Pointers With Portela: Providing Free Dermatologic Care

Dustin Portela, DO, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Treasure Valley Dermatology in Boise, Idaho, discusses the work he has been doing to better serve homeless shelters and rural areas lacking dermatology care in one of his most recent YouTube episodes, "Transforming Skincare: My Journey to Providing Free Dermatology Care."

In this episode, Portela explains his story of the first time he treated a patient, which was during his time volunteering with the Homeless Camp Outreach Club at Des Moines University during medical school. This experience inspired Portela to want to provide free health care in whatever capacity he could.

"At that time, I decided regardless of what specialty I would become as a doctor, I wanted to essentially go and give free care," said Portela.

Since then, Portela has used the income from his social media career to purchase a motor home that he is transforming into a mobile clinic with the goal of providing as much free dermatology care to those in need as he can.

Opinions expressed are that of Portela and do not express the views or opinions of Dermatology Times®.