Andrea Rustad, MD, is a resident physician in dermatology, hoping to specialize in pediatric dermatology. Dr. Rustad graduated from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and is a dermatology resident at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
She herself has atopic dermatitis, or eczema, and believes that the social and mental health aspects of skin conditions are just as important as the medical side. She has a special interest in genetic skin conditions like ichthyosis, which was sparked by volunteering at Camp Discovery prior to medical school. This interest has grown over time as she has worked and connected with the ichthyosis community through the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (FIRST) with research on bullying and mental health in ichthyosis, advocacy, and even writing and publishing a children’s book on ichthyosis. The book Skin-Vincible aims to raise awareness for ichthyosis, empower those with ichthyosis and any other visible or function difference to feel confident in their identity and not be defined by a skin condition or other difference, and to teach children to be welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of those who are different than them. The profits from book sales will go to the FIRST organization to support the ichthyosis community!
Outside of medicine, she is a dancer and barre fitness instructor, speaks French and loves to travel, and loves to share her baking, cooking, fitness, and health information on her blog Barre and Brunch.
