Current Dermatology Residents

Sheetal Sethupathi, M.D.

Co-chief resident

Hometown: Forsyth, Illinois
Undergraduate: Saint Louis University
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Intern year: St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, procedural dermatology, hair loss, cosmetic dermatology
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: My first time shadowing a dermatologist when I saw my attending utilize clues from the skin exam to diagnose systemic disease! 
Extracurricular interests: Running, cooking, hiking, trying new restaurants
If I were a dermatology diagnosis I would be: Polymorphic light eruption because I enjoy outdoor activities, as long as there’s lots of sunscreen! 

Laura Upton, M.D.

Hometown: St. Joseph, Michigan
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical school: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Intern year: Saint Louis University Internal Medicine
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, psoriasis, lupus, biologics, Janus kinase inhibitors, lasers, health policy
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: Dermatology rotation in medical school
Extracurricular interests: Equestrian sports, mountain biking, skiing, premade meals, sleeping, and walks with my German Shepherd 
If I were a dermatology diagnosis I would be: cherry hemangioma

Jordan Tanner, M.D.

Hometown: Issaquah, Washington
Undergraduate: Brigham Young University 
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Intern year: Spokane Teaching Health Center - Transitional Year
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, surgical dermatology, dermatopathology 
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: During intern year when at a family gathering I noticed that my older brother's new skin lesions were suspicious for psoriasis.
Extracurricular interests: Skiing, rock climbing, hiking, board games, traveling
If I were a dermatology diagnosis I would be: Keratosis pilaris, because it's benign and everybody's okay with a little 

Laura Russell, M.D. -Co-chief resident

Hometown: Hannibal, Missouri
Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical school: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
Internship: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, autoimmune dermatology, rheumatology/dermatology overlap
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: I first became interested in dermatology in medical school when I learned about the interesting pathophysiology of skin disease.
Favorite part about SLU dermatology: The diversity of interests, research, and backgrounds of the people in the department.
If I were a dermatology diagnosis I would be: A normal nail plate, tough and functional.

Katelyn Dugan, M.D. 

Kansas Access Track

Hometown: Clearwater, Kansas
Undergraduate: Kansas State University 
Medical school: University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
Intern year Program: University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology 
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: During my family medicine rotation, when I helped diagnose a patient with basal cell carcinoma. 
Extracurricular interests: Running, baking, and spending time with family and friends. 
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: A halo nevus

Jamie Hanson, M.D.

Hometown: Clarkston, Michigan
Undergraduate: Michigan State University 
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine 
Intern year program: General surgery, Saint Louis University School of Medicine 
Dermatology interests: general dermatology, cutaneous oncology, dermatopathology 
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: I knew this field was the right fit when I rotated in a dermatology clinic as a third-year medical student, and I have spent every rotation falling more in love with this amazing specialty!
Extracurricular interests: running, painting, baking, playing with my labrador retriever (Jasmine), trivia 
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: molluscum contagiosum 

Cory Jonak, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis 
Undergraduate: University of Missouri
Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Intern year program: Saint Louis Children's Hospital 
Dermatology interests: Pediatric dermatology and genetic skin disorders
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: In college while working for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias I remember thinking, how cool would it be, as someone with this condition, to become a dermatologist and help treat other kids and families going through the same struggles my family and I once had!?
Extracurricular interests: Cooking, backpacking, fishing, volleyball, pickleball
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: Granuloma annulare. My journey to dermatology has finally come full circle.

Samantha Ong, M.D.

Hometown: Ridgeland, Mississippi
Undergraduate: Barnard College of Columbia University
Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Intern year program: Ascension Resurrection Medical Center - Transitional Year
Dermatology interests: Skin of color, hair and nails, general dermatology
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: during my dermatology elective as a third year medical student
Extracurricular interests: Fashion design, nail art, crochet 
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: Trachyonychia 

Steven Townsend, M.D.

Hometown: Northville, Michigan
Undergraduate: Michigan State University 
Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Intern year: Wayne State Transitional Year
Dermatology Interests: General dermatology 
Moment I first saw myself as a dermatologist: After my first day in clinic on my first med school rotation
Extracurricular activities: golf, restaurants
If I was a dermatology diagnosis I would be: I'm gritty like an actinic keratosis

Faisal Ahmad, M.D.

Hometown: Newport Beach, California
Undergraduate: Harvard College
Medical school: Washington University School of Medicine
Intern year Program: Mercy Hospital St. Louis Transitional Year
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, dermatologic surgery, artificial intelligence in dermatology
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: During my dermatology rotation in medical school where I was struck by the complexity and variety of skin conditions.
Extracurricular interests: Tennis, pickleball, jazz, impressionist art, childhood education, finance
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: A complex case of psoriasis—requiring a deep understanding and a multifaceted approach to treatment.    

Michelle Boettler, M.D.

Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University 
Medical school: The Ohio State University 
Intern year Program: St. Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, dermatopathology
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: When I rotated with a dermatologist on inpatient consults between first and second year of medical school 
Extracurricular interests: trying new restaurants, class-based workouts, playing with my two cats (Cosmo and Luna), traveling, painting
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: blue nevus

Monica Hessler-Waning, M.D.

Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan
Undergraduate: Michigan State University
Medical school: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Internship:  Wayne State University Transitional Year
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, autoimmune dermatology, inflammatory dermatology
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: When I was shadowing at a clinic in high school and was fascinated by the range of clinical conditions I saw in one day.
Extracurricular interests: Running, downhill skiing, rowing, lifting, and baking 
If I were a dermatology diagnosis I would be: Cold urticaria because winter is my favorite time of year

Kendall McDaniel, M.D.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Columbia
Medical school: Tulane University School of Medicine
Intern year program: Mercy Hospital St. Louis - Transitional Year 
Dermatology interests: General dermatology, dermatopathology, skin cancer       
Moment you first saw yourself as a dermatologist: Shadowing in clinic as a medical student and realizing the daily variety and interesting skin pathology that continue to deepen my interest in the field!
Extracurricular interests: Running, tennis, pickleball, trying new restaurants
If you were a dermatology diagnosis you would be: Nevus spilus