DermalScan News and the AngioInstitute is proud to present Dr. Babar K. Rao. With over twenty years of dermatology experience, Dr. Babar K. Rao is considered a pioneer in the industry. Board certified in both Dermatology and Dermatopathology and a leading authority on pigmented lesions, Dr. Rao is a pioneer in Dermoscopy and Reflectance Confocal Microscopy (RCM). He brings his vast and diversified experience to every patient he sees, with established offices in California, New Jersey, and New York. Dr Rao has been published hundreds of times and is always working with Medical Students on new studies. In addition, he supports numerous philanthropic causes in the United States and abroad. Dr. Rao founded the NIDISKIN medical educational symposium series, delivering the most innovative and effective educational content for Dermatologists and Pathologists in both live and virtual curated environments. Dr. Rao is considered an international authority and provides each of his patients a high caliber of care, from coast to coast.
My journey in medicine began in Pakistan, where I pursued medical school and specialized in dermatology. Seeking further knowledge, I moved to London for additional studies before eventually settling in the United States. Over the years, I trained at several esteemed institutions, including UT Southwestern in Dallas, Boston University, NYU, and ultimately graduated from Cornell in New York City.
Initially, I aspired to be in academia, a path that led me to become the Program Director for the dermatology training program at Rutgers in New Jersey. I later served as the Chair of Dermatology for over 22 years. However, my ambition extended beyond academic leadership—I wanted to expand my clinical practice and bring innovative solutions to dermatology. This drive led me to establish practices in New York, New Jersey, and California, where I primarily focus on skin cancer and complex medical dermatology.
Throughout my career, I have prioritized the advancement of
non-invasive diagnostic techniques in dermatology. Traditionally, diagnosing
skin conditions required a biopsy, which involved removing tissue and sending
it for pathological examination—a process unchanged for over two centuries. I
firmly believe that technology should progress beyond such invasive methods.
This belief has shaped my focus on non-invasive diagnostics, allowing for
precise diagnosis and management without the need for cutting.
Early in my career, I recognized the need for better diagnostic tools. The first major advancement in this area was dermoscopy, which enhances the visualization of skin lesions using magnification and polarized light. While this significantly improved upon the limitations of the naked eye, it still had its constraints. The next breakthrough came with confocal microscopy, which allows for high-resolution imaging of the skin at a cellular level, providing diagnostic insights comparable to histology without requiring a biopsy.
EXPERTISE IN PIGMENTED LESIONS
My expertise in pigmented
lesions—moles, birthmarks, and other skin growths—stems from my fellowship at
NYU, where I trained under Dr. Alfred Kopf, a renowned expert in melanoma and
pigmented lesions. Traditionally, dermatologists diagnose these conditions
through dermoscopy or biopsy, but I was determined to explore alternative
methods. Given that nearly 99% of excised moles are benign, I sought out
technologies that could provide more accurate assessments before resorting to
surgical removal. Around the time I was completing my training at Cornell,
confocal microscopy was emerging as a promising tool. Recognizing its
potential, I immersed myself in its study and implementation, ultimately
integrating it into my practice over 16 years ago.
Dermatopathology, a specialized field that combines dermatology and pathology, requires additional years of fellowship training and board certification. Not all dermatologists pursue this path, but I saw it as an essential extension of my expertise. My passion for non-invasive diagnostics led me to recognize a gap in formal training for confocal microscopy in North America. To bridge this gap, I learned from leading experts, including Dr. Giovanni Pellacani in Italy, and later established a dedicated training program. Today, this initiative has trained numerous dermatologists across the United States, advancing the field of non-invasive dermatological diagnostics.
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of my career. I have worked closely with esteemed colleagues such as Dr. Pellacani in Europe and Dr. Manu Jain at Memorial Sloan Kettering in the U.S. Together, we have conducted training courses and mentored professionals who now practice these techniques nationwide. Additionally, I have collaborated with Dr. Robert Bard, a cancer radiologist and a pioneer in high-resolution ultrasound imaging, to explore its applications in dermatology. My ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to skin cancer diagnosis and treatment—what I call "cutting-edge without cutting."
Beyond my clinical practice, I have been deeply involved in global burn care, particularly in underserved regions. Recognizing the high mortality rate associated with burn injuries in developing countries, I helped establish a burn hospital in Pakistan in 2012, providing free treatment to those in need. This initiative has generated valuable research on scar management using laser therapy and other non-surgical interventions. My goal is to explore innovative methods for wound healing and scar reduction without relying solely on plastic surgery.
A LEGACY OF TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP
My dedication to
education extends beyond my clinical work. When I began my journey in
dermatology, there were very few trained dermatologists in Pakistan—only two or
three for a population of 170 million. Recognizing this disparity, I sought
advanced training in England and later became a skin pathologist, a field with
even fewer specialists worldwide. Today, I teach dermatopathology and confocal
microscopy to students across the globe, from Iran to Ukraine, Brazil to
Pakistan, ensuring that future generations of dermatologists are well-equipped
with the latest knowledge and techniques.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Philanthropy and community
service remain integral to my mission. In New Jersey, I provide free
dermatological care to nursing home residents who lack access to medical
services. In California, my team offers complimentary tattoo removal for
formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them reintegrate into society. Through
the American Academy of Dermatology, I actively participate in skin cancer
screenings and public health initiatives.
While I have achieved significant milestones in dermatology, my work is far from over. My primary focus remains on revolutionizing skin cancer treatment—eliminating the need for surgical intervention whenever possible. By continuing to develop and implement non-invasive technologies, I hope to make dermatological care more accessible, effective, and patient-friendly.
The key to my success has been collaboration, humility, and
openness to new ideas. I firmly believe that by working together and embracing
innovation, we can transform the field of dermatology and improve the lives of
countless patients worldwide.
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