This article ran in Style Blueprint on April 14, 2014.
Dr. Jennifer Lee :: FACES of Nashville
By Liza Graves
Dr. Jennifer Lee of REN Dermatology has an impressive academic background and is also just the person you hope to be seated next to at a dinner party: she’s engaging, interesting and real. Nashville scored this amazing doctor in 2010 when she was recruited here, and we are thrilled to feature her as our FACE of Nashville today!
Tell us how you came to Nashville.
The long story is: When I was 19 years old, I went on my first medical missions project to the Dominican Republic, and there were three Vanderbilt pediatricians on that trip. That experience had a significant impact on my desire to become a doctor, and I dreamed about attending Vanderbilt Medical School and becoming a pediatrician. Although I ended up going to Harvard and ultimately pursued dermatology, I always had a special place in my heart for Vanderbilt. During medical school, I had the opportunity to go on a missions project to Peru with a large group of students and physicians from Vanderbilt and Nashville, including Dr. Morgan Wills, Dr. Jason Robbins, and many others. Fast forward to 2010, when an opportunity arose to join Vanderbilt Division of Dermatology — I thought it was serendipitous and couldn’t pass it up.
Is REN Dermatology your first time in private practice?
REN Dermatology is my first time in private practice, as well as my first solo venture, and I’m loving every minute! It’s been a challenging but very fun experience. I’ve really enjoyed being involved with every aspect of establishing and growing the practice, as well as getting to personalize it. The name REN is very meaningful to me as it pays honor to my mother’s family name.
How do you balance splitting your time between REN Dermatology and your position as clinical assistant professor for Vanderbilt’s medical school?
All of my clinical work is at REN Dermatology, where I see patients daily at our office in Franklin. As Clinical Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt, I participate in weekly Dermatology Grand rounds. I also lecture to residents and physicians in various specialties, including dermatology, internal medicine and allergy. Teaching is my favorite aspect of being part of the academic medical community, so I hope to continue balancing both.
To read the rest of this article on Dr. Lee, go here.