Dr. Hand is Medical Director, Pediatric Dermatology, Oishei Children’s Hospital. She holds the rank of Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Prior to her work in Buffalo, she was section head of genetic skin disorders at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where she is an emeritus Associate Professor of Dermatology, Pediatrics and Clinical Genomics. She specializes in rare genetic disorders of the skin. A strong advocate for rare disease patients, she serves on the medical and scientific advisory board for F.I.R.S.T., a national support organization for patients with Ichthyosis. She is also a Consulting Editor for GeneReviews, an on-line, free resource sponsored by the National Institute of Health. She has been a principal investigator in clinical trials including a phase 3 trial of gene therapy to treat the rare genetic skin disorder, epidermolysis bullosa. Dr. Hand is an experienced medical educator at all levels and has been a course director for Mayo Medical School in Rochester, MN. She has given over 170 CME lectures at national and international meetings and has mentored over 60 medical students, residents, and fellows to successful careers. She is co-author of the 3rd and latest edition of the textbook "Spitz's Genodermatoses: A full color guide to genetic skin disorders."
Education and Training:
Certificate, Mayo Clinic Quality Academy - Silver Level Certification, Mayo Clinic (2015)
Certificate, Mayo Clinic Quality Academy - Bronze Level Certification, Mayo Clinic (2010)
Fellowship, Clinical Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic (2000)
Resident, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic (1998)
Internship, Preliminary Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic (1995)
Certificate, National Board of Medical Examiners, (NBME) (1995)
MD, Mayo Medical School (1994)
BS, Genetics, University of California at Berkeley, Summa Cum Laude (1986)
Employment:
Associate Professor, Emeritus, of Dermatology, Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2022-present)
Associate Professor, Emeritus, of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Genetics, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2022-present)
Associate Professor, Emeritus, of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2022-present)
Chief of Service, Dermatology, Dermatology, Kaleida Health (2022-present)
Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2022-present)
Medical Director, Pediatric Dermatology, Pediatrics, Oshei (now Golisano) Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2022-present)
Investigator, Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2021–2022)
Associate Professor of Dermatology, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2017–2022)
Associate Professor of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2017–2022)
Associate Professor of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2017–2022)
Assistant Program Director, Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester (2016–2022)
Career Advisor, Mayo Clinic Education Administration, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (2016–2022)
Assistant Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (2010–2017)
Assistant Professor in Medical Genetics, Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (2001–2017)
Assistant Professor in Dermatology, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (2001–2016)
Medical Director, Pediatric Dermatology, T. Denny Sanford Pediatric Center (2007–2010)
Instructor in Dermatology, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (1999–2001)
Chief Resident, Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic (1997–1998)
Markovic SN, Erickson LA, Rao RD, Weenig RH, Pockaj BA, Bardia A, Vachon CM, Schild SE, McWilliams RR, Hand JL, Laman SD, Kottschade LA, Maples WJ, Pittelkow MR, Pulido JS, Cameron JD, Creagan ET, . (2007) Malignant melanoma in the 21st century, part 2: staging, prognosis, and treatment. Mayo Clinic proceedings (Apr), 82(4): 490-513.
Hand JL, Brilliant MH, Strul S. (2025) Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. UpToDate, Inc. Wolters Kluwer
Hand JL, Brilliant MH, Strul S. (2025) Oculocutaneous albinism. UpToDate, Inc. Wolters Kluwer
Hand JL. (2025) Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis. UpToDate, Inc Wolters Kluwer
Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Callen JP, Cowen EW, Duncan KO, Hruza GJ et al. (2024) 54. Basic Principles of Genetics. In: Dermatology, Fifth Edition. Elsevier
Hand, JL. (2024) In: X-Linked Ichthyosis. UpToDate, Inc. Wolters Klewer
Hand JL, Spitz JL, Turbeville, JG. (2024) Spitz’s Genodermatoses. A full color guide. Wolters-Klewer.
