Second Austin Dermatology Resident Selected

Jennifer Lee, MD (University of Oregon School of Medicine) has accepted the PGY-2 Austin Dermatology Residency Position to begin in July 2009. Congratulations to Dr. Lee!

The Austin Dermatology Residency Program is now participating in ERAS and the NRMP for their July 2010 PGY-2 position. Austin is approved to accept one dermatology resident for each year for their 3 year program.

Dermatologic Surgery Elective (DERU-4003) Reopens for Period 13

The Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology clinical service reopened this week and Dr. Wagner has resumed offering DERU-4003 for Period 13, which starts next Monday (12/15/08). The elective is limited to one medical student each Period, and is open to 3rd and 4th year medical students. If you are interested in taking this elective over the upcoming holiday break, please contact Anita Hendrix (ahendrix@utmb.edu) to enroll

UHC Dermatology Clinic Reopens on Campus

Yesterday the dermatology clinic in the University Hospital Clinics (UHC) reopened following damage caused by Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008. Although the available clinic space is currently smaller than pre-Hurricane Ike (the previous dermatology clinic space is now shared with two other specialty services), all dermatology services/procedures will be again offered M-F on campus. Mohs micrographic surgery will resume in the UHC next week as well. The Dermatologic Surgery clinical rotation (DERU-4003) is once again open to students starting Period 13 and begins Monday, December 15. All of the 9 dermatology residents have returned to campus. Post-Ike 
off-campus clinical dermatology rotations for dermatology faculty and residents will continue at Stewart Road (Galveston) and South Shore (League City). A new rotation in geriatric dermatology has been added in Texas City. In January, two additional dermatology clinic locations will open in Dickinson and Angleton. The restructured "academic dermatology morning" will change from Tuesday to Friday starting next Friday, 12/12 and will include grand rounds, dermatopathology, textbook review, guest faculty lectures/clinical unknown conference and journal club.

Combined Pediatrics/Dermatology 5 Year Combined Residency Closes at UTMB After Hurricane Ike

Following Hurricane Ike, the combined UTMB pediatric/dermatology residency training program has closed, and will no longer receive applications for the peds/derm residency. The remaining combined program residents have transferred to the UTMB dermatology department and are now full-time dermatology residents at UTMB.

UTMB's John Sealy Hospital Reopens

John Sealy Hospital, UTMB's main teaching facility, reopened today after being damaged by Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008. For additional information reported by the Galveston County Daily News, please see http://www.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0fc6ba2516824872 The UTMB University Hospital Clinics (UHC) Building, where the main UTMB dermatology clinic is located, is scheduled to re-open for patient care in a few more weeks.

UTMB Hosts 50th NSRF in Galveston

The National Student Research Forum (NSRF) will be held at UTMB From April 22-26, 2009. Abstract deadline is January 23, 2009. The UTMB Department of Dermatology sponsors awards for the best NSRF dermatology poster presentation and for the best dermatology NSRF oral presentation/manuscript. For more information, please visit www.utmb.edu/nsrf

Austin Dermatology Residency Moving Ahead

Clifton Hall, MD, UTMB Austin Program's first dermatology resident, will officially begin training in January 2009. Non-ERAS applications are currently being reviewed for another dermatology residency position, to begin in July 2009, for those who have already completed their required clinical internship or will do so before July 1, 2009. UTMB (Austin) is also currently accepting applications through ERAS (program 804812140) for one dermatology residency position to begin in July 2010 that will be selected through the NRMP.

ERAS Application for UTMB Dermatology Residency Due November 1

The UTMB Department of Dermatology will accept ERAS dermatology applications through its November 1, 2008 deadline. It is hoped that interview offers will be made via email by November 30th for 2009 NRMP applicants who are not UTMB senior medical students. In 2009 UTMB will offer two dates for its one day interview (Thursday, January 22th or Friday the 23rd) at UTMB in Galveston.

Combined UTMB Dermatology/Pediatrics Residency No Longer Accepting Applicants

The combined dermatology/pediatric residency program that was initiated in 2003 is being phased out at UTMB and will not be offering any new first year positions in the upcoming 2009 NRMP. Vicki Carr, MD was the first physician to complete this 5 year long program at UTMB in 2008. The remaining residents in the combined dermatology/pediatrics training program at UTMB are Cameron Coury, MD and John Stephens, MD.

