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Selfless Dermatologist and Co-Founder of the IHHS Loves the Rewards of Treating Patients
Most hyperhidrosis patients know not all dermatologists are equipped to treat hyperhidrosis. Focused on other aspects of their practice, doctors can't always break out the time and money necessary to invest in the latest opportunities for hyperhidrosis education and equipment. As for Dr. Dee Anna Glaser of Saint Louis, here is one compassionate dermatologist who wouldn't think of being unprepared for her hyperhidrosis patients. The rewards, she says, are mutual, as she recalls one case in particular.
"He was a sophomore or a junior in high school, and he had never been to one dance," says Dr. Glaser. "After treating him, his brother, who was a freshman in college, kept saying, 'Tell her. Tell her. Did you tell her?' And so he told me: He went to a dance. I hadn't cured his cancer or kept him from a heart attack. But a dance -- that's an important step for a teenager.
"I think once you get that really grateful patient, whose life you absolutely change -- it really warms your heart," says Dr. Glaser. "You get patients who have been looking and looking for years for help. And they are grateful all the way around."
We at the International Hyperhidrosis Society are grateful for Dr. Glaser's signature dedication to hundreds of hyperhidrosis patients during her 15 years of practice, a dedication that has earned her recognition in Best Doctors in America and Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, and a "top doctor" award in Guide to Top Doctors.
We are in awe of her tireless devotion to research and advocacy: Dr. Glaser has lectured and presented more than 100 times throughout the world about the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of hyperhidrosis. She has participated in more than 20 funded clinical trials and has earned fellowships and the invitation to sit on several boards within the field of dermatology. She has published more than 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as book chapters and numerous abstracts and posters. Within the realm of higher education, she is professor and vice chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, director of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in the Department of Dermatology and the Director of Dermatology Research Services at Saint Louis University.
Dr. Glaser also manages to have time for a family. She and her husband, a retina surgeon, are the parents of two daughters, 13 and 16. Both girls have traveled throughout the world with their mother. Both girls, not surprisingly, are also talking about going into medicine.
Add to all this the fact that Dr. Glaser volunteers her cosmetic work to help erase the physical scars suffered by abused women – work that won an award from the Soroptimist Club, a worldwide organization that serves to advance human rights and the status of women. And you very quickly get an image of a doctor – a hyperhidrosis doctor in particular – who doesn't get much better than Dr. Glaser.
"She is one of the world's experts on the diagnosis and treatment of hyperhidrosis," says Dr. David Pariser, president of the IHHS and president-electe of the American Academy of Dermatology. "She is a frequent speaker and the author of papers. If I had to pick a handful of people who are experts in the area of hyperhidrosis, she would have to be on the list."
Says IHHS Executive Director Lisa Pieretti: "Dr. Glaser is a patient hero and a role model for other health care providers. She is also a tremendous support for us at IHHS. Recently, she nominated us for a prestigious award – the 2008 Gold Triangle Award from the American Academy of Dermatology. And we won! She believes in us, and we truly believe in her and everything she is about."
Despite building a resume that could easily go to her head, we know Dr. Glaser as being humble and gracious about the work she does. We also know her as being genuinely excited about the field of hyperhidrosis today. If ever there was a good time to be a hyperhidrosis sufferer, the time is now, says Dr. Glaser.
"Clearly the Botox therapies have opened up the world of hyperhidrosis. Not only is Botox very successful with high patient satisfaction, but because of it, there has been renewed interest in the disease. Now we are looking at perfecting older treatments. And it has spurred on interest in other treatments. We're looking at new topical deodorants. We're looking at new surgeries that will produce less scarring. There's some research going on to improve prescription anti-perspirants."
Today's patients are lucky to have treatment options. They are equally lucky to have an organization like the IHHS within reach, says Dr. Glaser, who saw a deep need within the community when she helped found the organization.
"To have an outlet for information on the disease in the privacy of their own home with the Internet is terrific for hyperhidrosis patients," says Dr. Glaser. "There's a physician finder. There's advocacy. There's information about how to talk to insurance companies to get coverage. Somewhere along the way, a patient might have encountered an uninformed doctor who said, 'Don't worry about it. It's sweat. It won't kill you.' The IHHS lets patients know: We get it. Don't stop there."
We at IHHS hope Dr. Glaser doesn't stop any time soon either. Thank you, Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, for all you do on behalf of hyperhidrosis. And Happy Mother's Day!
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Find a doctor who treats excessive sweating. |
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