Dr. Vanessa Gildenstern, MD, FAAP

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Get to know Pediatric Dermatologist & Pediatrician Dr. Vanessa Gildenstern, who serves patients in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Dr. Gildenstern is a board-certified pediatric dermatologist & pediatrician who can be found on staff within the Dermatology Department at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. 

“We understand the importance of caring for specific dermatology needs, from routine diagnosis to complex, rare skin diseases. We provide the latest medications and technology available for the specialized treatment of all skin disease and disorders in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. We also work hard to further the field of pediatric dermatology by offering a fellowship program focused on research and clinical trials” as stated on their website. 

Among her academic affiliations, Dr. Gildenstern has served as an Instructor in Pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science; an Assistant Clinical Professor within the Department of Pediatrics at the Creighton University School of Medicine; a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Child Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix; and a Clinical Rotation Director (pediatric dermatology elective) of the Maricopa Medical Center Residency Program at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. 

On the subject of her academic career, she earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Upon graduation, she went on to complete her internship, residency, and fellowship at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), the doctor is board-certified in pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), which is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. Founded in 1933, the ABP is an independent, nonprofit organization whose certificate is recognized throughout the world as a credential signifying a high level of physician competence. Certification by the ABP has one objective, to promote excellence in medical care for children and adolescents.

Pediatric dermatology is a subspeciality of dermatology, the branch of medicine dealing with the skin. A pediatric dermatologist cares for children (newborns through adolescents) with skin disorders. They treat children in the outpatient clinic setting, but may also care for hospitalized patients. Many perform surgical procedures such as laser therapy and cutaneous surgery.

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. As a pediatrician, Dr. Gildenstern provides medical care to people ranging in age from newborns to young adults. She is trained to examine, diagnose, and treat children with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses through all of their developmental stages, as they grow and mature. 

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