me the valuable insight that my path to medicine could be nontraditional and that working in health care demands a commitment to self-care before being able to effectively help others.

Since embarking on my career in dermatology, I have been humbled to have the opportunity to work directly with many of my heroes and mentors, including Drs Mark Lebwohl, Alice Gottlieb, and Emma Guttman. However, one of my most profound mentors and biggest champions has been Dr Alexandra Golant, our department’s program director. She saw something special in me, even when I struggled to see it myself. Because of her unwavering belief in my abilities, I have continued to thrive and succeed within our department. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to her for her invaluable mentorship.

Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?

A. One of the patients I treated during my time at the University of Miami Wound Center will forever remain in my memory. Mr L, a long-standing patient of the center, would regularly visit for bandage changes. During these visits, we would engage in conversations about our shared interests in film and the arts, as well as our common experience as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Listening to his stories about the stigmatization he faced further solidified my belief in the importance of a personalized, empathetic approach to medicine that honors the individuality and cultural background of each patient. Inspired by our time together, I sought to advocate for and educate my own community during my time at the University of Miami. As a result, I implemented an educational module for the University of Miami dermatology residents that was designed to improve dermatologic care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received and from whom?

A. Despite never having met Brené Brown in person, I consistently seek guidance from her insightful research on shame, vulnerability, and empathy. Her advice to “talk to yourself like you would to someone you love” has become a guiding principle in my life. When we feel we are not meeting our self-imposed expectations, our minds can easily fall into a pattern of self-deprecation, criticism, and belittlement. However, by shifting our self-talk to one of self-compassion, celebrating our achievements, accepting our imperfections, and embracing failure as a valuable learning opportunity, we can unlock our full potential and become the most authentic version of ourselves.