The Sandra J. Lazarus Professorship of Dermatology

Gerald S. LazarusEstablished in 1989 by Gerald S. Lazarus, MD, the former Chairman of the Department of Dermatology, the Professorship honors his wife Sandra, who died in 1985. Sandra Lazarus was a dynamic, magical woman, wife, and mother of four beloved children. During her life, she was a strong believer in supporting young working women as they advanced in their careers.

The Professorship supports the academic development of a female physician specializing in dermatology at the beginning stages of her career. The Lazarus chairholder must “be distinguished by intense creativity and demonstrate remarkable compassion, humanity and social commitment.”

Current Chairholder
Zelma Chiesa Fuxench, MD MSCE

Dr. Chiesa Fuxench is an Associate Professor of Dermatology with the Department of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (Penn). Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Chiesa Fuxench completed her undergraduate, medical school, and dermatology residency training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine where she served as Chief Resident during her last year. Dr. Chiesa Fuxench relocated with her family to complete a Master of Science in Clinica Epidemiology at Penn. She has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and is currently spearheading efforts to develop a specialty program focusing on adult patients with this complex disease at University of Pennsylvania. She has received funding through the National Institutes of Health, National Psoriasis Foundation, Women’s Dermatological Society, National Eczema Association, and the Dermatology Foundation.

More recently, Dr. Chiesa Fuxench was the recipient of a K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award to examine FLG pathogenic variants in Hispanic/Latino patients with atopic dermatitis. Dr. Chiesa Fuxench has also collaborated with the National Eczema Association as well as the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, is involved in multiple clinical trials for atopic dermatitis as the principal investigator and was recently named Vice Chair for Clinical Research within the Department of Dermatology at Penn. She is also involved in various leadership roles at the local and national level including serving as current Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology.

Previous Chairholders

  • Cynthia A. Guzzo, MD 1990–1998
  • Rosalie Elenitsas, MD 1998–2005
  • Carmela C. Vittorio, MD 2005–2013
  • Ellen J. Kim, MD 2013-2022
  • Elizabeth A. Grice, PhD 2022-2025