Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD

The Medical Sisterhood: Calendars, Clinics, and Chaos, With Amy Chen, MD

In this episode of The Medical Sisterhood, host Mona Shahriari, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and associate director of clinical trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology Research, is joined by her colleague and practice partner Amy Y. Chen, MD, a fellowship-trained dermatologist at Central Connecticut Dermatology and Middlesex Health. Together, the 2 physicians open up about the shared challenges of navigating demanding medical careers while raising young children, offering candid insights and practical strategies for clinician mothers.

Chen begins by describing the annual “September chaos,” when the back-to-school season collides with the unrelenting pace of clinical practice. With late school buses, shifting sports schedules, and unpredictable logistics, she stresses the importance of flexibility and organization. Her solution has been to centralize all family activities in a color-coded Google Calendar—managed solely by her—to reduce confusion, alongside weekly index cards posted at home outlining pickup and drop-off duties. These small systems, she explains, help her family maintain order amid the flux of school and extracurricular commitments.

The conversation turns to the “mental load” of motherhood, a burden that often defaults to women despite the presence of supportive partners. Chen candidly admits that she frequently wakes in the night worrying about forgotten school supplies or missed deadlines. Shahriari likens this experience to having dozens of browser tabs open at once—some frozen, some endlessly buffering—yet all demanding attention. Both acknowledge that this invisible labor can lead to burnout, underscoring the need for physician mothers to carve out moments of rest and transition.

Chen shares that she finds small windows of “me time” in unexpected places: sitting quietly in her car after work, scrolling social media before bed, or simply allowing herself to stare at the wall during her children’s practices. Shahriari echoes the importance of these mental resets, describing how she switches deliberately between her “dermatologist hat” and her “mom hat” to remain present in each role.

On parenting philosophy, Chen advises relinquishing the pursuit of perfection—accepting mismatched outfits, less-than-Pinterest-worthy lunches, or occasional scheduling mishaps as inevitable trade-offs in a busy life. For her, the non-negotiables remain high-quality patient care and being present for her children’s important moments.

Both physicians reflect on how motherhood has deepened their empathy for patients, particularly those juggling similar demands. They close by reminding listeners that self-compassion and grace are essential: even for high-achieving women in medicine, it is both normal and necessary to let some things slide.

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This episode highlights the challenges of navigating demanding medical careers while raising young children, with insights and practical strategies.

The Medical Sisterhood: A Woman’s Path to Leadership in Medicine, with Laura Ferris, MD, PhD

In this episode of The Medical Sisterhood, host Mona Shahriari, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, speaks with Laura K. Ferris, MD, PhD, a Clayton E. Wheeler, Jr. Distinguished Professor and chair of the University of North Carolina Department of Dermatology, about her unexpected path to departmental leadership, the lessons she has learned in her first year as chair, and her advice for women physicians navigating academic medicine.

Ferris begins by reflecting on her career evolution. Initially envisioning herself as a physician-scientist following a PhD in immunology, she quickly realized that basic science research’s high rate of failure did not provide the daily sense of accomplishment she sought. Her passion for immunology and patient impact drew her to 

 during the pivotal era of biologic drug development. Over time, she transitioned into a clinician and clinical trialist, which opened doors to leadership. Though Ferris once stated she “never wanted to be a chair,” her growing interest in shaping departmental culture and operations ultimately led her to embrace the challenge at UNC.

One of her early “aha” moments as chair, Ferris shares, was realizing that her voice now carried new weight—her suggestions could spark tangible institutional change. She has focused heavily on improving clinical operations to enhance both patient care and provider well-being, emphasizing that better systems can reduce burnout. While the first ten months have brought curveballs—including changes in NIH funding priorities, shifting reimbursement models in a rural safety-net hospital, and access barriers for underserved patients—Ferris stresses the importance of adaptability and creative problem-solving in leadership.

Ferris discusses the art of managing faculty expectations, particularly when resources are limited. Listening tours, she notes, are invaluable for understanding what motivates individuals across career stages. While she cannot fulfill every request, she strives to offer partial solutions, flexibility, and autonomy—factors that often matter more than salary.

On advancing women in medicine, Ferris highlights her commitment to fairness and equity, often intervening behind the scenes to ensure opportunities and compensation are justly distributed. She underscores the importance of standardized policies to prevent inequities from favoring only the most vocal or “squeaky wheel” faculty. Mentorship, she adds, is essential in helping women recognize their value and advocate for themselves.

A central theme of the conversation is learning to ask—and to tolerate rejection. Ferris urges women to push past the discomfort of advocating for authorship, leadership roles, or trial involvement, reminding listeners that “the worst someone can say is no.” She also shares her decision-making framework, the “Three F’s” (fortune, fame, fun)—with some colleagues adding a fourth, family—which guides her in discerning which opportunities to accept or decline. Early in one’s career, she advises, saying “yes” often builds experience, but as responsibilities grow, strategic “no’s” become equally powerful.

