Hanging on the walls of thousands of board-certified dermatologists' offices is a certificate with the signature of Antoinette Hood, MD. As the first female Executive Director of the American Board of Dermatology, Dr. Hood helped shape and influence the field of dermatology by setting the standards for dermatologists to earn and maintain board certification.

This month, Dr. Hood, Chair and Professor of EVMS Dermatology since the department's inception in 2002, retires after a pioneering 48-year career that started when she became one of the first female dermatology residents at Harvard Medical School. A leader in dermatopathology — a subspecialty in which physicians diagnose skin diseases through microscopic examinations — she also served as the first female President of the American Society of Dermatopathology.

"She is a legend in the field of dermatology," says Clark Otley, MD, Chair of Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic. "Toni has had a gigantic and positive influence on our specialty as a whole. Perhaps more importantly, though, has been her substantial inspirational impact on thousands of young dermatologists who have, from near or far, admired and emulated Toni."

Dr. Hood taught at Washington Hospital Center, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University and Indiana University before coming to EVMS in 2001 and joining the internal medicine and pathology faculty. In 2002, dermatology became a stand-alone department with Dr. Hood at the helm.

"The past almost 15 years have just wildly exceeded any expectations I could have had," Dr. Hood says. "Having an opportunity to develop this department and residency program and then watching them grow over time — and then to be able to see them take off with a new leader — it's just awesome."

Abby Van Voorhees, MD, previously an Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, was named the new chair in February. Dr. Hood will stay on through December as part of the transition. She says she'll miss teaching. "But, who says I won't sneak in and teach a few lectures."