We recently connected with Jacquiline Habashy and have shared our conversation below.

Jacquiline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents came to the United States as refugees with nothing more than a dream for a better life. They worked countless jobs to put food on the table and to support my siblings and me. Prayer and education were two pillars that my parents prioritized for their children with hopes that we would have more opportunity than they ever had. My father taught me by his actions to never take no for an answer. When he first arrived to America, he had no money and no job. He applied for a position at an insurance company 99 times, before they finally agreed to hire him. His first job was the night shift in the mail room and he continued to advance with his hard work and perseverance. Two traits that I admired and aimed to replicate. With that said, I am the first and only individual in my entire family to go to medical school and through my faith and hard work, was able to enter one of the most competitive fields, my passion, Dermatology.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I always wanted to be a Dermatologist, and by the grace of God, I have been granted the opportunity to do so. I love everything about the field! The outpatient pace, the multitude of procedures, the visual precedents of cases, and the multiple facets of medicine that embrace the field. It is also a field that brings the knowledge of medicine and the precision of art and beauty. Ultimately, having a strong impact on a patient’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. I am honored to play that role in a patients life.

In my practice, I perform cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology. Within the realm of cosmetics, I perform everything from injectables, lasers and minimally invasive surgery to make patients feel like the best version of themselves. Skin care and skin health is a true passion of mine, as a dermatologist, I am honored to be the true expert in this field to curate the best individualized care. In addition, I specialize in skin cancer removal and reconstruction surgery.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Dermatology is one of the most competitive fields to get into, with that said persistence is key. I was told countless times that it would be impossible for me to get into a program, even my counselors told me to reconsider. Yet, it was my dream, and I was not going to give up without a fight. I integrated into the field with every opportunity I was given. I ended my apartment lease one year before finishing medical school so that I could travel to every program in the US that would interview me or let me visit for a rotation. You only need one yes, and by the grace of God, I got one in my favorite program and in my favorite city!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely! It is my true passion, and as hard as the road is to get there, I would do it again in a heartbeat. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: JHDermatology