Meet Dr. Katie

We are pleased to welcome Katie Given, MD, PhD, MBA, FAAD, to our panel of medical consultants who advise us on all skin or dermatology issues for Retrouvé.

Dr. Katie, as we call her, is double board certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology (Mohs Surgery) and is passionate about improving healthcare and its delivery. Her training includes Internal Medicine internship at the University of Chicago Hospitals, Dermatology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospitals, where she served as Chief Resident in her final year, and Mohs Surgery and Cosmetic Fellowship (injectables, lasers) at UCSF. While in training, she was awarded a T32 NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Informatics.

A mom to two boys, Dr. Katie is also an FAA-licensed pilot, an expert skier, avid golfer, ballroom dancer, and is never without her sun protection! We have asked Dr. Katie a few questions below so that you can get to know her better.

Why did you choose dermatology as a profession?

I love how complex and diverse the field is – as board-certified dermatologists, we treat over 3,000 skin diseases on people of all skin colors, skin types, men, women, children, and adults. We are trained in medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and some of us even read our own pathology!

When did you start to be interested in learning about/ taking care of skin/ know that this was the field that you wanted to study?

I became interested in Dermatology in medical school. I had amazing mentors who loved their professions, made meaningful differences in their patients’ lives, and had achieved some form of work-life balance. I love that in Dermatology, you can *see* what you are treating. 

What is the most common mistake that you see people make with their skin/ skin care?

They don’t stick with their routine. Skin care and treatment is all about consistency. In most cases, skin care is about the long game. Benefits/changes are almost never immediate.

How long is your usual daily skincare routine/ what steps do you advocate for daily skincare? 

I am a busy working mom of two. I try to keep things really simple so that I can actually do them daily. My routine, start to finish, is 3-5 minutes most days. The single most important step is sunscreen, every day, rain or shine. My other personal must haves for my skin are my Vitamin C serum and moisturizer in the morning, and my retinoid at nighttime!

What is your favorite feature/ what do you like best about yourself?

I transform environments, bringing energy and enthusiasm to almost everything I do!

What are you most grateful for in your life?

My family and my profession – I have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in peoples’ lives every day. I love what I do!