In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Ismaël Maatouk, MD, is a dermatologist from Beirut, Lebanon. He specialized in venereal diseases in Paris, France, after completing medical school at Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon, and training in internal medicine and dermatology at Hôtel-Dieu de France in his native city Beirut, Lebanon.
Since 2014, his patients find him in the heart of Beirut—in busy Hamra—at his private clinic, which has been offering free testing for some venereal diseases, such as HIV and syphilis. In addition to his clinical practice in dermatology and his specialization in the treatment of venereal disease, Dr Maatouk is exploring molecular virology as well as clinical patient-oriented research.
He has published many articles in scientific publications on the epidemiology of venereal disease. Dr Maatouk is coordinating with governmental and international organizations as well as nongovernmental organizations to widen knowledge and improve the management of venereal disease in Lebanon.
Dr Maatouk is a big fan of history, the Lebanese singer Fayrouz (Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad), photography, and cats.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. It is difficult to select just one aspect. I have a passion for every clinical consultation and each research project. I get energy from my work and spending time with my patients. I also greatly enjoy and gain satisfaction from participating in and speaking at national and international meetings, boards, networking with colleagues, writing, and being able to contribute to the improvement and future of my specialty. But, if I have to choose one aspect, it will definitely be syphilis—the “great imitator” as called by Jonathan Hutchinson—because with it you can review many chapters of dermatology.
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Being human is the basis of doctoring. The duty of the clinician is being able to explain the physical as well as the psychological pain of the patient.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. I have no regrets knowing that I do my best in all fields I am involved in.
Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?
A. Among all my patients, every time I have to announce a venereal disease diagnosis—especially serious ones—I forget all that I have learned and act as a big brother.
Q. Which medical figure in history would you want to have a drink with and why?
A. I would choose Jonathan Hutchinson. He is recognized as the foremost British syphilologist of the 19th century. His interest in syphilis began early in his career, in 1849. His clinical conclusion about congenital syphilis, interstitial keratitis, and peculiar development of the permanent teeth (the upper incisors) was a new idea, and for many years it was not accepted. The “Hutchinson’s triad” became a password in the profession, and at 35 years of age, Hutchinson became the specialist in the “great imitator” syphilis as he named the disease. He was also the first one who proposed scientific exhibit that is now a part of medical conventions. History will probably pronounce him the greatest syphilographer of all time.
Q. What is the greatest political danger in the field of dermatology?
A. I hope that at the core of each practitioner is the identification that he is a dermatologist. The greatest political danger that I see in our field is disunity.
In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Ismaël Maatouk, MD, is a dermatologist from Beirut, Lebanon. He specialized in venereal diseases in Paris, France, after completing medical school at Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon, and training in internal medicine and dermatology at Hôtel-Dieu de France in his native city Beirut, Lebanon.
Since 2014, his patients find him in the heart of Beirut—in busy Hamra—at his private clinic, which has been offering free testing for some venereal diseases, such as HIV and syphilis. In addition to his clinical practice in dermatology and his specialization in the treatment of venereal disease, Dr Maatouk is exploring molecular virology as well as clinical patient-oriented research.
He has published many articles in scientific publications on the epidemiology of venereal disease. Dr Maatouk is coordinating with governmental and international organizations as well as nongovernmental organizations to widen knowledge and improve the management of venereal disease in Lebanon.
Dr Maatouk is a big fan of history, the Lebanese singer Fayrouz (Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad), photography, and cats.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. It is difficult to select just one aspect. I have a passion for every clinical consultation and each research project. I get energy from my work and spending time with my patients. I also greatly enjoy and gain satisfaction from participating in and speaking at national and international meetings, boards, networking with colleagues, writing, and being able to contribute to the improvement and future of my specialty. But, if I have to choose one aspect, it will definitely be syphilis—the “great imitator” as called by Jonathan Hutchinson—because with it you can review many chapters of dermatology.
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Being human is the basis of doctoring. The duty of the clinician is being able to explain the physical as well as the psychological pain of the patient.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. I have no regrets knowing that I do my best in all fields I am involved in.
Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?
A. Among all my patients, every time I have to announce a venereal disease diagnosis—especially serious ones—I forget all that I have learned and act as a big brother.
Q. Which medical figure in history would you want to have a drink with and why?
A. I would choose Jonathan Hutchinson. He is recognized as the foremost British syphilologist of the 19th century. His interest in syphilis began early in his career, in 1849. His clinical conclusion about congenital syphilis, interstitial keratitis, and peculiar development of the permanent teeth (the upper incisors) was a new idea, and for many years it was not accepted. The “Hutchinson’s triad” became a password in the profession, and at 35 years of age, Hutchinson became the specialist in the “great imitator” syphilis as he named the disease. He was also the first one who proposed scientific exhibit that is now a part of medical conventions. History will probably pronounce him the greatest syphilographer of all time.
Q. What is the greatest political danger in the field of dermatology?
A. I hope that at the core of each practitioner is the identification that he is a dermatologist. The greatest political danger that I see in our field is disunity.
In dermatology, we are fortunate to have many insightful practitioners and great teachers and mentors. Some are bright stars in our special universe–others unsung heroes. All of these colleagues have much to share, from wisdom to humor to insights into dermatology and life. This column allows us to gain insight from these practitioners and learn more about them.
Ismaël Maatouk, MD, is a dermatologist from Beirut, Lebanon. He specialized in venereal diseases in Paris, France, after completing medical school at Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon, and training in internal medicine and dermatology at Hôtel-Dieu de France in his native city Beirut, Lebanon.
Since 2014, his patients find him in the heart of Beirut—in busy Hamra—at his private clinic, which has been offering free testing for some venereal diseases, such as HIV and syphilis. In addition to his clinical practice in dermatology and his specialization in the treatment of venereal disease, Dr Maatouk is exploring molecular virology as well as clinical patient-oriented research.
He has published many articles in scientific publications on the epidemiology of venereal disease. Dr Maatouk is coordinating with governmental and international organizations as well as nongovernmental organizations to widen knowledge and improve the management of venereal disease in Lebanon.
Dr Maatouk is a big fan of history, the Lebanese singer Fayrouz (Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad), photography, and cats.
Q. What part of your work gives you the most pleasure?
A. It is difficult to select just one aspect. I have a passion for every clinical consultation and each research project. I get energy from my work and spending time with my patients. I also greatly enjoy and gain satisfaction from participating in and speaking at national and international meetings, boards, networking with colleagues, writing, and being able to contribute to the improvement and future of my specialty. But, if I have to choose one aspect, it will definitely be syphilis—the “great imitator” as called by Jonathan Hutchinson—because with it you can review many chapters of dermatology.
Q. Are an understanding and appreciation of the humanities important in dermatology and why?
A. Being human is the basis of doctoring. The duty of the clinician is being able to explain the physical as well as the psychological pain of the patient.
Q. What is your greatest regret?
A. I have no regrets knowing that I do my best in all fields I am involved in.
Q. Which patient had the most effect on your work and why?
A. Among all my patients, every time I have to announce a venereal disease diagnosis—especially serious ones—I forget all that I have learned and act as a big brother.
Q. Which medical figure in history would you want to have a drink with and why?
A. I would choose Jonathan Hutchinson. He is recognized as the foremost British syphilologist of the 19th century. His interest in syphilis began early in his career, in 1849. His clinical conclusion about congenital syphilis, interstitial keratitis, and peculiar development of the permanent teeth (the upper incisors) was a new idea, and for many years it was not accepted. The “Hutchinson’s triad” became a password in the profession, and at 35 years of age, Hutchinson became the specialist in the “great imitator” syphilis as he named the disease. He was also the first one who proposed scientific exhibit that is now a part of medical conventions. History will probably pronounce him the greatest syphilographer of all time.
Q. What is the greatest political danger in the field of dermatology?
A. I hope that at the core of each practitioner is the identification that he is a dermatologist. The greatest political danger that I see in our field is disunity.
