It is with great sadness that Practical Dermatology® magazine pays our respects to Drs. Melanie Grossman and Marta Rendon.

By Wendy Lewis

It is with great sadness that Practical Dermatology® magazine pays our respects to two very talented and respected dermatologists,  Melanie Grossman, MD and Marta Rendon, MD.

Melanie Grossman, MD

1962 - 2021

Dr. Grossman was a trailblazer in her field and among the first female dermatologists to embrace energy-based devices. She earned her BA from Princeton University, her MD from New York University, completed a residency in Dermatology at Columbia University and a fellowship in laser dermatology at Harvard under the direction of Rox Anderson, MD. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Grossman was a co-inventor and patent-holder of laser hair removal. She opened her private practice in New York City in 2001 and was a prolific researcher, avid writer and welcomed presenter at conferences worldwide. On January 26th, she passed away after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her father, her husband David Worby, stepmother Donna Hirsch Grossman, sisters Gayle Grossman-Alweiss (Gary) and Elyn Grossman Levine (Adam), stepbrother Andrew Hirsch (Stefanie), stepchildren Jess (Merrill), Rebecca and Samuel Worby, Ryan and Max Alweiss, Jake Levine, and nieces Sydney and Reece Levine, and Jordana and Skylar Hirsch. 

Marta Rendon, MD

1957–2021

Born in Medellin, Columbia, Dr. Rendon enjoyed an illustrious and fulfilling career in dermatology with many important achievements. Her life was tragically cut short by her battle with pancreatic cancer. Among her many accomplishments, she served as President of Women’s Dermatologic Society, President and Founder of American Society of Aesthetics Dermatology and Surgery, and the Skin of Color Society. Dr. Rendon started her career in South Florida at the Cleveland Clinic where she became the Chairman of Dermatology and Member of the Board of Governors before she opened her flourishing private practice in Boca Raton, The Rendon Center. She grew her practice to become a destination in South Florida, with multiple physicians, more than 50 employees, and a full-time research department, which was one of her passions. She had a big heart and devoted herself to many charities in her community, including Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, Boca Helping Hands, Marine Education Initiative, and the Spirit of Giving. Dr. Rendon is survived by her son, Juan, her partner, Bret, his children, Robyn and Ben, her brothers, Jorge Rendon and Uriel Rendon, her nieces and nephews, Jorge Rendon, Michelle Rendon, Julian Rendon, Nick Rendon, Uri Rendon, Brett Rendon, and Lana Rendon.  

Photo: Martha Rendon, MD