All in a Day's Work: Rachel Hub, MD

Rachel Hub, MD, a dermatologist at Park Nicollet's Maple Grove and St. Louis Park clinics, talks about her job.

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Last update: October 22, 2009 - 9:57 AM

Q: What's a typical workday like for you?

It's very busy. I see patients of all ages every 15 minutes for anything related to their skin, such as moles, rashes, potential skin cancers and anything related to hair and nails. When people have a problem with their skin, hair or nails, it's a part of their body that everyone can see. There's a psychological component to nearly everything I treat.

Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?

I don't need a lot of expensive equipment to reach a diagnosis and give effective treatment. Dermatologists are also learning how to incorporate mid-level providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants into their practices to see less complicated cases.

Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

I work with medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers, such as primary care doctors, other healthcare providers of all specialties and wound care clinics.

Q: Why did you become a dermatologist?

When I entered medical school I thought I'd be a family practice doctor or a pediatrician. I discovered I like to work with patients of all ages, which I can still do in dermatology, plus deal with all aspects of medicine. I can talk to patients, see their problems and do a lot of procedures.

Q: What do you like about your work?

The skin can really be a window to anything that is going on inside the body.

I can take one look at your nails and see that you have a problem with your liver, heart or kidney. I like fitting together the puzzle. With enough pieces form the patient's skin story and symptoms, the whole image emerges.

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