UTMB Austin Names First Dermatology Resident

The new dermatology residency program in Austin has selected Clifton Hall, MD as their first dermatology resident. Dr. Hall is currently the clinical dermatology fellow. He graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine. Plans are in place to facilitate educational interactions with the UTMB Galveston Dermatology Residency Program via joint conferencing. Congratulations to Dr. Hall and the new Austin Dermatology Residency Program!

AAD Diversity Mentorship Program Applications due January 31, 2009

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is sponsoring this well-regarded program for medical students at all levels. Previous UTMB medical students have participated and found it very worthwhile. For more information about this successful program and an application please go to http://www.aad.org/education/students/students.html

UTMB Poster Presentation Awarded Honorable Mention at the 2008 American Society of Dermatopathology Annual Meeting

Congratulations to senior UTMB medical student Leslie Scroggins for receiving Honorable Mention for her original dermatopathology poster, "The role of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in neprhogenic systemic fibrosis" that was presented in San Francisco last week at the 2008 American Society of Dermatopathology Annual Meeting. Ms. Scroggins was on an away dermatology rotation at UCSF during the meeting and was active in the poster presentation. Her co-authors were Dr. Catherine McNeese (former UTMB dermatopathology fellow) and her UTMB faculty mentor, Dr. Brent Kelly.

"Dermatainment" Poster Accepted for 2009 American Academy of Dermatology Meeting (San Francisco)

Congratulations to Conner Chan, MD (former UTMB DIG member) and Richard Wagner, MD, UTMB Professor of Dermatology, for their poster acceptance to the upcoming 2009 meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in San Francisco. The title of their poster is, "'Dermatainment': Teaching Medical Students About Skin Diseases Using Depictions in Modern Films." It will be displayed in the "Education and Community Service" category (P1803)

Dermatology Film Class Featured in UTMB Magazine

The 2008 Summer/Fall issue of UTMB Magazine has published an article by Jim Kelly entitled, "Film school" about UTMB's new Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema course on page 3. The course director, Dr. Richard Wagner, is quoted as saying this course "reaches medical students who have little previous exposure to the wide spectrum of skin diseases and who might otherwise tend to view skin diseases as trivial and unimportant. Through cinema, students vicariously experience the profound impact that different skin diseases have on people and society. Viewing the films and discussing them with classmates and faculty helps them develop deeper knowledge, insight and empathy, all of which enrich their medical education."

After a brief class interruption during Period 4 due to Hurricane Ike, this popular UTMB class will resume again on Monday, October 20th (Period 5).

McCullough Building Reopens Monday, October 13, 2008

The Department of Dermatology has learned that its administrative offices in the McCullough Building will reopen on Monday, 10/13/08. This is great timing for the two "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" courses (BSHS selective DERU-4051 and elective DERU-4007) that will meet in the 4th floor McCullough dermatology conference room for the first class of Period 5 on October 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The UTMB dermatopathology lab located in McCullough could reopen soon. It is possible that the UHC (campus dermatology clinical operations) could reopen in two more weeks, although it is still not known if the elevators will be working by then. This is all great news because the UTMB dermatology residency program could restart using UTMB educational and clinical facilities as soon as November.

100%!

All four former UTMB residents who completed dermatology or dermatology/pediatrics training passed the 2008 American Board of Dermatology Certifying Examination and are now Diplomates of the American Board of Dermatology. In addition, our UTMB dermatopathology fellow, Alma C. Berlingeri-Ramos, MD, who previously completed dermatology training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (San Juan) in 2008 also passed. This is the 8th consecutive year that UTMB Dermatology residency graduates have all passed their boards on their first attempt. Congratulations to everyone for this excellent academic and personal achievement!

Dermatology

Andy Perri, MD (private practice, Conroe, Texas and Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Hair Transplantation Clinic, The University of Texas Medical Branch)

Mark Ramirez, MD (private practice, San Angelo, Texas)

Karan Sra, MD (private practice, Houston, Texas)

Pediatric Dermatology

Vicki Carr, MD (private practice, Tomball, Texas)

Austin Approved for Dermatology Residency

The Dermatology Residency Review Committee has approved a new dermatology residency in Austin, Texas for one position each year. It will probably accept the first PGY-2 dermatology resident for training beginning in
July 2009. Congratulations to Drs. Reichenberg, Diven and Raimer for having the vision that made this possible!

Skin Disease Depicted in Cinema back for Period 5 (Monday, October 20, 2008 through Friday, November 14, 2008).

Third and fourth year UTMB medical students will be able to take either DERU-4007 (elective) or DERU-4051 (senior BSHS selective) following the recent academic schedule disruption at UTMB due to Hurricane Ike. Please schedule either class through Dr. J. Rowen. Students planning on taking either of these courses should also contact Dr. Wagner ( rfwagner@utmb.edu ) directly through email prior to Monday, October 20, 2008, the first day of class to find out the location of the first class meeting .

Hurricane Ike

The UTMB main campus in Galveston has been temporarily closed to UTMB and visiting medical students during cleanup from Hurricane Ike. Any Period 4 dermatology electives/selectives scheduled at UTMB in Galveston should be rescheduled at an off-island location, including Austin. For UTMB 3rd and 4th year students, please contact
Dr. J. Rowen for rescheduling. As soon as more information becomes available about UTMB reopening for medical students at UTMB in Galveston, another announcement will be posted.

UTMB Medical Student, Dermatology Resident and Dermatology Faculty Publish Case Report

Congratulations to first author senior medical student Jennifer Vickers, second year dermatology resident Ryan Matherne, MD and Brent Kelly, MD (UTMB dermatology faculty dermatopathologist) for their extremely interesting case report entitled, "Acute localized exanthematous pustulosis: a cutaneous drug reaction in a dental setting." The article was published in the September 2008 issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA 2008;139(9):1200-1203). Their coauthor was Dr. Elgene Mainous, Professor and Chief of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UTMB.

Senior UTMB Medical Student to Present Research at National Meeting

Mara Dacso's abstract entitled, "Evaluation of Multi-Drug Therapy in the USA Using Daily Rifampin" for Hansen's Disease has been accepted as a poster presentation at the upcoming 2009 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in New Orleans, LA. Her co-authors are Dr. Richard Scollard from the National Hansen's Disease Program (Baton Rouge, LA) and Dr. Erica Kelly (UTMB Department of Dermatology, Galveston, TX). The abstract is based in part on Mara's UTMB Dermatology Honors Research Thesis. The UTMB DIG congratulates Mara for her excellent research in this important cutaneous infectious disease area.

UTMB Presentations at the Upcoming 2008 American Society of Dermatopathology Annual Meeting

From Dr. Wagner:

Second year dermatology resident Ryan Matherne and 4th year medical student Leslie Scroggins have received notification that their abstracts have both been accepted for poster presentation in San Francisco this October. Dr. Matherne will be presenting, "Spindle cells in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis do not differentiate into myofibroblasts," while co-author Dr. Catherine McNeese (former UTMB dermatopathology fellow) will present on findings from Leslie's UTMB Dermatology Research Honors Program thesis entitled, "The role of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis." Dr. Brent Kelly (UTMB Dermatopathology) mentored these two research projects. Congratulations to all of them for their exciting new accomplishments!

DIG Member Has Poster Accepted to 2009 AAD Meeting

Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Vickers, a 4th year medical student at UTMB. Her original research entitled, "Pimple Popper, MD: Why Seinfeld is Consequential to Dermatology" has been accepted as a 2009 poster presentation (P901) at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in San Francisco, California under the category of Art History and Humanities of Dermatology. All abstracts sent for consideration to this meeting are subject to blinded peer-review and must receive a cutoff score for inclusion in the program. It is excellent for a medical student to have a poster accepted to this meeting. Ms. Vickers collaborators on this research were Dr. Richard Wagner (dermatology) and Tatsuo Uchida (biostatistics).

DIG Meeting Recap, 9-2-08

Tonight we had a great showing for our first meeting. Thanks to the dermatology residents for all of the great advice they shared with us. We also summarized the many events that DIG annually participates in and discussed a possibility for dues which would include a DIG t-shirt. More info on this to come.

First DIG Meeting

September 2, 2008
5:00 PM
4.112 McCullough

A panel will be held by UTMB Dermatology residents to answer all your questions about getting involved in dermatology. Everyone is welcome!

"Majoring" in Dermatology at UTMB

Unlike most undergraduate colleges and universities, UTMB really does not have "majors" for medical students. At least not yet! However, UTMB students have ample opportunities to explore dermatology while in medical school, during every year of their medical studies. A compendium of UTMB sponsored activities are as follows:

