The Trodden and Untrodden Path: Mentorship, Innovation, and Leadership in Dermatology

Leadership in dermatology develops through both established and novel pathways. As requested by the Editor of this edition of the Dermatologic Clinics, using the career of Darrell S. Rigel, MD, MS, as a framework, this article explores how mentorship, early service, clinical expertise, communication, volunteer leadership, educational platform-building, and succession shape physician leadership. The trodden path represents the established structures of mentorship, training, professional societies, and service. The untrodden path begins when a physician recognizes an unmet need and builds something useful in response.