Healing More Than Skin
Victoria Asuquo, MD Candidate
Founder, Beneath the Surface
My Journey into Medicine
My journey into medicine was reaffirmed from a deeply personal moment, the night my father had his first stroke. I remember the fear that hung in the air and how powerless I felt watching someone I loved suffer. Amongst the things that left the biggest impact on me, however, wasn’t just the medical care he received, it was the way his doctor took time to understand our culture, our language, and fears. That moment planted a seed. It showed me how healing is not just about diagnoses and procedures, it’s about connection, empathy, and advocacy.
As I moved through my academic journey, I held onto that lesson when I faced a struggle of my own. I developed a persistent and painful skin condition that left me feeling reclusive and insecure. It was a challenging time, both physically, emotionally, and socially. But what changed everything was the care I received from my dermatologist. She saw me not just as a patient, but as a person. She treated me with compassion, listened to my concerns, and helped me feel confident in my skin again. That experience didn’t just heal my skin; it reignited my sense of self.
Dermatology quickly became the bridge between two of my deepest passions: the science of the human body and the power of restoring self-worth. I realized that the skin is so much more than just a physical barrier, it’s where we show up in the world. And when someone is battling a visible skin condition, it can affect every part of their identity. I want to be the kind of physician who sees that, who understands that, and who helps people reclaim their confidence.
That desire took root early. While in college, I volunteered with the Look Good Feel Better program, working with patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. I helped teach skincare techniques, but more importantly, I witnessed the strength it took to battle terminal illnesses while holding onto self-esteem. Helping patients feel empowered, comfortable, beautiful, and seen, despite the toll of treatment, was a profound reminder of how powerful dermatologic care can be.
As a medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine, I’ve had the opportunity to build on that foundation. I've worked with underserved communities and mentored other students navigating through the field of medicine. My experiences at Morehouse have reinforced what I believe to be true: medicine is about service, and dermatology is a unique space where science meets self-empowerment.
Now, as I prepare for residency, I carry all of those experiences with me the fear and hope I felt beside my father, the vulnerability of being a patient myself, and the privilege of standing alongside others in their own health journeys. These moments have shaped who I am and the kind of dermatologist I hope to become. Every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and confident and I’m committed to being a physician who helps make that possible.