UTMB Research Honors Program in Dermatology: This is a highly successful program initiated in 2001. Dr. Renee Solis Snyder ( www.snyderma.com ) , now in dermatology practice in Austin, Texas, was the first UTMB medical student to complete this program in the Department of Dermatology. UTMB medical students can initiate a dermatology research project beginning in their first year of medical school. The deadline for submitting the research project for UTMB Committee Approval is December 31 of the 3rd year of medical school, but the deadline has been extended on occasion for projects that still can be completed in the allowed timeframe. Candidates for UTMB’s Honors Program must meet stringent criteria for selection by an institutional committee composed of basic and clinical researchers in multiple disciplines. Our Dermatology Honors Program is designed to engage non-PhD medical students in a formal comprehensive original research experience by encouraging them to become the PI on a research project of their own design. Those successfully completing this rigorous program gain sophistication and important skills in critical literature review, study design, regulatory issues related to research, data analysis, and scientific presentation/writing. It is the only pathway for UTMB medical students to earn an “honors” designation on their diploma for research and is independent of AOA selection. Students are required to write a thesis and defend it to their ad hoc committee members by March of their senior year. As of June 2008, 23 UTMB medical students have completed the Honors Research Program in Dermatology. Student Honors Program research is frequently presented at professional meetings and peer-reviewed publication usually follows. In the past, Drs. Dayna Diven, Erica Kelly, Brent Kelly and Richard Wagner have successfully mentored UTMB medical students on these dermatology projects. More detailed information about this unique program is available at http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/commentary/student/wagner.html

National Student Research Forum: Since 1959, UTMB has sponsored the National Student Research Forum each Spring in Galveston. Students from the US and around the world participate in oral and poster research presentations. Accepted abstracts are published in a program book, there is a keynote speaker and an awards banquet to honor all of the participants. The UTMB Department of Dermatology sponsors awards for the best oral and poster presentations about dermatology. Any UTMB medical student, resident or fellow is eligible to participate. The next abstract deadline is January 23, 2009. Further information is available at http://www.utmb.edu/nsrf/

Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP): During the break between the first and second year of medical school, UTMB sponsors medical students doing research projects in dermatology. Students receive a stipend and academic elective credit. Students are expected to present their research at a poster session that is held on campus. UTMB sponsors awards in several categories to recognize the best student work.

Department of Dermatology Clinical Rotations for 1st Year Medical Students: The UTMB Department of Dermatology offers 4 first year medical students the opportunity to learn about clinical dermatology during 4 week long rotations during the summer break between the first and second year of medical school. There is tremendous demand for this program, and in the past it has been offered on a "first-come, first serve" signup. However, in the future positions may be determined by a lottery.

American Academy of Dermatology Diversity Mentorship Program: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) sponsors this program for ethnically and socio-economically diverse medical students years 1-4. Students can work with sponsoring dermatologists anywhere in the US. There is a $1500 stipend. In the past, UTMB faculty Drs. Sharon Raimer and Richard Wagner have sponsored students wanting to study in Galveston. More information about this program is available at http://www.aad.org/education/students/_doc/DiveristyMentorshipProgApplication11-06.doc

Medical Student Selectives and Electives for 3rd and 4th year Medical Students: UTMB offers medical students a wide variety of electives and selectives. All of the electives but none of the selectives are available to visiting 4th year medical students on a space available basis. UTMB allows its own 3rd year medical students to take electives as space and their schedule allows. Each senior UTMB student must complete two selectives for graduation (BSHS and ACS), and both types are offered through the dermatology department. The BSHS (Basic Science Humanities Selective) writing requirement can be met through DERU-4004 Dermatologic Basic Science Selective. For this selective a study proposal must be presented to a dermatology faculty mentor and approved at least one month prior to the scheduled elective. Often students will write a case report with emphasis on the basic science aspects of skin disease in this course or a literature review article related to the basic science of a selected skin disease. Medical Students participating in the Dermatology Honor Research Program can also receive credit for the BSHS requirement. Another way to meet the UTMB BSHS selective requirement is for students to take DERU-4051 (Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema). The Ambulatory Care Selective (ACS) senior graduation requirement selective can be met through either DERU-4005 or DERU-4049 More information is available at http://ar.utmb.edu/ACSelectives/blist.asp?dc=der

The UTMB Dermatology Department also offers electives in Clinical Dermatology, Dermatopathology, Dermatologic Surgery, Research, History of Dermatology, Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema, and Skin Diseases in Modern World Literature. An Acting Internship in Dermatology is also offered. Some electives are also available in Austin. For additional information, please see http://ar.utmb.edu/04-05review/blist.asp?dc=der

Departmental Dermatology Awards: Currently the UTMB Department of Dermatology sponsors in 4 award programs. The Thomas B. Freese Award for Overall Excellence in Dermatology and the Edgar B. Smith Endowed Scholarship Award for Excellent Dermatology Research by a Medical Student are usually awarded to outstanding senior medical students. Both third and fourth year medical students are eligible for the Best Original Essay for "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" course award (DERU-4007 and DERU-4051) and the Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award (best original research for DERU-4008).

