DANVILLE — Christen Maria Mowad, an associate in the Geisinger Medical Center Dermatology Division and president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology, always knew she’d wind up being a doctor.

After all, she had the perfect role model: her father, Joseph, a urologist at Geisinger.

“I knew what it meant to be a doctor,” she said, “because it was always a part of my home life. I knew about the often long hours, and the dedication required to be a physician. Thanks to my father, I could see that being a doctor was a noble profession.”

Mowad did admit, however, to a brief flirtation with politics.

“I worked on Capitol Hill as an intern for Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, 11th District, but ultimately, I felt like I could accomplish more, help people more, as a physician,” she said.

Mowad graduated summa cum laude from Bucknell University and then went to the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine in 1987.

At medical school, students are exposed to various specialties, and that is when Mowad said she fell in love with dermatology.

“It’s an extremely visual field,” she said. “Patients can actually see their problem. And, over time, they can see the improvements made after treatment.”

Mowad also liked the idea of establishing long-term relationships with her patients. Often, with dermatologic problems, there are no set cures, so doctors and patients meet regularly through the years.

“It’s very gratifying when a patient can see progress,” she said. “There is a psychological aspect to this as well. Helping a patient can change their entire outlook on life. You wind up helping their skin and their psyche.”

Throughout her professional career, she also has enjoyed taking leadership positions in local and statewide professional groups.

Mowad’s appointment as an officer of the state’s largest dermatology society will allow her to focus on member education, patient safety and scope of practice.

“I am honored to represent the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery as president,” she said. “The PAD is a very active group representing more than 300 dermatologists and is working to improve patient care issues as well.”

With such a full agenda, you’d think Mowad wouldn’t have time for anything else.

But, she has a family of her own that requires care. “I have two young children,” she said, with a laugh. “They keep me busy.”