Pathologists in Training Member Community

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

This largely depends on individual circumstances. Securing an academic appointment at a neighboring teaching institution is often feasible when one VOLUNTEERS for teaching. I obtained my appointment at Loyola through volunteer teaching, and being an alumnus with established connections provided an additional advantage. Because the role does not involve clinical sign-out, non-compete clauses are typically not applicable. However, if sign-out responsibilities are anticipated, it's important to coordinate with your primary employer to address any contractual limitations.

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions this week Dr. Ahmed! This question might be silly, but when you transition from being a fellow to an attending, especially at the same institution or when working with people you've worked with before, how do you then transition from being their student to their colleague? Any advice is appreciated! 

------------------------------
Sri Kavuri
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore MD

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 16:24
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

This largely depends on individual circumstances. Securing an academic appointment at a neighboring teaching institution is often feasible when one VOLUNTEERS for teaching. I obtained my appointment at Loyola through volunteer teaching, and being an alumnus with established connections provided an additional advantage. Because the role does not involve clinical sign-out, non-compete clauses are typically not applicable. However, if sign-out responsibilities are anticipated, it's important to coordinate with your primary employer to address any contractual limitations.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 10:29
From: Lauren Miller
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Dr. Ahmed, 

I have an additional question on behalf of another 4th year AP/CP resident interested in multiple fellowships:

"Regarding dual subspecialty board certification, is it easier to find jobs? And how do you balance two subspecialty sign-outs?"

Thank you!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:03
From: Sri Kavuri
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions this week Dr. Ahmed! This question might be silly, but when you transition from being a fellow to an attending, especially at the same institution or when working with people you've worked with before, how do you then transition from being their student to their colleague? Any advice is appreciated! 

------------------------------
Sri Kavuri
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore MD

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 16:24
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

This largely depends on individual circumstances. Securing an academic appointment at a neighboring teaching institution is often feasible when one VOLUNTEERS for teaching. I obtained my appointment at Loyola through volunteer teaching, and being an alumnus with established connections provided an additional advantage. Because the role does not involve clinical sign-out, non-compete clauses are typically not applicable. However, if sign-out responsibilities are anticipated, it's important to coordinate with your primary employer to address any contractual limitations.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 10:29
From: Lauren Miller
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Dual board certification definitely gives you more lanes to drive in but that also depends on the right combo and the practice setting. In the current job market, many practices are shifting back toward broader, more general sign-out models, so the expectation to cover more than one area is common whether you're double-boarded or not. In that sense, versatility matters just as much as formal certification/fellowship. Balancing two subspecialty sign-outs varies by group: some split your time, others give you a primary service with a smaller secondary focus. And sometimes you may have to let go of one, as I had to do after first few years of doing both heme and derm. 

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:10
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Dr. Ahmed, 

I have an additional question on behalf of another 4th year AP/CP resident interested in multiple fellowships:

"Regarding dual subspecialty board certification, is it easier to find jobs? And how do you balance two subspecialty sign-outs?"

Thank you!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:03
From: Sri Kavuri
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions this week Dr. Ahmed! This question might be silly, but when you transition from being a fellow to an attending, especially at the same institution or when working with people you've worked with before, how do you then transition from being their student to their colleague? Any advice is appreciated! 

------------------------------
Sri Kavuri
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore MD

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 16:24
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

This largely depends on individual circumstances. Securing an academic appointment at a neighboring teaching institution is often feasible when one VOLUNTEERS for teaching. I obtained my appointment at Loyola through volunteer teaching, and being an alumnus with established connections provided an additional advantage. Because the role does not involve clinical sign-out, non-compete clauses are typically not applicable. However, if sign-out responsibilities are anticipated, it's important to coordinate with your primary employer to address any contractual limitations.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 10:29
From: Lauren Miller
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------

Hi Dr. Ahmed,

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

I was wondering what's the best advice you received early in your pathology career and how did that advice shape the way you practice today?

------------------------------
Breann Zeches, MD
Neuropathology Fellow
Resident Council
Nashville, TN

Original Message:
Sent: 11-15-2025 12:22
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Dual board certification definitely gives you more lanes to drive in but that also depends on the right combo and the practice setting. In the current job market, many practices are shifting back toward broader, more general sign-out models, so the expectation to cover more than one area is common whether you're double-boarded or not. In that sense, versatility matters just as much as formal certification/fellowship. Balancing two subspecialty sign-outs varies by group: some split your time, others give you a primary service with a smaller secondary focus. And sometimes you may have to let go of one, as I had to do after first few years of doing both heme and derm. 

