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| Scott Guenthner, M.D. |
Alumni Interviews:
Scott Guenthner, M.D.
"For patients, it is vital that they feel welcomed, comfortable, and most of all, respected by the practice."
What is your hometown?
Born in Columbus, GA. I graduated from high school in Humboldt, Iowa so I consider Humboldt my hometown.
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
Primarily in 1992 when I started working in the Complement Laboratory in Medical Labs with Dr. John Weiler and Dr. Karen Maves.
What interested you to pursue a career in Dermatology?
I liked the idea of being able to see patients of all ages and being able to integrate many different areas of clinical practice: clinical work seeing patients, surgical work with biopsies, excisions, cosmetic procedures, and pathology (reading specimens from one’s patients’ biopsies, etc.).
Is there a faculty member or mentor at Iowa who helped shape your career?
I would say three individuals focused me on dermatology: Dr. John Strauss, Dr. Chris Arpey, and Dr. Michael O’Donnell.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
I was in-state and did my undergrad at Iowa so was familiar with the UI and its excellent reputation for providing opportunities to see all specialties through rotations, etc. Many schools do not do this which I think may limit students from experiencing all specialties and thus preventing them from finding out what they really like. For example, I was going to do Orthopaedics and never would have thought of or done Dermatology if I had not had the rotation.
Please describe your professional goals/interests.
To grow my solo private practice into one of the most respected and thriving in the Indianapolis area and to be able to become more involved on the state and national level in issues involving the business of healthcare.
Please highlight your major career achievements, awards, discoveries, etc.
Chief Resident, Dermatology, 2001-2002, Indiana University Dept. of Dermatology; President, Alpha Omega Alpha, Iowa Chapter, 1997; The Hancher-Finkbine Medallion, 1998; Phi Beta Kappa, Junior Inductee, 1993; University of Iowa Alumni Association National Volunteer of the Year, 2001; University of Iowa Alumni Association Board of Directors, 2004- current, at-large member.
What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages did attending the University of Iowa provide? What about challenges?
I enjoyed the opportunity to do research as an undergrad in the Complement Lab and then in medical school as well. The tremendous variety in clinical rotations with the ability to experience all different specialties as mentioned above. MECO (Medical Education in Community Orientation) program was very neat. I went through the program with Mark Louviere in Waterloo and delivered a baby the first day I was there with him! Iowa City is also a great city…. great college atmosphere with Big Ten sports, Hancher, etc.
What are some of your outside interests?
Spending time with my wife, Shannon (97BSW) and son Evan. Being active in our local Iowa Club.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?
Our practice philosophy: “For patients, it is vital that they feel welcomed, comfortable, and most of all, respected by the practice. Every patient will be viewed as an individual who deserves and will receive the best dermatologic care possible.”
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I would look at the medical training that is obtained by medical students and residents and put more emphasis on understanding the business of medicine as this is becoming more important each day.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a medical student?
(1) The shift among many dermatologists from medical and surgically based dermatology to more cosmetic dermatology; (2) the proliferation of non physician (PAs, NPs, and others) and non-dermatology/plastic surgeon physicians doing cosmetic procedures.
What one piece of advice you would give to today's medical students?
Never lose sight of the reason we are doctors: the patients. Focus on the patient at all times. Talk directly to the patient, look them in the eye, make sure that they hear that you care….tell them those very words. Touch the patient when you examine them and make sure you always address why they are there to see you that day. Make sure that their questions are answered and that they know they can always call you if there are more questions that arise. Understand the business of medicine. Spend quality time with your family away from medicine.
University of Iowa President David Skorton has named academic year 2005-2006 as the "Year of Public Engagement." In what ways are you engaged with the greater public (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/expertise with organizations or causes, speaking engagements, etc.)?
I am a speaker for community education events with the local hospital support. I conduct periodic free skin cancer screenings and I teach at the Indiana University Dermatology residency 6 times per year.
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