Tasneem was presented an honorary certificate for women in STEM from the office of Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel
Dr. Tasneem Poonawalla of the Los Angeles Dawoodi Bohra community is a dermatologist in West Hills, CA, with over 13 years of experience. She provides comprehensive dermatology services to patients of all ages. Dr. Poonawalla received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX, and graduated magna cum laude. She completed her Dermatology residency at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. Tasneem is Board Certified in Dermatology and has extensive experience in skin cancer surgery and medical dermatology. She is currently a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons and is a fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.
Dr.Tasneem became interested in this field after taking a dermatology class during her medical training. The contents of the course showed the diversity of this field because it ranges from general practice and treatment of skin ailments to even treating skin cancers. Furthermore, issues with skin often go unhighlighted until it becomes excruciating and almost impossible to reverse the malignant effects of the disease.
Dr. Tasneem recalled an anecdote where she was listening to an ophthalmologist speaking about her profession and saying if one loses sight, one can still live. Still, without skin, there is no life, so it is essential to maintain good skin because it covers us from top to toe and is the largest organ in our body.
Currently she owns a medical clinic in Woodland Hills, and has diversified her practice to include cosmetology. Here, each patient is treated as if they are a family member. She loves interacting with patients and says that is the favorite part of her daily practice. This doctor-patient relationship is what inclined her to switch to medicine after initially beginning her career as a pharmacist.
Furthermore, Tasneem is often sought out as a guest speaker. She generously gives her time to mentor and speak to students. She was invited to the local High School and presented a talk on various diseases, ranging from troublesome acne to skin cell melanomas caused by overexposure to the sun. A stunning 40% of American adults will suffer some form of skin cancer, and if not detected early on, it can lead to death in extreme cases.
