2025 Graduate Spotlight: Rachael Ward, MD, MPH

The UW Department of Dermatology thrives on the remarkable contributions of our residents and fellows. Their talent, curiosity, and dedication to exceptional care have consistently led to research breakthroughs and profoundly improved patient lives, leaving an indelible mark on our program.

With graduation fast approaching, we caught up with the Class of 2025 to hear their reflections on their training experience and learn about their exciting post-graduation plans!

Congratulations Dr. Linda Oyesiku

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia 

Undergraduate School: Emory University

Undergraduate Major: Anthropology

Medical School: University of Miami

Graduate School: Boston University School of Public Health

Internship: UM/Holy Cross Hospital

What is next for you after graduation?

I will see a mixture of pediatric and adult patients in Seattle, WA. 

What are your future career goals?  

• I hope to continue to be an advocate for my patients; a lifelong learner; and out of the box thinker with the goal of doing what is best for them and meeting them where they are. 
• To be a Dermatoepianthropologist. Yes, that is a word I made up, but it fully encompasses my goals of shaping my career to incorporate my interests and experiences as a public health-oriented dermatologist ultimately in a role of leadership with global impact. 
• I plan to stay involved in global health dermatology throughout my career and am proud to be a cofounder of an organization (GLODERM) that can help facilitate that!  

What do you value most about your training experience at UW Dermatology? 

I truly value the opportunity I had to be the first resident to have three years of continuity clinic at Seattle Children's with all the incredibly dedicated attendings at SCH.  Drs. Sidbury, Brandling-Bennett, Gupta, Boos-  to have had the opportunity for ongoing learning and mentorship with you all and to follow my patients as they have grown up has been a highlight of my training.

What accomplishments in residency are you most proud of? 

I am proud of participating in and initiating community outreach during residency through diverse collaborations.   I am also proud of converting several of my co-residents to pickleball players! 

Who were your mentors and how did they support you?  

Dr. Gupta, Dr. Boos, Dr. Kalus and Dr. Colven have really been instrumental mentors for me. Dr. Gupta has helped build my clinical confidence and supported my interest in community outreach as well as my research. Dr. Gupta and Dr. Boos have always been an ear, source of support, and champion as I shape my career and personal goals. I would not be at UW Dermatology without Dr. Kalus's mentorship starting as a medical student from across the country. She provided mentorship to me during a Hackathon I participated in while in medical school and I will never forget how she spent time during the holidays to talk to me and offer research advice and guidance because she saw my potential.  With our shared interest in humanities, art and medicine, she has led me to unique opportunities such as my involvement with an exhibit at the Henry Art Gallery resulting in my participation on a multidisciplinary panel.  My first few months of residency at HMC were a whirlwind and I will never forget how Dr. Colven supported me in that transition. He continued to help build my capacity clinically, especially during all the weeks of call, and surgically throughout residency. 

I truly appreciate all of our faculty for their teaching (in and outside of clinic) and professional development and support! 

What advice would you share with incoming dermatology residents?

We have incredibly supportive staff at all sites, dedicated teaching faculty, and administrative staff (looking at you Steph and Aimee!!) who are here to help you in any way and genuinely care about your well-being as well as your learning, so don't hesitate to reach out. 

There are also so many dedicated volunteer faculty members who are very invested in our education and career development and are a source of knowledge to tap into! 

Plan to regularly get together with your co-residents to do something fun!