SKIN 
 

May 2019     Volume 3 Issue 3 
 

Copyright 2018 The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine 232 

COMPELLING COMMENTS 
 

 
The Rose of Dermatology 
 
Tyler Marion, BS, MBA1, Jake A Gibbons, BS1 

1University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Galveston, TX 

 
 
Women serve a pivotal role in dermatology, 
accounting for more than half of residency 
spots as of 2015.1 In the early 1900’s, 
however, women were a minority within the 
field. The emergence of female 
dermatologists began with Rose Hirschler. 
Born in Butler, Indiana in 1875, Hirschler’s 
journey into dermatology was a circuitous 
one. She trained to become a certified 
masseuse in Sweden before enrolling at the 
Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia, 
graduating with her medical degree in three 
years.2 After graduation, Hirschler worked 
with renowned dermatologist, Jay F. 
Schamberg. Schamberg was an important 
mentor for Hirschler. Together, they 
published several papers on various 
dermatologic conditions including lichen 
planus, lichen sclerosus, and syphilis.3 
 
Hirschler began teaching at Women’s 
Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1900. 
She originally served as a gynecology 
instructor, but her passion for dermatology 
was not lost. In 1918, she became Acting 
Clinical Professor of Dermatology. Obtaining 
this position was a momentous step forward 
for women, as this was one of the earliest 
instances of women teaching women in 
dermatology.3 In 1936, Hirschler took another 
leap when she was appointed as chair of the 
Department of Dermatology, becoming the 
first female to do so.3 Additionally, Dr. 
Hirschler was the only female to contribute in 

the founding of the American Academy of 
Dermatology. Hirschler’s leadership was 
unprecedented, and the Department of 
Dermatology at Women’s Medical College 
flourished under her leadership. 
Unfortunately, her tenure as chair was cut 
short as she fell victim to lymphocytic 
leukemia and passed away in 1940.3 To 
honor Dr. Hirschler, an award of her 
namesake, the Rose Hirschler Award, is 
given annually to female dermatologists who 
have made significant contributions to 
medicine and dermatology. Dr. Hirschler was 
a true pioneer for women in dermatology, 
paving the way for future females entering 
the field. 
  
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None. 
 
Funding: None. 
 
Corresponding Author: 
Tyler Marion, B.S., M.B.A.  
The University of Texas Medical Branch   
Galveston, TX  
trmarion9@gmail.com  

References: 
1. Grant-Kels J, Murrell D. History of 

Women in Dermatology series. 
International Journal of Womens 
Dermatology. 2015;1(3):115. 
doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2015.07.005. 

2. Crissey JT, Parish LC, Holubar K. 
Historical Atlas of Dermatology and 

 

mailto:trmarion9@gmail.com


SKIN 
 

May 2019     Volume 3 Issue 3 
 

Copyright 2018 The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine 233 

Dermatologists. Boca Raton: Parthenon 
Pub. Group; 2002. 

3. Reid EE, James WD. Int J Womens 
Dermatol. 2015 Apr 23;1(2):99-103. 
doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2015.03.003.