Prof. Valenzuela reflects on advances in dermatology, improving patient care, and bringing a stronger Latin American perspective to his new role.
We are delighted to welcome Prof. Fernando Valenzuela to the Editorial Board of our flagship journal, touchREVIEWS in Dermatology.
Based in Santiago, Chile, Prof. Valenzuela is Professor of Dermatology at the University of Chile and Universidad de los Andes. He is actively involved in clinical care, teaching and research, as well as the training of future dermatologists. His areas of clinical expertise and research interest include inflammatory and immune-mediated skin diseases, particularly psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, phototherapy and immunodermatology.
Prof. Valenzuela has contributed to more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and several dermatology book chapters. He has also participated in numerous clinical trials focused on advancing evidence-based care and improving outcomes for people living with chronic dermatological diseases. He is a Councilor for both the International Psoriasis Council and the International Eczema Council and a former President of the Latin American Psoriasis Society. He also serves as Medical Director of PADECE, a Chilean patient association dedicated to supporting people living with dermatological conditions.
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To officially welcome Prof. Valenzuela to the Editorial Board and get to know him a little better, we invited him to reflect on what drew him to dermatology, the career experiences he has valued most, the advances that have transformed patient care and the innovations he hopes to see in the future. He also shares what he is most looking forward to in his new role with touchREVIEWS in Dermatology and the small things that brighten a busy working day.
What drew you to your chosen specialty?
What drew me to dermatology is the way it combines several dimensions of medicine that I find deeply meaningful: careful clinical observation, precise semiology, the possibility of targeted treatments, and a surgical component. I have also always valued the fact that dermatologists can make a real difference not only in patients’ survival, but also in their quality of life, confidence, and daily well-being.
Which parts of your career in medicine have you enjoyed most so far?
What I have enjoyed most so far is the opportunity to keep learning. Dermatology has changed significantly over the past 15 to 20 years, and we are now understanding inflammatory pathways that were previously unknown to us. I find it fascinating how scientific progress has led to the development of new therapies for patients, achieving outcomes that we could hardly have imagined before.
Another aspect I have greatly enjoyed is the opportunity to travel, visit many places, and learn from colleagues around the world while also sharing knowledge and teaching.
What achievements or experiences in your career to date have surprised you most?
The most impressive achievements in my career so far have been seeing patients who previously had severe disease become free of symptoms and signs of their condition, and being able to give them hope for a more normal life in the long term.
If you could bring one innovation instantly into everyday practice, what would it be and why?
If I had the opportunity, I would love to have within my therapeutic armamentarium an intervention capable of definitively curing chronic skin diseases, so that our patients could live completely free from conditions that not only compromise their overall health, but also impair their quality of life and negatively affect their global functioning.
What are you most looking forward to about taking on this new role?
What I look forward to most is contributing to the wider dissemination of this excellent platform, while also helping to increase the visibility of our Latin American region and continuing to learn alongside an exceptional team.
What is one small thing that always brightens a busy working day for you?
A good coffee or tea, a patient’s smile, a kind message from one of my loved ones, and a good meal with red wine.
Disclosures: This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchDERMATOLOGY in collaboration with Prof. Valenzuela. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Cite: New Editorial Board member: Prof. Fernando Valenzuela joins touchREVIEWS in Dermatology. touchDERMATOLOGY. July 14, 2026.
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