Dr. Leah A. Cardwell is a dual board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist with deep expertise in complex medical dermatology, inflammatory skin disease, and skin-of-color dermatology. She brings more than a decade of experience across clinical care, research, and academic dermatology, spanning medical, surgical, and diagnostic dermatology.

Dr. Cardwell provides comprehensive medical dermatology care for diverse patient populations, integrating expertise in both clinical dermatology and dermatopathology to deliver precise diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.  With extensive training across leading programs, including a dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Alabama–Birmingham, dermatology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and a clinical research fellowship at Wake Forest University, Dr. Cardwell has built a distinguished career at the intersection of clinical care, biopsychosocial research, and diagnostic excellence.

She has published widely in dermatology and dermatopathology, contributing more than 30 peer-reviewed publications, spanning hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, biologics, cutaneous oncology, pediatric dermatology, rosacea, rare tumors, and inflammatory dermatoses. Dr. Cardwell has also presented at numerous national conferences, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP), and multiple regional dermatology societies.

Education & Training

• Dermatopathology Fellowship, University of Alabama–Birmingham  Leah Cardwell CV 8.2025 HL
• Dermatology Residency, Medical College of Wisconsin  Leah Cardwell CV 8.2025 HL
• Clinical Research Fellowship, Wake Forest University, Department of Dermatology  Leah Cardwell CV 8.2025 HL
• Internal Medicine Internship, Medical College of Wisconsin 
• M.D., Howard University College of Medicine
• B.S., Biology, Howard University (Laureate Scholar; National Achievement Scholar)

Professional Associations

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
• American Society of Dermatopathology
• Women’s Dermatologic Society
• National Medical Association

Selected Publications

• Acquired epidermodysplasia verruciformis and the immunosuppressive state: two case reports. Cutis.(Submitted) 
• Deep-seated pyogenic granuloma presenting as a subcutaneous blue papule. Pediatric Dermatology.(Submitted)
• Post-transplant primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma in a pediatric patient. J Cutan Pathol.(Submitted)
• Why dermatology is the second least diverse specialty in medicine. Clin Dermatol. 2020. 
• Rubella vaccine persistence in CVID. Am J Dermatopathol. 2020.
• Cutaneous metastases of papillary renal cell carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol. 2019.
• HS: Depression, validation of self-assessment tools, and QoL studies. Multiple publications.
• Rosacea research including triggers, severity measurement, psychosocial factors, and adherence.
• Psoriasis biologics, cytokine pathways, and treatment adherence (multiple articles).

Selected Presentations

• American Society of Dermatopathology — Women in Dermatopathology Panel (2024)
• Women’s Dermatologic Society — Fellowship & DEI career panels (2023, 2024)
• American Academy of Dermatology — Pediatric T-cell lymphoma presentation (2020)
• ASDP Annual Meeting — Cutaneous metastases in RCC (2019)
• Multiple regional society presentations on atopic dermatitis, biologics, emergency dermatology, and more.  Leah Cardwell CV 8.2025 HL

Leadership & Service

Dr. Cardwell is deeply committed to mentorship, diversity, and community health. She has served in leadership and volunteer roles across:

• WDS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
• AAD Camp Discovery
• Community health outreach programs
• Mentorship of medical students and undergraduates pursuing dermatology or medicine
• Free clinics and patient-education initiatives across Washington, D.C.