Voluntary faculty are typically clinicians or others who are employed outside of the School but make significant contributions to department programs at the medical center or at affiliate institutions.
Voluntary rank detailsRhonda Klein, MD, MPH, FAAD
Assistant Clinical ProfessorAbout
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Titles
Chief, Dermatology, Bridgeport Hospital
Biography
Dr. Rhonda Klein is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology, specializing in complex cutaneous diseases. She has a special interest in autoimmune diseases, including lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and systemic sclerosis, as well as hereditary and autoimmune blistering diseases. During her training, she spent one year as a NIH research fellow focusing on rheumatologic dermatology to further her expertise on autoimmune cutaneous diseases.
Dr. Rhonda Klein earned her BAS in Bioengineering and MD with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, and her MPH from Columbia University. She completed her medical internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology Residency at Yale–New Haven Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident.
As Co-Founder and Vice President of Modern Dermatology of Connecticut, Dr. Klein provides comprehensive care in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, while overseeing the practice’s clinical operations. She also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale–New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital (former Chief of Dermatology), and the West Haven VA, and as Clinical Professor at Quinnipiac University’s Netter School of Medicine, where she leads the dermatology curriculum.
Dr. Klein’s expertise is recognized nationally—she has been honored as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2016–2025), Exceptional Women in Medicine (2018–2025), and New York Metro Top Doctor (2024). Additional accolades include Fairfield County Top Doctor, America’s Most Honored Doctors – Top 1%, and Fairfield County Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
Dr. Klein is an active contributor to dermatologic literature, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications, and serves as a frequent expert for leading beauty and lifestyle media outlets. She previously served on the ASDS Public Service Work Group and as an editor for the American Academy of Dermatology’s “Dialogues in Dermatology”. Dr. Klein is a member of the Penn Bioengineering Advisory Board and the Penn Alumni Ambassador Program. Passionate about mentorship and service, Dr. Klein volunteers with Horizons GFA and A Better Chance of Westport, and integrates global volunteerism into her travel through her family foundation, “Travel with Purpose,” providing medical and community aid in Nicaragua, Tanzania, Belize, Cuba, Antigua, Botswana, Anchorage AK, and Ghana.
Appointments
Dermatology
Assistant Clinical ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Resident
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (2011)
- Chief Resident
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (2011)
- Intern
- Mount Sinai Medical Center (2008)
- MD
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2007)
- MPH
- Columbia University, Public Health (2002)
- BAS
- University of Pennsylvania, Bioengineering / Biomedical Sciences (2001)
Research
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Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
Publications
2011
Symmetric Aplasia Cutis Congenita Associated with Fetus Papyraceus: Report of Two Cases
KLEIN RQ, ROBINSON DM, LIEBER CD, ANTAYA RJ. Symmetric Aplasia Cutis Congenita Associated with Fetus Papyraceus: Report of Two Cases. Pediatric Dermatology 2011, 28: 467-469. PMID: 21438917, DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01314.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and Concepts
2010
Psoriatic Skin Lesions Induced by Certolizumab Pegol
Klein RQ, Spivack J, Choate KA. Psoriatic Skin Lesions Induced by Certolizumab Pegol. JAMA Dermatology 2010, 146: 1055-1056. PMID: 20855720, DOI: 10.1001/archdermatol.2010.225.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAurora kinase inhibitors as anti-cancer therapy
Lok W, Klein RQ, Saif MW. Aurora kinase inhibitors as anti-cancer therapy. Anti-Cancer Drugs 2010, 21: 339-350. PMID: 20016367, DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e3283350dd1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAntineoplastic AgentsAurora Kinase BAurora Kinase CAurora KinasesBenzamidesBenzimidazolesCyclohexanecarboxylic AcidsDrug Screening Assays, AntitumorEnzyme ActivationHumansNeoplasmsOrganophosphatesPhenylurea CompoundsProtein Kinase InhibitorsProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesPyrazolesQuinazolinesThiazolesUreaConceptsNon-small cell lung cancerAurora kinase inhibitorsKinase inhibitorsCell lung cancerUpper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomasCurrent clinical investigationsAnti-cancer therapyAnti-tumor agentsOverview of inhibitorsGastrointestinal adenocarcinomasLung cancerAurora kinasesClinical investigationClinical settingHuman cancersCancer therapyTherapyCancerAurora AInhibitorsKey regulatorHuman aurora kinasesKinaseAurora BAdenocarcinoma
2009
Surgical Monotherapy Versus Surgery Plus Adjuvant Radiotherapy in High‐Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Jambusaria‐PAHLAJANI A, MILLER CJ, QUON H, SMITH N, KLEIN RQ, SCHMULTS CD. Surgical Monotherapy Versus Surgery Plus Adjuvant Radiotherapy in High‐Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Dermatologic Surgery 2009, 35: 574-584. PMID: 19415791, DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01095.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHigh-risk SCCAdjuvant radiotherapyClear surgical marginsDisease-specific deathPerineural invasionLocal recurrenceDistant metastasisSurgical marginsHigh-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomaCases of PNICutaneous squamous cell carcinomaHigh-risk featuresSurgical margin statusHigh cure ratesSquamous cell carcinomaOutcomes of interestNerve involvementMargin statusRegional metastasesCutaneous SCCWorse prognosisSCC casesSquamous cellsCell carcinomaCure rate
2007
Number, characteristics, and classification of patients with dermatomyositis seen by dermatology and rheumatology departments at a large tertiary medical center.
Klein RQ, Teal V, Taylor L, Troxel AB, Werth VP. Number, characteristics, and classification of patients with dermatomyositis seen by dermatology and rheumatology departments at a large tertiary medical center. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology 2007, 57: 937-43. PMID: 17923170, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.08.024.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Others
- Klein RQ, Bangert CC, Costner M, Connolly MK, Dugan E, Tanikawa A, Okawa J, Rose M, Fakharzadeh SS, Fiorentino D, Lee LA, Sontheimer RD, Taylor L, Troxel AB, Werth VP. Comparison of reliability and validity in the development of an outcome instrument forPeer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Honors
honor Mentorship Program Winner
National AwardMedical Dermatology SocietyDetailsUnited Stateshonor Advanced Resident Training & Education Award Recipient
National AwardOrlando Dermatology and Aesthetic & Clinical ConferenceDetailsUnited Stateshonor Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society, Beta Chapter
National AwardDetailsUnited Stateshonor Dean’s List
Regional AwardUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering & Applied ScienceDetailsUnited Stateshonor Hexagon, Penn Engineering Senior Honor Society
Regional AwardDetailsUnited States
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