Heather W. Goff, M.D., M.P.H.

Heather W. Goff, M.D., M.P.H.

  • Phillip J. Eichhorn, M.D. Professorship in Clinical Dermatology
  • Dermatology - General
  • Cutaneous Lymphoma

Biography

Heather W. Goff, M.D., M.P.H., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. 

She is an American Board of Dermatology-certified general dermatologist with special expertise in evaluating and treating cutaneous lymphoma

Dr. Goff earned her medical degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society and also completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in dermatology.

She holds a Master of Public Health (International Health) from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Studio Art) from Texas Tech University.

She joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2014.

Active in training the next generation of dermatologists, Dr. Goff is a recognized leader in dermatology student education both at UT Southwestern and nationally.

Her many professional honors include the Department of Dermatology’s 2015 Outstanding Teacher Award and the American Academy of Dermatology’s Presidential Citation for Basic Dermatology Curriculum in both 2013 and 2017.

Dr. Goff’s research interests include cutaneous lymphoma, medical education, mycosis fungoides, and preventive medicine/health promotion. She takes part in some of the UT Southwestern-based clinical trials to evaluate cutaneous lymphoma treatments.

She is a member of professional organizations that include the American Medical Association, American Academy of Dermatology, United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium, International Society for Cutaneous Lymphoma, and Women’s Dermatology Society.

Meet Dr. Goff

Dermatologist Heather W. Goff, M.D., M.P.H., specializes in evaluating and treating patients with cutaneous lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops in the skin.

Dr. Goff sees patients in UT Southwestern Medical Center’s dedicated cutaneous lymphoma clinic, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists is united under one roof.

“Because cutaneous lymphoma is a rare condition that can be hard to recognize, diagnose, and treat, it often requires coordination of care between multiple specialties,” she says. “Our team of cutaneous lymphoma experts includes dermatologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and others.” 

The cutaneous lymphoma spectrum is broad, Dr. Goff notes. Not only are there different cellular varieties of the disease but the course of cutaneous lymphoma can range from very aggressive to low-grade and slow-growing.

“This is why effectively treating cutaneous lymphoma isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition – and why it’s so important to accurately diagnose it as early as possible and to tailor the treatments to address the specific needs of each individual patient,” she says.

As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Goff also examines patients for skin cancer and evaluates and treats people with a broad range of non-cancerous skin conditions, including rosacea, acne, psoriasis, and moles. She has a special interest in preventing and treating the effects of chronic sun damage. 

The Art and Science of Diagnosis

Dr. Goff – who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree – is active in dermatology education, as well, and enjoys integrating visual art concepts into her teaching.

“Diagnosing skin diseases is sort of like taking an art history class,” she says. “If you look at a Van Gogh, you know it's a Van Gogh, and if you look at a Matisse, you know it's a Matisse – and you can explain in detail why it's one or the other.”

The same is true for many skin conditions, she explains.

“Certain conditions have very distinct features and appearances, and just looking at a person’s skin can tell us a lot about what’s going on with his or her health.”

Dr. Goff is also interested in preserving the history of dermatology and maintains a website dedicated to that.

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Education & Training
  • Residency - UT Health Science Center - San Antonio (2004-2007), Dermatology
  • Medical School - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (1999-2003)
  • Internship - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (2003-2004), Internal Medicine
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American Academy of Dermatology (2003)
  • Women's Dermatologic Society (2013)
  • United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (2014)
  • International Society for Cutaneous Lymphoma (2014)
  • Society for Investigative Dermatology (2015)
  • Dallas Dermatological Society (2016)
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor, 2020, 2022
  • Philip J. Eichhorn Professorship in Clinical Dermatology 2017
Books & Publications
Research
  • Preventive Medicine/Public Health
  • Mycosis Fungoides
  • Medical Education
  • Cutaneous Lymphoma
  • Art and Medicine

Clinical Focus

  • Cutaneous Lymphoma

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Q&A by Dr. Goff

Results: 1 Locations