Torrelo A. Hernandez-Martin A, Lucky A, Pope E, Siegfried EC, Silverman RA, Wiss K. (2022) 4.7 Chromosomal Disorders. In: Schachner and Hansen’s Pediatric Dermatology 5th Edition. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publication
Professional Memberships:
Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance; (PeDRA) (2012–present)
Paul A. O'Leary Society For Dermatology; Mayo Clinic Alumni Association (2004–present)
Minnesota Dermatological Society (2002–2022)
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (2002–present)
Society for Pediatric Dermatology; SPD (2001–present)
American Society of Human Genetics (1998–2021)
Member, Women's Dermatology Society (1997–present)
Mayo Clinic Alumni Association (1995–present)
American Academy of Dermatology; AAD (1995–present)
American Medical Association (1990–present)
Presentations:
"Disorders of the Dermis" Genodermatoses Conference Part 3 Northwestern University (2025)
"Back to Basics-The Physical Exam is the Cornerstone of Precision Medicine: Visual Exam of the Hair & Nails: High Yield Clues for a Unifying Diagnosis" American College of Medical Genetics Annual Meeting 2024 (2024)
"Genodermatoses 101: Update on Genetic Testing for the Dermatologist" American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 2024 (2024)
"Think like an Expert about Ichthyosis: Case Presentation" American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 2024 (2024)
"Genodermatoses" Northwestern University Department of Dermatology; Annual Genodermatoses Conference (2024)
"Hair and Nails: High Yield Clues for a Unifying Diagnosis" University at Buffalo Pediatrics Grand Rounds (2024)
"Rare Disease Resources for Pediatric Dermatology Investigators" 2022 Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (2023)
"Genetic Testing: What the Dermatologist Needs to Know" American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 2023 (2023)
"Genodermatoses: Disorders of the Dermis" Genodermatoses 2023 presented by Northwestern University (2023)
"Neonatal Rashes" University at Buffalo Pediatrics Grand Rounds (2023)
"Dermatology Stories: (Life) Lessons Learned" 33rd Biennial Dermatology Symposium: The O’Leary Meeting 2022 hosted by Mayo Clinic (2022)
"Genetic Disorders: Presentations from Infancy to Adulthood" American Academy of Dermatology 72nd Annual Meeting (2014)
"Numerous and Large Cafe-Au-Lait Macules: Evaluation and Management of NF1 and Related Disorders" American Academy of Dermatology 72nd Annual Meeting; Scientific Session (2014)
Case Presentation faculty mentor: Olmsted syndrome; Linear porokeratosis; Minnesota Dermatological Society (2022)
33rd Biennial Dermatology Symposium: The O’Leary Meeting hosted by Mayo Clinic; Introduction of Paul A. O’Leary Lecturer (2022)
Medical Director, Golisano Children’s Hospital Outpatient Dermatology; Medical Director (2022–present)
National Organization of Rare Disease (NORD), Centers of Excellence Medical Professional Education Working Group; Rare Disease Centers of Excellence Medical Professional Education Working Group (2022–present)
BMC Case Reports; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2020–2022)
New England Journal of Medicine; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2020–present)
VHL (Von Hippel Lindau) Alliance; Study Section (2019–2022)
Journal of Medical Genetics; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2019–2022)
Molecular Genetics and Genomic Medicine; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2019–2022)
Molecular Genetics and Metabolism; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2018–2022)
Journal of Pediatric Dermatology; Editorial Board Member (2018–present)
Journal of American Academy of Dermatology Case Reports; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2018–2022)
Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA); Co-Chair, Awards and Grants Committee (2018–2021)
What's That? Syndrome Update; Session Director, American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting (2017–2020)
Journal of the American Medical Association; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2017–2022)
Pediatric and Blood Cancer; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2017–2022)
BMC Research Notes; Ad-hoc reviewer (2017–2022)
Genetics in Medicine; Ad-hoc Reviewer (2017–2022)
Society for Pediatric Dermatology; Awards and Grants, Committee Chair (2017–2020)