#InternAppreciationMonth: Spotlight on David Shon
This #InternAppreciationMonth, we are proud to spotlight David Shon, an outstanding intern who has brought passion, insight, and dedication to debra of America’s mission.
Living with EB Simplex, David has made a lasting impact through projects such as expanding our physician database and developing new resources for healthcare providers. We are so grateful to have David as part of our team and are excited to share more about his journey, experiences, and the contributions he has made during his time with us!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your journey living with EB, and what inspired you to pursue an internship with debra?
Hi! My name is David, and I’m a junior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. I was diagnosed with EB Simplex when I was young. Growing up, school felt pretty tough—I couldn’t play contact sports, and I used to feel self-conscious about my fingernails, which were deformed. Thankfully, my symptoms have improved a lot over the years.
My sister also had EB Simplex, and her symptoms were more severe. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of not just as a patient, but as a caregiver too. I’ve always wanted to give back to the EB community and better understand the landscape of care. When I found out debra was looking for interns, I reached out and was so grateful to be given the opportunity. I'm excited to learn more about EB care logistics, connect with other patients, and work toward making this world a better place for EB patients and providers.
What have you enjoyed most about your internship so far? Any specific projects that felt especially meaningful?
Interning at debra has been great. One of my first projects involved helping to develop the upcoming “For Providers” section of debra’s website, making EB care more accessible and clearer for physicians, especially since EB is such a rare disease and many providers aren’t familiar with proper treatment. It was fascinating to explore how other rare disease organizations educate and motivate physicians to learn about rare conditions. I also had the chance to help brainstorm ways debra could implement similar strategies.
Right now, I’m working on expanding and verifying the national database of EB-treating physicians. I use a mix of internet research and direct calls to update each entry, which has helped me better understand how EB care is structured and accessed across the country. On the side, I’ve also enjoyed being a mentor for younger EB patients through the debra’s EB Youth Mentorship Program, and it is incredibly meaningful to guide others through what I’ve already experienced.
How has your internship shaped your perspective on EB care and advocacy?
This is the first time I’ve been surrounded by so many people who truly understand what living with EB is like. During planning committee meetings, hearing about the everyday challenges—especially care deserts and access issues—has made me see how essential it is to advocate for systemic and political change. At the same time, learning about clinical trials and the broader scope of drug development has given me a new appreciation for the scale of scientific progress. I now see both the intimate, day-to-day struggles patients face and the larger infrastructure we need to build for real change.
How has this internship contributed to your personal and professional growth?
It’s helped me grow in so many ways. I’ve become more confident reaching out to physicians, navigating professional communication, and thinking about patient needs from both clinical and logistical angles. It’s also deepened my empathy and commitment to medicine, and I’ve never felt more sure that this is the kind of work I want to dedicate myself to.
Any advice for others thinking about interning with debra or entering the nonprofit world?
Absolutely go for it. Interning with debra feels like being at the front lines where real change happens. The fact that you can make a real difference with your work feels very rewarding, and it truly is a worthy experience.
