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Shannon excited about academic medicine by Michael Baker Public Relations If passion and enthusiasm are key components to a successful career, then the future appears bright for one of MUSC’s newer faculty members. Amie Shannon, M.D., Department of Dermatology, beams with quiet excitement when talking about her blossoming career at the university.  Dr. Amie Shannon “I’ve always been intrigued by academic medicine and the challenges it presents, and dermatology is especially exciting,” she said. “Integrating the studies of both infectious diseases and diseases of the skin is fascinating.” Some people might attribute her eagerness to her newcomer status, but in this case, a fresh face doesn’t signify an amateur. More accurately, Shannon brings an interesting combination of experience and youth to MUSC. Although she’s in the midst of her first year as an assistant professor in dermatology, she also spent the previous four years in the university’s residency program. Prior to arriving at MUSC, she studied in her home state of Louisiana, becoming the first member of her family to attend college. Shannon took the distinction seriously, graduating second in her class from Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine. Now, she applies her academic aptitude in Charleston, practicing clinical medicine with an emphasis on both pediatric dermatology and infectious disease dermatology. Of the two concentrations, the former remains especially important to her. “In dermatology, the best place to start is with small children,” Shannon said. “Many people don’t realize that the majority of sun damage to a person’s skin occurs between birth and the age of 18. Part of my job is to educate people in preventative measures.” However, after a patient develops a skin condition, and it’s too late for prevention, Shannon converts to the more traditional healing role. In such situations, she demonstrates her fondness for the direct, cognitive aspects of dermatology. “When a patient walks into the office, the diagnosis usually is sitting right in front of me,” she said. “Instead of using a lot of special instruments or technology, I get to use my clinical knowledge to figure out the problem.” Sometimes, the ability to diagnose skin conditions helps avoid a potentially life-threatening situation. Shannon explained that although many people think of dermatology with regards to treating acne, warts, or dermatitis, the field also deals with a much bigger issue. “Dermatologists conduct lots of skin exams, and we’re always on the lookout for skin cancer,” she said. “We’re often the first to diagnose it, and if we catch it early enough, skin cancer is surgically curable.” Even when a skin condition isn’t life-threatening in the traditional sense, it can wreak havoc on a patient’s world. Shannon understands that the superficial nature of many skin conditions can have a severe impact on patients’ daily lives. “During a clinical visit, a woman came into my office in tears,” she recalled. “She had chronic psoriasis, and it was having a dramatic effect on her home life, to the point where her family was avoiding her.” After examining the woman, Shannon prescribed a new medication. One month later, the woman returned to the office with 80 percent of the condition cleared. “She was practically skipping through the office,” Shannon said. “It’s so rewarding to see the dramatic effects of some of our new and emerging therapies.” While Shannon proves her expertise to patients, she also has caught the attention of her colleagues at MUSC. On March 19, she will be the guest speaker for a presentation in the Storm Eye Institute sponsored by the Department of Pediatrics. Shannon will talk about skin diseases in neonatal patients. “When a newborn develops a skin condition, regardless of the severity, it’s a scary situation for parents,” she said. “My goal is to clarify when parents and pediatricians should worry and what steps they should take in the children’s treatments.” The topic of her presentation reminds her of another reason why she loves dermatology so much. “That’s what is so great about my job,” she said. “I get to see people in every stage of life, from babies in their first days to more elderly men and women.” And Shannon appreciates the opportunity to share her knowledge with others. “One of the goals of every dermatologist is to educate the public,” she explained. She added that her peers’ confidence in her—asking her to speak for the presentation despite being a newer faculty member of MUSC—is thrilling. “I’m very flattered, but at the same time it’s a little unnerving,” she confessed. Her response reveals another side to the enthusiastic young doctor. Although Shannon appears very assertive in conversation, she maintains that she was very quiet during her residency and likes to work behind the scenes whenever possible. Still, her passion for dermatology shines through when it counts.  “I love working in a clinical setting,” she said, “and I hope that my patients understand how interested I am in their care.”  Friday, March 12, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.