Ronald G. Wheeland

Dr. Ronald G. Wheeland was born and raised in Arizona to a family of limited means. However, he put himself through college and received his B.S. and M.D. from the University of Arizona. Following completion of his dermatology residency, he completed two fellowships, one in dermatopathology and one in Mohs surgery. He is board-certified in both dermatology and dermatopathology.

He has performed basic research at Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratories that led to an improved basic understanding of how lasers interact with the skin and how best to use those devices. He has also performed numerous clinical research projects that have improved the care of patients with chronic wounds, various vascular conditions, skin cancer and excess or unwanted hair. These activities have lead to over 230 publications, including 8 textbooks. He has served as senior editor, assistant editor or co-editor of many publications, including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, and Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.

He has demonstrated his leadership through chairing three different university's departments of dermatology and now directs the surgical training of residents as Chief of Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Missouri. His political activism has lead him to his election as President of the American Academy of Dermatology where he helped raise nearly $500,000 for the American Red Cross to assist the victims of the 9/11 tragedy and also developed the first Leadership Conference for the Academy that continues even today. He was also elected to serve as President of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the Pacific Dermatology Association.