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:10
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Dr. Ahmed, 

I have an additional question on behalf of another 4th year AP/CP resident interested in multiple fellowships:

"Regarding dual subspecialty board certification, is it easier to find jobs? And how do you balance two subspecialty sign-outs?"

Thank you!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:03
From: Sri Kavuri
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions this week Dr. Ahmed! This question might be silly, but when you transition from being a fellow to an attending, especially at the same institution or when working with people you've worked with before, how do you then transition from being their student to their colleague? Any advice is appreciated! 

------------------------------
Sri Kavuri
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore MD

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 16:24
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

This largely depends on individual circumstances. Securing an academic appointment at a neighboring teaching institution is often feasible when one VOLUNTEERS for teaching. I obtained my appointment at Loyola through volunteer teaching, and being an alumnus with established connections provided an additional advantage. Because the role does not involve clinical sign-out, non-compete clauses are typically not applicable. However, if sign-out responsibilities are anticipated, it's important to coordinate with your primary employer to address any contractual limitations.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 10:29
From: Lauren Miller
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thanks for chatting with us Dr. Ahmed!

I have a follow up question about practice setting - how do you balance a dual appointment between private practice and academics? Was it difficult to secure employment with this practice model? Did you have to deal with any non-compete clauses in your contracts?

------------------------------
Lauren J. Miller, MD, MJ
Michigan Medicine
Ann Arbor, MI

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 20:40
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you for such a thorough response, Dr. Ahmed! These are topics that come up frequently among trainees. I greatly appreciate your insight, as you have experience in both settings. This is very helpful information to the trainees on our community!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 11:04
From: Aadil Ahmed
Subject: Ask Me Anything

1. Both private practice and academic dermatopathology offer rewarding yet distinct career paths. 

In private practice, one of the biggest advantages is efficiency and autonomy. You often have greater control over your workflow, diagnostic approach, and practice management decisions. The volume is typically high and you are signing out every day without any 'off-service' time that one may get in academics. The reimbursements are higher and the difference is usually 100k or higher between academics and private practice. 

The challenges include less protected time for research, teaching or 'catching up' on your cases. Clinicians heavily depend on our guidance in terms of management and success often depends on proactive communications, writing optimal, concise and focused reports, client relations and business acumen. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on one's professional goals and personal values.

2.  My main advice would be to build strong fundamentals before fellowship, both in dermatology and pathology. Understanding clinicopathologic correlation is key, so try to review cases with dermatology colleagues whenever possible. Learn the language of dermatology: patterns of disease, clinical morphology, and most importantly, treatment implications. Equally important is to hone your morphologic eye and comfort with routine H&E diagnosis before relying on immunostains or molecular tools. Fellowship is about depth and synthesis, the better your general pathology foundation, the more you'll gain. Dermatopathology is nuanced and interpretive (subjective to some extent), the best fellows are curious, collaborative, and willing to learn from every case, even the 'easy' ones. 

For those who are seeking fellowship in dermpath, start early as possible. Seek mentorship, get involved in research, rotate at external institutions (when possible) and network. Networking is valuable but can be double edged sword if not properly conducted. Reaching out to program directors or established dermatopathologists can open doors and provide perspective, but it's equally important to be respectful of their time and maintain professionalism. Thoughtful, genuine interactions go much further than transactional ones.

------------------------------
Aadil Ahmed
Illinois Dermatology Institute
Park Ridge IL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 10:08
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Thank you, Dr. Ahmed, for joining us this week! I'll start off this session with a question:

From your perspective, what are the biggest advantages and challenges of private practice compared to an academic dermatopathology setting that trainees should take into consideration when looking for post-fellowship job opportunities?

Secondly, do you have any advice for residents who are interested in a dermatopathology fellowship or have already matched that you think could benefit them prior to beginning fellowship?

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2025 09:55
From: Tayler Gant
Subject: Ask Me Anything

Hello all!

We are very excited to have Dr. Aadil Ahmed as our featured AMA guest for this week! Dr. Ahmed is board certified in AP/CP, hematopathology and dermatopathology. He is the director of dermatopathology at the Illinois Dermatology Institute in Chicago and also holds appointment as an assistant professor in the department of pathology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ahmed, and ask him any and all questions you have this week!

------------------------------
Tayler Gant, DO, MS
Cedars Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, CA
------------------------------