The Paul R. Gross, MD Professorship of Dermatology

Paul R. GrossThe Annenberg Foundation established the Professorship in 2005 to provide major support for the education of the next generation of leaders in dermatology. The chair also expresses the Foundation’s high regard for Paul R. Gross, MD, who headed the Dermatology Section at Pennsylvania Hospital for 35 years.

The first in the nation, the Department of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine has long been a leader in the specialty. Dr. Gross received his undergraduate and medical degrees at Penn and completed his residencies at Penn Medicine. For nearly 50 years, he has focused much of his attention and expertise on fostering resident education.

The Honorable Walter H. Annenberg (1908–2002) and his wife, the Honorable Leonore Annenberg (1918–2009), were among the University of Pennsylvania’s greatest philanthropic partners. Mr. Annenberg attended The Wharton School and built his family’s publishing company into an industry leader, in part by founding Seventeen magazine and TV Guide. He was dedicated to public service and held the position of U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. from 1969 to 1974. During the Reagan Administration, Leonore Annenberg was named Chief of Protocol, a position that carried ambassadorial rank and in which she advised the President and other top officials. The Annenbergs became noted philanthropists who supported education, media, and arts programs nationwide.

Both Walter and Leonore Annenberg served as University Trustees. They were both awarded Honorary Degrees as well as Penn’s Medal for Distinguished Achievement. Their philanthropy at Penn established numerous scholarships and professorships as well as the Annenberg School for Communication, which today is known as one of the best in the world.


Rosenbach photoCurrent Chairholder
Misha Rosenbach, MD

Misha Rosenbach, MD, joined the faculty at Penn as the Director of Inpatient Consultative Dermatology, and was one of the first dermatologists to specialize in inpatient care and a key figure in the Society of Dermatology Hospitalists. At Pen, Dr. Rosenbach established a multidisciplinary Sarcoidosis clinic, which is recognized by the Foundation of Sarcoidosis Research and World Association of Sarcoidosis as a Center of Excellence.

Dr. Rosenbach is a fixture in various ‘Top Docs’ lists, including Newsweek’s national ranking of dermatologists, where he is the #3 medical dermatologist in the country. He has been recognized with Penn’s highest clinical honor as a member of the Academy of Master Clinicians. Dr. Rosenbach has been a key leader in education at Penn, currently serving as the Program Director of the Residency Program, which is the #1 ranked program nationally, and the Vice Chair of Education for the Department. He directs one of only a handful of post-residency fellowships focused on complex medical dermatology. He has been recognized with every teaching award at Penn, including the prestigious Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Dr. Rosenbach’s research is focused primarily on sarcoidosis & granulomatous skin conditions, neutrophilic dermatoses, and severe drug reactions. He has been invited to give over 200 talks nationally and internationally, and has published more than 250 peer reviewed articles, multiple chapters, and 8 textbooks, including serving as one of the editors of Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin, the premier textbook in dermatology.  Dr. Rosenbach is involved in Dermatology nationally as well, and is the former deputy editor of JAMA Dermatology and remains on its editorial board. He is the immediate past president of the Medical Dermatology Society, and has leadership roles in the American Academy of Dermatology, particularly in the area of Climate Change & Sustainability. 

Dr. Rosenbach graduated from Princeton magna cum laude in 2000, and from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha in 2004. He was the first person in the country to complete a combined residency training in Internal Medicine and Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also served as chief resident.

Previous Chairholder

  • William D. James, MD 2005 - 2023