Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAD’s Roadmap for the Early Career Clinician

In this interview with Dermatology Times, Harrison Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAD, managing director of Harrison Dermatology Research Group, and clinical assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston College of Medicine, shared practical guidance for early career dermatologists and outlined new initiatives within his practice.

Speaking during the Early Career Dermatology Initiative at Winter Clinical Miami, Nguyen focused on delivering actionable, real-world advice for physicians transitioning from residency into independent practice.¹ His panel contributions included practical pearls on billing and coding strategies to optimize reimbursement, particularly for complex medical dermatology conditions such as scarring disorders, alopecia, and hidradenitis suppurativa. He also discussed surgical considerations in hidradenitis suppurativa, emphasizing the importance of procedural competency and appropriate coding to ensure both high-quality care and sustainable practice management.

Beyond clinical operations, Nguyen underscored the importance of work–life integration and long-term professional development. A central concept he shared was building a “personal board of directors”—a network of trusted mentors and advisors who can provide guidance across clinical decision-making, career advancement, leadership growth, and personal life transitions. Drawing parallels to corporate structures, he encouraged attendees to intentionally cultivate relationships that support accountability, perspective, and resilience during the formative first years of practice.

Reflecting on what he would tell his past resident self, Nguyen emphasized that residency is not a finish line but the starting point of accelerated growth. He noted that the early attending years represent a steep and invaluable learning curve, where independent decision-making and accountability deepen clinical judgment. Maintaining a growth mindset, he advised, is essential to navigating both the successes and inevitable challenges of early practice.

“There's a tremendous period after residency where you'll continue to learn,” he added. “And for me, I think I actually learned more [in] my first year as an attending than during my time in residency.”

Nguyen also highlighted an ambitious new project: the launch of the Texas Eczema Center, a comprehensive specialty eczema center in Houston that will integrate expert clinical care with research initiatives. Notably, he plans to expand access by becoming the first private practice in Houston to accept Medicaid patients, positioning the center to make a meaningful impact on underserved populations while advancing innovation in eczema management.

Reference

1. Chovatiya R, Lewitt M, Litchman G, Murina A, Nguyen H. Early Career Dermatology Initiative. Presented at: 2026 Winter Clinical Miami Dermatology Conference; February 27-March 1, 2026; Aventura, FL.