Introducing Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology
“With great enthusiasm, we are immensely proud to re-introduce ourselves as Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology. Dr. Katie Beleznay has been an integral part of our team for many years, and we’re thrilled that she’s chosen to make this space her permanent home. To us, this name change feels like the natural evolution of our practice, and a reflection of how important Dr. Beleznay is to our team. She brings the best in patient care, and innovative contributions through teaching and research.” – Dr. Shannon Humphrey
The Story Behind Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology
It all began more than 17 years ago. Shannon and Katie first met in 2005, when Katie was a medical student, and Shannon a dermatology resident.
From a windowless storage locker to panoramic views of Vancouver.
Their first research project together, a study of melanoma risk factors, took them to a downtown Vancouver dermatology practice to review hundreds of patient charts. These charts happened to reside in a windowless, poorly ventilated storage locker, with one lone bulb as their only source of light. For two weeks, the pair poured over these charts together, fueled by Americano Mistos (a drink Shannon introduced to Katie that summer – still her drink of choice). Needless to say, they learned a lot about one another over the course of this project; Shannon recalls this as the moment she learned that Katie is focused, ambitious, and not afraid to put in the work. The pair also recognized they had a lot in common, namely a passion for dermatology, and a strong work ethic.
Over the years that followed, they continued to work together. When Shannon completed her fellowship and started working, Katie, now a dermatology resident, did rotations with her in general and aesthetic dermatology. They continued to research together, and when Katie graduated, she completed her cosmetic dermatology fellowship with Dr. Humphrey along with Drs. Jean and Alastair Carruthers. At this point, it became clear the two had a shared passion for intentional and holistic treatment planning in the aesthetic space. Their partnership, at the practice that has now become Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology, really became official when Katie joined in 2014.
It’s all in the family.
One story they both like to tell is this one: in 2015 Shannon and Katie were pregnant with their first sons—Shannon’s fourth child Stanley, and Katie’s first child Jacob—at the same time. They ended up delivering these babies in immediately adjacent delivery rooms at BC Women’s Hospital within 4 hours of one another (luckily, the dermatology office was undergoing renovations at the time!). Within weeks, both were back at work, pumping in their offices between patients, encouraging one another all the way.
Their journey has seen many research projects, published articles, and textbook chapters written. It’s seen the evolution of technology, from landlines and pagers in medical school and residency, to email and texting, to sending each other Voice Memos from planes and FaceTiming throughout the COVID-19 pandemic closures. The pair has traveled the world together for work and pleasure, to the Caribbean, Mexico, Belize, Hawaii, Bahamas, all over the U.S., and Korea. Their friendship has seen them through studies and exams, presentations, holidays, new homes, new babies, and ultimately, the growth of one of the globe’s most dynamic cosmetic teams. And now, they are officially: Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology.
So, what does this mean for you, our patients?
Our patients can rely on the same 360° approach to cosmetic dermatology and patient care. You can continue to expect collaborative treatment planning, the most effective and safest treatments available, and a relationship with our patients that spans years. Humphrey & Beleznay Cosmetic Dermatology remains committed to cosmetic innovation and beautiful, natural-looking results. The only difference? Now, there are two globally recognized experts at the helm.
