National Women's History Month

trainees' path to success starts from their first day of medical school before continuing into various fields of medicine. This is an enormous committment for young people who know they will be training for more than a decade, far longer than in other professions.

"It is a huge commitment, especially in your twenties when your other friends have completed school and have their first real job," she says. "But despite the years of training I would not have done it any other way."

After resolutely completing her residency to become a boardcertified dermatologist Laura commenced practicing medicine in Virginia while husband Kent finished his fellowship training in musculoskeletal radiology. Upon completion of his training, the couple moved to Longview. Since the summer of 2018 she has worked at Wallis Dermatology Associates. The only female dermatologist in this area, she alternates between treating patients in Longview and the practice in Marshall location. Although the hours are eight to five, the rest of her workdays are unpredictable.

"I evaluate a wide range of medical conditions, perform surgical procedures in the office and even cosmetic treatments,"

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