Dr. David Harker

By Lin Lofley

Most medical students who pursue a dermatology residency first decide that they are interested in the specialty and then undertake research in order to strengthen their application. For Dr. David Harker, the process was reversed. His interest in dermatology came as the result of an investigation he joined the summer after his first year at UT Southwestern Medical School.

“Near the end of my first year the Dermatology Chief Resident sent an email looking for a student with basic science experience to join a melanoma research project,” Dr. Harker said. “My undergraduate research in genetics at Brigham Young University had helped me develop a skill set that seemed well-suited. I didn’t yet have any plans for my summer, so I sent in my CV, was asked in for an interview, and eventually landed a spot in Dr. Ponciano Cruz’s laboratory.

“At that point, I hadn’t seriously considered dermatology as a potential career, but my experiences both in the lab and in the clinic during the melanoma project sparked an interest in the specialty.”

Three years later, and after much hard work excelling in medical school and preparing himself for the competitive field of dermatology, Dr. Harker is the co-winner of the Award for Excellence in Dermatology, sharing the 2016 prize with Dr. Sam Jeong.

The Dermatology Award is given to UT Southwestern graduating medical students who have advanced dermatological patient care, research, or teaching in a special way, or who show promise for leadership in these areas. Each of the recipients will get a certificate and $500.

“Eventually, I discovered that dermatology is a mix of internal medicine, surgery, pathology, and abundant research opportunities,” Dr. Harker said. “It was exactly what I was looking for in a specialty, and I began to pursue a position in dermatology for residency more seriously.”

His co-award winner, Dr. Jeong, noted that Dr. Harker has stood out as a student at UT Southwestern in more ways than just academic excellence: “I think first and foremost, that I have tremendous respect for David’s ability to successfully manage medical school with being a husband, and father to two beautiful children. Medical school is a tremendous commitment, both in terms of time, resources, and emotional “real estate” so to speak, as I am sure two young children (one of whom was born during medical school, and the other four weeks before it started) must be. I think his ability to be a stellar student while also being a wonderful father and husband – I see pictures of him playing with his son and daughter all the time! – is a strong testament to his character and discipline.”

Dr. Harker attributes his success to a work ethic gained from time in his youth helping on the family farm caring for cattle, building barbed wire fences, and managing the landscaping. 

He also feels that, if anything, having a family in medical school has been an advantage, not a hindrance, during his education: “My wife and children have been a huge asset to me during this important time in my professional development. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without my wife, Monica. She provided constant support during my long days at the hospital and late nights studying, and spending time with her and my children is always a recharging and revitalizing experience. Having a family provides me extrinsic motivation to succeed, and I constantly strive to do my best, not only for myself, but also for the family that depends on me.”

Dr. Harker will spend his preliminary internal medicine year in Dallas at Baylor University Medical Center, and then return to UT Southwestern for three years of specialized training in dermatology.

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Dr. Cruz holds the Paul R. Bergstresser, M.D., Chair in Dermatology.