Lily Talakoub, MD

Class Year: 2005

Specialty: Dermatology

Current practice: Mclean Dermatology and Skincare Center

Fond memory of BUSM:
BUSM was one of the most memorable periods of my life. Being a doctor is the greatest gift I have ever been given. I work every day as a doctor and never take for granted how grateful I am to be able to do what I do. From the day I opened my acceptance letter, which still I treasure, to my white coat ceremony in which I had to pinch myself that I was there, to the first day of class where I sat in the front row every day of every class, to every single day that I wear my white coat.
I am grateful to be given the gift of being a doctor, to be in such a magnificent school in which my amazing training has guided me in the doctor I am today. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t short but I think back to the unbelievable teachers and mentors and know that I was blessed to be there.

Favorite professor or course at BUSM:
Physiology / Dr. Paul O’brien
This was by far the most challenging class and I ate up every minute of it. It built the foundation to understand anatomy and medicine. I’ll never forget the weekly quizzes (I still have grey hairs from them) and the impossible exams which challenged you to think, not regurgitate. I taught myself how to learn and study medicine from that class. I still think about Dr. O’brien and the chalkboard with a million formulas and pathways. Nothing beats being challenged and rising to learn a subject that will live with you forever. I am forever grateful for those challenges.

Most recent accomplishment:
Expansion of my practice that serves over 600 patients a month to a 5000sq ft state of the art office.

Hobbies outside of work:
Spending time with my 3 kids, music and dancing, and the ocean which brings me peace.

Academic appointments:
Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
I have been named a “Top Doctor” and “Top Dermatologist” in Washington since I founded my practice, McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center.

Recent publications:
I am on the dermatology panel at Condé Nast and contribute to various publications such as Vogue, InStyle, Health, Shape, Brides, Parenting and more.

Any other thoughts to share:
I launched my business in 2009 with no staff and only a cell phone. My integrity in both skincare and aesthetics is evident as you walk through the expansive 5000sq ft. McLean office where I lead dermatologists and see over 50 patients a day. My work and my staff have become family and my patients are why after over a decade, I still love coming to work every day. My energy is limitless; including being a mom of three, I also just launched my third business this year, which is a dermatologist-meets-drugstore e-commerce site.