Bio
Susan M. Swetter, M.D., is Professor of Dermatology, Assistant Chief of the Dermatology Service at the VA Palo Alto, Director of the Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program, and Physician Leader of the Cancer Care Program in Cutaneous Oncology at Stanford University Medical Center and Cancer Institute. Her research interests encompass both primary and secondary melanoma prevention, including therapeutic prevention strategies in patients with atypical nevi and targeted screening/education of high-risk groups for improved melanoma awareness and early detection. Her clinical interests are in cutaneous oncology (focused on pigmented lesions/melanoma) and adult general medical dermatology (at VA Palo Alto). Dr. Swetter joined the Stanford Dermatology faculty in 1994 following dermatology residency/chief residency at Stanford and internal medicine internship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Swetter received her MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and her BA with Distinction from the University of Virginia.
Clinical Focus
- Cancer > Cutaneous (Dermatologic) Oncology
- Pigmented Skin Lesions
- Melanoma
- Skin Cancer
- Basal/ Squamous Cell Carcinomas - VA Dermatology
- Dermatology
- Cutaneous Oncology
- Basal / Squamous Cell Carcinomas - Dermatology
- Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program
- Melanoma - Dermatology
- Pigmented Skin Lesions - Dermatology
- Pigmented Skin Lesions - Medical Oncology
- Skin Cancer - Dermatology
Administrative Appointments
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Director, Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program, Stanford Cancer Institute (1995 - Present)
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Member, Melanoma/Skin Cancer Committee, American Academy of Dermatology (1999 - 2009)
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Co-founder and Co-Chair, Melanoma Prevention Working Group, Cooperative Oncology Intergroup/National Clinical Trials Network (2002 - Present)
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Medical Advisory Board, AIM at Melanoma (2005 - Present)
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Member, Scientific Programs Committee, Melanoma Section, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2006 - 2008)
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Member, Melanoma Clinical Guidelines Task Force, American Academy of Dermatology (2006 - 2012)
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Member, Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, Santa Clara County Unit (2007 - Present)
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Member, Melanoma Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2007 - Present)
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President, Board of Directors, American Cancer Society, Santa Clara County Unit (2009 - 2011)
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Physician Leader, Cancer Care Program in Cutaneous Oncology, Stanford Cancer Institute (2012 - Present)
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Medical Advisory Panel, Melanoma Research Alliance (2013 - Present)
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Advisory Board, Stanford Women and Sex Differences in Medicine (WSDM) Center (2014 - 2016)
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Chair, Melanoma Work Group, Clinical Practice Guidelines Update, American Academy of Dermatology (2015 - 2019)
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Inaugural Member (Affiliate), Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences (2015 - Present)
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Member, Council of Cancer Leaders, Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center (2015 - Present)
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Founding Member, War on Melanoma™ Federation of States Partnership (2016 - Present)
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Cutaneous Melanoma Workgroup, International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) Initiative (2018 - 2019)
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Founder and Statewide Leader, Wipe Out Melanoma - California (2018 - Present)
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Co-Leader, UV Exposure/Melanoma Advisory Subcommittee, California’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, 2021-2025, California Dialogue on Cancer (CDOC) (2019 - Present)
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Dermatology Council, Melanoma Research Alliance (2019 - Present)
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Chair, Melanoma Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2020 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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Nominated, Kaiser Award for Clinical Teaching, Stanford University School of Medicine (2003, 2004, 2005)
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Nominated, Franklin G. Ebaugh, Jr. Award (outstanding dedication to advising medical students), Stanford University School of Medicine (1999, 2001, 2004, 2009)
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Recognition for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford University School of Medicine (2004, 2009)
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Presidents Volunteer Service Award, Presidents Council on Service & Civic Participation, Corporation for National & Community Service (2007)
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Leadership Award, Melanoma Care Coalition (2007)
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Elected Member, American Dermatological Association (2011)
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Humanitarian Award Recipient, Melanoma Research Foundation (2012)
Professional Education
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Residency: Stanford University School of Medicine (1994) CA
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Medical Education: Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania (1990) PA
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Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology (1994)
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Chief Residency, Stanford University, Dermatology (1994)
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Dermatology Residency, Stanford University, Dermatology (1994)
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Internship: UCSF Medical Center (1991) CA
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Internship, Univ. of California, San Francisco, Internal Medicine (1991)
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MD, University of Pennsylvania, Medicine (1990)
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BA with Distinction, University of Virginia, Echols Interdisciplinary Studies (Biology/English) (1986)
Community and International Work
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Philos Health Medical Relief Trips to Bohol, Philippines, Bohol, Philippines
Topic
Skin care/primary care
Partnering Organization(s)
Philos Health
Populations Served
Indigent villagers
Location
International
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes
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President, Board of Directors, American Cancer Society Santa Clara County Unit, Campbell, CA
Topic
Leadership in ACS community-based cancer outreach, advocacy, and volunteer efforts.
Partnering Organization(s)
American Cancer Society
Populations Served
Cancer patients in Santa Clara County
Location
Bay Area
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes
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Program Director, Stanford Skin Cancer Screening Program, 1995-2011, Stanford Medicine Outpatient Clinics
Topic
Skin cancer screening
Partnering Organization(s)
American Academy of Dermatology, Stanford Dermatology Department, Stanford Cancer Institute
Populations Served
Individuals at increased risk for skin cancer/melanoma
Location
Bay Area
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes