Dr. Vegas Blog 2.22.2026 A Little Grace

Dr. H.L. Greenberg

My Uncle Freddie passed on Valentine’s Day, he was a real Sweetheart, sold men’s clothes to hockey players and insurance back in the day- all in that town starting with a C from that state beginning with an O 3 hours South of Ann Arbor.  Hospice and my Cousin were with him the whole time, sharing his passing with dignified grace, making sure he didn’t go into the next adventure alone.  Freddie passed at the same time we were praying for my Uncle (Freddie’s Brother-in-Law)- the timing felt predestined.  My Mom enjoys saying, "When Times are Good, Enjoy Them, Because when They're Bad, They're Sh*t."  Nothing lasts forever, despite our wishes that the Good Times would never end.  Everyone is dealing with something, and I am well aware of how difficult life can be; when patients arrive late, I rarely ask why, instead I thank them for being there.  When my own Doctor arrives 50 minutes late for our designated visit, the 1st thing I say to him is, “Thank you Dr. for seeing me today.”  A little Grace goes a long way.

Having spent time with my Folks, Family and Friends in the Mountains of Colorado, I am remain convinced of life’s fragility and that Father time remains undefeated.  Colorado Springs is Olympic City, USA and while visiting an Olympic Museum event, we met multiple Gold Medalists including a synchronized swimmer from Atlanta 1996- she’s becoming a nurse and we discussed a career in Aesthetic Dermatology.  The Olympics have been heartwarming and inspiring, I was especially moved by Ilia Malinin (aka the Quad G-d) who failed to Medal in his signature ice skating event, falling multiple times and turning in an uncharacteristic 8th place performance when he was predestined for Gold.  While his Team USA teammate, Max Naumov, whose parents passed over the Potomac river in Washington, D.C. when a US Military Helicopter struck a commercial airliner 1/29/2025 sat with tears in his eyes awaiting his score after an electric performance holding a photo of him as a little ice skater parents on either side, saying he hopes he made them proud.

In the Colorado mountains my 74-year-old friend recounted how his jovial, lovable, brilliant physician friend took his own life this year.  It hit me hard, as I recalled the same thing happening to my good physician friend in 2025- both of us lamented that the people we thought the happiest, funniest and best to be around were suffering through depression.  When I told my Rabbi about my own friend’s passing, he said, “You never really know what’s going on with someone.”  2 more friends told me this month they have cancer, it’s crushing, I don’t know how they cope with it and what they’re going through. I have even more sympathy for them.  Each of us is dealing with something, and I don’t know how we do it.  If you or someone you know needs help, get it or click here.

In medicine, we meet people at vulnerable moments: when they’re worried, frustrated, anxious, or simply exhausted from fighting a deeply flawed system.  We do our best with the information we have, and sometimes that information changes.  Sometimes expectations don’t align and goals take longer to achieve leading to an emotional response.  Even well-intentioned ideas don’t always resonate, I thought my staff wanted Bowling night (only me) and my Derm Bro thought they wanted Movie night (only him), as it turns out team LVDerm wants a Golden Knight (Hockey Game).  Life goes on, and I’m doing my best to accept what I can’t control.  I must give myself a little Grace when I’ve put in as much effort as possible and failed to accomplish a goal, because not everything is meant for us.

As I compose this Dr. Vegas blog, I am reconciling who I currently am with who I could become and it’s frustrating that this is my best at the moment.  Hollywood Hino stayed at my house a couple months ago- it was an eye-opening experience having a super motivated former Professional Boxer and Celebrity Trainer hanging around.  Hino and I met at fight camp/AKA Thailand and have been friends ever since.  Hino motivates me to do better, and to buy more eggs, because that dude can eat.  Like Yoda, Hino doesn’t believe in trying, he believes in doing.  Repetition, motivation, action, hard work, dedication- how you do one thing is how you do everything- there is no secret, there is only the doing.  Giving Grace to others, and to ourselves, may be one of the hardest and most important things we do.

A medical student recently asked what it takes to improve her chances of becoming a Dermatologist and I told her that because Dermatology is the most competitive residency, she must do everything- every paper, extra assignment and opportunity.  Help make her dream a reality by joining Las Vegas Dermatology® and I for Sun Run Las Vegas this Mother’s Day.  Dig deep the next few months, run a couple miles a week and compete in our 5K- benefitting Las Vegas Dermatology Foundation- a 501C3.  If you don’t run well, it’s ok, at least you competed and you can give yourself a little Grace.

If you or someone you know has Atopic Eczema, Hidradenitis, Psoriasis, Skin Cancer, Hives/Urticaria or Vitiligo- we are running multiple clinical trials; visit us today.

Dr. Vegas

H.L. Greenberg, M.D. is Dr. Vegas, the founder of Las Vegas Dermatology®, ½ of the
Derm Bros®, a Muay Thai enthusiast, Skier, World Traveler, Videographer, YouTuber
and President of the Las Vegas Dermatology Foundation- a 501c3 providing for a
Healthier and More Beautiful Life, using Dermatology as the Inspiration.