Ferris closes with a message of empowerment: physicians, particularly women, are capable of more than they often believe. Balancing family, leadership, and academia is possible, and by embracing opportunities, advocating for fairness, and modeling resilience, women leaders elevate not only themselves but the entire field.

Editor’s note: This episode summary was edited with the help of artificial intelligence tools.

Laura Ferris, MD, PhD, reflects on her unexpected path to department chair as well as the lessons of her journey as a leader in academic medicine.

The Medical Sisterhood: From MD to Medical Director—A Real Talk on Industry Careers

, host Mona Shahriari, MD, is joined by Amal Elkady, MBBCh, a physician-leader with deep roots in dermatology, immunology, and the pharmaceutical industry. Together, they explore the less-traveled path from academia to industry—a move Elkady made not out of frustration, but from an expansive desire to impact more patients worldwide.

From her early fascination with autoimmune skin diseases to conducting clinical research under Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, at Mount Sinai, Elkady shares how a single case report—on a patient with overlapping vitiligo, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and alopecia—helped propel her into the global pharmaceutical spotlight. That experience ultimately positioned her to help shape a pivotal clinical trial for vitiligo, and later, to play a key role in developing what would become an FDA-approved treatment.

Elkady speaks candidly about the mindset shift required to thrive in the industry. 

“In clinical practice, you are the final decision-maker. In industry, you are a valued collaborator,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, humility, and strategic thinking.

Throughout the conversation, both physicians reflect on the broader responsibilities women often shoulder and how those can influence their professional decisions. Elkady is passionate about representation—not just of women in leadership, but of women’s perspectives in clinical trial design and patient advocacy. She stresses that creating more genuine opportunities for women in industry leadership roles is not just about equity, but about enhancing outcomes for all patients.

Whether you're a student curious about life beyond the clinic, or a seasoned practitioner considering a new direction, Elkady’s journey offers insights into how to pursue industry roles with purpose, preparation, and authenticity.

Podcasts

Elkady joins the program to discuss her experience transitioning from patient care to clinical trials and industry. 

Advocating for Patients: Securing Access to Nonsteroidal Topicals Like Roflumilast

 RX Review Special Report, Mona Shahriari, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, sits down with David Hartigan, a biologic coordinator with Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology, to discuss strategies for overcoming access challenges to non-steroidal topicals like roflumilast foam for people with plaque psoriasis (PsO) on the scalp.

In this clip, recognizing that efficacy is irrelevant without availability, Shahriari and Hartigan share key documentation and communication tips that can help clinicians and staff navigate insurance approvals more efficiently.

Hartigan emphasizes the importance of accurate, detailed documentation—including treatment area, body surface area (BSA), and prior medication history—within provider notes and prior authorizations. He notes a recent trend in payers requesting evidence of concurrent topical therapy, especially non-steroidals, for patients already on biologics. Shahriari adds that correct ICD coding and alignment with FDA indications are essential for ensuring age- and condition-specific approval.

Both highlight the growing role of specialty pharmacies in simplifying access by applying manufacturer copay programs and proactively sourcing alternative funding. They also stress the value of persistence—sharing success stories where staff-led appeals and thorough documentation reversed initial denials. Shahriari, a patient herself, reinforces the medication’s utility as a safe, simple, and steroid-free option she routinely relies on and recommends.

Lastly, they emphasize the importance of advocacy and the responsibility clinicians and coordinators have in securing the therapies their patients need.

Editor's note: The FDA approved Arcutis Biotherapeutics's roflumilast under the name Zoryve as the first foam option available for scalp psoriasis in May 2025.

Tackling Real-World Barriers in Scalp Psoriasis Treatment Delivery

Formulation Matters: Managing Scalp Psoriasis Across Hair Types

The Role of Roflumilast in Long-Term Psoriasis Management

Counseling Patients With Psoriasis on Roflumilast and Nonsteroidal Topicals

Bridging and Enhancing Biologic Response With Targeted Topicals for Scalp Psoriasis

is Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, the Associate Director of Clinical Trials at CCD Research and a senior editor for the Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis. She also hosts 

is a biologic coordinator for Optima Dermatology and the Education Chair for Biologic Coordinators of Dermatology. 

Relevant disclosures for Shahriari include AbbVie, Dermira, Cara, Dermavant, Novartis, Union, BMS, Leo, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Regeneron, UCB, and others. Hartigan reports no relevant disclosures.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Arcutis’ ZORYVE® (roflumilast) Topical Foam 0.3% Approved by U.S. FDA for the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis in Adults and Adolescents Ages 12 and Older - Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Arcutis Biotherapeutics. Published May 22, 2025. Accessed May 22, 2025. 

https://www.arcutis.com/arcutis-zoryve-roflumilast-topical-foam-0-3-approved-by-u-s-fda-for-the-treatment-of-plaque-psoriasis-in-adults-and-adolescents-ages-12-and-older/

In this video, the last in a 6-part series, panelists discuss recent advancements in PsO management.

Mona Shahriari, MD, FAAD

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