The Person I Am Today

Lander College for Men Alum Josh Fox’s Path to Dermatology

March 22, 2019

Fox, originally from Miami, planned to go to an Ivy League school for college. This changed after he spent a year in Israel. “I realized I didn’t want the typical ‘college experience,’ he recounted. “I wanted a yeshiva experience while getting everything I needed to succeed in medical school. After visiting LCM, I realized that it was a fantastic place where I could learn Torah while getting that [sciences] training. Lander College for Men was the right place for me.”

During his time at LCM, he developed close relationships with LCM faculty members Dr. Kenneth Danishefsky, chair of the biology department, and Dr. Ann Shinnar, deputy chair of the chemistry department. Dr. Shinnar was Fox’s pre-med advisor.

“Dr. Shinnar was with me for three years and helped me get to the next phase of my life,” said Fox. “Dr. Danishefsky was incredible—especially how he teaches as a frum professor. He showed us the wonder of creation through the sciences. It’s nice to have a professor who has a similar religious philosophy and brings that into the classroom now and again.”

After graduating, Fox received a scholarship to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He thrived in medical school and landed a coveted dermatology residency at the University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital, one of the nation’s top dermatology programs.

“Dermatology is a fantastic field,” said Fox. “It’s a beautiful of mix of procedural and diagnostic medicine.” And you can readily see the impact. “When someone has a problem with their skin it can affect their self-esteem and inhibit their ability to function as a member of society.”

“LCM allowed me to become the physician I wanted to become and raise the family I wanted to raise,” concluded Fox. “It allowed me to learn the Torah and the sciences I wanted to learn. Lander College for Men allowed me to grow into the person that I am today.”