Dr. Jorge Hinojosa

The career of this year’s winner of the Award for Excellence in Dermatology was shaped by medical situations affecting family members.

Dr. Jorge Hinojosa grew up in the Rio Grande Valley in a house built by his father and brother. “We were very poor but I didn’t know it. I had everything I needed, including a father who stressed the importance of education,” he said.

Although Dr. Hinojosa’s father had a great respect for schooling, he mistrusted the medical system, which caused him to ignore early symptoms of bladder cancer. By the time the cancer was diagnosed, his life could not be saved, but the compassionate, respectful treatment he received caused his 15-year-old son to set his sights on a career in medicine.

Dr. Hinojosa graduated from UT Austin in December 2012 with a B.A. in biology and began his medical education the following summer. Right before the start of his third year, the second medical situation involving a family member occurred. Dr. Hinojosa’s son, Aiden, began developing white spots around his eyes and on his hands and knees. Dr. Amit Pandya, Professor of Dermatology, diagnosed the problem as vitiligo.

“As my son was being treated, I found myself becoming interested in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Ultimately, I decided to take a research year between MS3 and MS4 to further investigate the vitiligo disease pathways, its markers of activity, and their potential role as treatment targets,” Dr. Hinojosa said.

His pathway was set.

During medical school, Dr. Hinojosa was involved in several volunteer activities. He was among students from his class who helped found the Agape Multidisciplinary Clinic, which partners with a charity clinic in South Dallas to provide medical services to the indigent. He is also a regular volunteer at the Agape Dermatology Clinic.

Dr. Hinojosa also co-chaired the 2017 Vitiligo Walk-a-thon, which raised more than $10,000 for research and elevating awareness of the condition. 

Dr. Heidi Jacobe, Associate Professor of Dermatology, cited both his research efforts and his volunteer work in explaining why Dr. Hinojosa was selected to win the Dermatology Award. “Jorge has displayed a sincere commitment to excellence in the fields of clinical dermatology, research, and the needs of underserved communities. He has already contributed to dermatology through his leadership and scholarship in these areas.” 

The Dermatology Award is given to a UT Southwestern graduating medical student who has advanced dermatological patient care, research, or teaching in a special way, or who shows promise for leadership in these areas. The recipient receives a certificate and $1,000.

Dr. Hinojosa will join his fiancée, last year’s Ho Din winner Dr. Lauren Kolski, at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth for his intern year, and then return to UT Southwestern for his dermatology residency.

“Everyone applying for dermatology this year was extremely accomplished and well-qualified and I was surprised and honored to be selected,” Dr. Hinojosa said.

Dr. Jacobe holds the James N. Gilliam, M.D. Chair in Dermatology.

Dr. Pandya holds the Dr. J.B. Shelmire Professorship in Dermatology.