Cindy Firkins. Smith, MD,MCHI,FAAD

  • About
    • Specialties: Dermatology
    • Board Certified:
      • Dermatology & Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery
    • Gender: Female
    • Languages: English
    Biography

    What I Do

    My philosophy of care is that I strive to treat patients with compassion, empathy and evidence-based medicine, working with them to weigh the pros and cons of treatment options. I treat my patients the way I want my family to be treated.

    I provide a full range of general dermatology services including medical and surgical treatment of skin, hair and nails. My clinical interests include skin cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment, Mohs surgery and complex surgical reconstruction, and figuring out challenging cases.

    Why I Love My Work

    What I enjoy about my job is making people’s lives a little bit better, one person at a time, every single day. I also really enjoy getting to know people and having the privilege of being welcomed into their lives.

    I consider myself an “accidental dermatologist.” I started medical school wanting to be an OB/GYN. When that wasn’t a perfect fit, I strongly considered family medicine. I discovered dermatology late and absolutely loved it. I am more of an artist than a scientist and dermatology was the perfect blend of art and science.

    Getting to Know Me

    I am creative. I like to write and will someday take up painting again. I love spending time with my grandkids and will do anything they like to do. My dad was a livestock trucker and didn’t finish high school, so I am a first-generation college graduate. I started medical school when my oldest son was nine months old, something I do not recommend to medical students.

    Education
    • College
      Mankato State University, MN
    • Medical School
      University of Minnesota Medical School, MN
    • Internship
      Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
    • Residency
      Dermatology, University of Minnesota, MN
    • Master’s Degree
      Health Care Innovation, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
    Certifications & Licensure
      • Board Certified in MOHS Surgery
      • United States Medical Licensing Examination
  • Professional Memberships
    • Adjunct Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota
    • American Academy of Dermatology
    • American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
    • American Society for Mohs Surgery
    • Minnesota Dermatologic Society, past president
    • Minnesota Medical Association, past president
    • American Medical Association, delegate (chair)
    • Mid-Minnesota Medical Society, past president
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