Special
Features / July 2007
An Unblemished Choice
 Dr. Kimberly Rossi
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By Pat Lawrence
As a little girl, all through high school and into college, Kim Rossi wanted to be a veterinarian. But, as an undergraduate, she worked with two vets who encouraged her to consider medical school instead. “The training is similar but more options and specialties are available with medical school,” she says. “I decided to switch to medicine.”
While in medical school, Kim, like many teens and young women, developed acne. “That’s when I became interested in becoming a dermatologist, so I could help people in something that was very important in their daily life. I knew from my experience how skin problems affect confidence, self-esteem and how you interact with people. Plus, dermatology gave me the opportunity to have a family and manage a practice, too.”
A minimum of twelve years of college and post graduate training is required to become a dermatologist, including graduation from a four year college, followed by four years of medical school followed by a year of post graduate training in medicine, surgery or pediatrics and a three year residency. Dr. Rossi chose medicine and performed her medical internship at CAMC. She completed her residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington at DC, and took the examinations necessary to become board certified in her specialty.
Though she specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin problems and diseases, she says, “Much of dermatology is procedure oriented, so you need to perfect minor surgical techniques. Also, there’s an overlap of dermatology and internal medicine. Although many skin diseases are isolated, some are manifestations of internal disease.” A dermatologist is schooled in aspects of surgery, rheumatology, infectiovus diseases and endocrinology.
Kim stayed on at the hospital as a member of the faculty, but gradually established a Maryland practice with her husband, also a dermatologist. When they divorced, Dr. Rossi opened her own practice in Maryland. “But, I have a lot of extended family in Kanawha and Putnam County. I knew I wanted to be in Charleston.” She brought her expertise and her daughter, Emma, back home. Emma’s nanny, Renee Ahtes, made the move, too. In 2005, Dr. Rossi opened a new practice on MacCorkle Avenue.
The three- year old Emma comes to work with her mother every day. Kim designed the office so there’s a nursery room along with the exam rooms and welcoming lobby. Kim says, “We have a web cam at the office and her father has one in his office in Maryland, so they ‘see’ each other every day. When I’m not at work, Emma’s almost always with me. Setting your own schedule is a big plus of owning your own business. And, it’s more a single doctor specialty than others.”
In her office, Dr. Rossi biopsies rashes, removes moles and warts and watches for skin cancer. And, of course, she says, “I see a lot of acne. The primary treatment for acne now is topical retinoids, to prevent clogged pores, but some patients need oral therapy or more therapy. Combination products are the latest thing.”
She sees patients of all ages. “The variety is one of the best things about being a dermatologist,” she says. “I get to see and do medical and surgical problems. I can help people manage their condition, and, sometimes, I get to make a big difference in their lives.”
For more information, contact Kimberly Rossi, MD, from 9-5, M-F, 304-342-3360 or 3100 Maccorkle Avenue, Charleston, WV.
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