Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Erica Tarabadkar

Dr. Erica Tarabadkar completed her UW Derm Residency in 2019 and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Emory in Atlanta, GA. 

Current position and location

I practice at the Emory clinic and at the Winship Cancer Institute, where I have the opportunity to see patients with cutaneous toxicity to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, as well as, patients with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). 

Path to that position

I became interested in cutaneous oncology only after completing my two year fellowship with Dr. Paul Nghiem, focusing on patient care and clinical research in Merkel cell carcinoma. It was one of the most impactful times in my training, witnessing how clinical research can translate and change patient care. My passion was further solidified in residency with diverse clinical experiences at UW but especially those with patients in complex dermatology, CTCL, and pigmented lesion clinics. 

Exciting current or recent projects

I am most excited about finishing up a project that was started during my research fellowship years in the Nghiem lab. Working with Drs. Nghiem and Teresa Fu as well as many others in the Nghiem lab, we looked at the association of adjuvant radiation therapy, surgical margin size, and MCC local recurrence.  We found among patients treated with adjuvant radiation therapy,  local control was superb even if significant risk factors were present and margins were narrow. We also proposed a treatment algorithm for managing primary MCC that integrates risk factors and optimizes local control.

Outside of Medicine

I recently became a mom to baby boy Bodhi and I am having a really good time in this new role!  

Fond memories of residency

My fondest memories come from the time I got to spend with my co-residents and faculty, from resident bonding rowing to faculty vs. resident volleyball games, weekly lunches, formal lectures, grand rounds, and conferences.  

Favorite part about living in Seattle

Being an Atlanta native, living in the PNW was such a different and amazing experience! I loved the beautiful summers, numerous coffee shops, the fresh sushi, and the water and mountains! Living so close to the many hiking trails/mountains was a first for me and one of the many things I miss most.  

Advice for current residents

Enjoy the journey because it goes by fast!