American Academy of Dermatology Publishes Online Medical Student Core Curriculum

The UTMB DIG has learned that the American Academy of Dermatology has published a core curriculum for medical students in both the basic and clinical areas. The UTMB Department of Dermatology is now recommending it as a free resource for all rotating medical students. It is available at http://www.aad.org/education/students/core.html

Volunteers Needed for New Student Organization Fair

DIG will have an information table at the New Student Orientation Organization Fair at the Library Plaza this Wednesday, Aug 20th. If you are able to help with set up from 2:30 to 3:00 (basically set out a table and put up a sign) or if you can give out information from 3:30 to 4:30, please contact Leslie (lkscrogg@utmb.edu). Thanks!

Good luck to Maria I. Colome, MD in her new faculty position at UT-Houston

The DIG has learned that Friday was Dr. Colome's last day at UTMB. Dr. Colome first came to UTMB as a dermatopathology fellow, training under Dr. Ramon Sanchez. Following a dermatopathology position at MD Anderson, Dr. Colome returned to UTMB as the faculty dermatopathologist and concurrently completed an internship in family medicine that was followed by a residency in dermatology. Dr. Colome is highly regarded professionally as an internationally recognized dermatopathologist and dermatologist, and at UTMB she was always an excellent teacher for medical students and dermatology residents. She often served as an extremely valued ad hoc faculty committee member for multiple UTMB Dermatology Honors Research Program Projects by UTMB medical students. We will all miss interacting with her in the clinic and at the microscope in Galveston, and we wish her well at her new position in the Department of Dermatology at the UT-Houston with Dr. Ron Rapini.
Dr. Colome plans to continue the successful annual UTMB Dermatopathology review course at UTMB.

Congratulations Dr. Sharon Raimer

This May, Dr. Sharon Raimer, the UTMB Department of Dermatology Chair, was elected the President of the Texas Dermatological Society (TDS). The immediate past TDS President was Dr. Dan McCoy (a UTMB dermatology residency program graduate).

UTMB Dermatology Resident Recognized at TDS Meeting

Dr. Julie Fridlington was awarded 3rd prize for her recent podium presentation at the 2008 Annual Spring meeting of the Texas Dermatological Society that was held in San Antonio. The title of her presentation was "Bilateral Dermal Melanocytosis." Her UTMB coauthors were senior medical student Leslie Scroggins and Drs. Karan Sra and Bernard Gibson.

Junior UTMB Medical Student Receives Grant

Congratulations to third year medical student, Alison Wiesenthal for receiving an National AOA Medical Student Service Project Award for her proposal, "Stay Shady! Sun Protection Children's Educational Project." Part of this grant will provide kids with new sunglasses and UV bead bracelets.

Seinfeldology

The UTMB Honors Research Program has approved Jennifer Vickers' original dermatology thesis research proposal entitled, "Pimple Popper, MD: Why Seinfeld is Consequential to Dermatology." Ms. Vickers is currently a senior medical student at UTMB. Her faculty advisor for this research is Richard Wagner, MD. Her ad hoc thesis committee is composed of Drs. Simon Lewis, Sharon Raimer and Brent Kelly. Congratulations on the approval of your interesting research topic!

New Dermatology Fellow in Austin

Clifton Hall, MD has been selected for the 2008-2009 UTMB Austin Dermatology Fellowship in Infectious Dermatology and Underserved Populations. Dr. Hall graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah where he also completed his internship. The Fellowship Program Director is Jason Reichenberg, MD. UTMG DIG extends a big Texas welcome our new fellow!

BCM Department of Dermatology Interest Meeting

Dermatology Interest Meeting sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine Dept of Dermatology
Hosted by Drs. John Wolf (program director and chief), Ted Rosen, Ida Orengo, and the Baylor Dermatology staff and residents
Date: August 11, 2008
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Baylor Clinic, 14th floor Dermatology Suite
Address: 6620 Fannin St, Suite 1425, Houston, TX 77030
Purpose: We will be discussing the application process for dermatology, including strategies and academic performance. Students may come with any questions for staff or residents. The discussion generally lasts about 2 hours, with time for one-on-one questions afterwards. Dinner will be served.

Contact Person: Dornechia George--PGY3 resident.
Contact information: email--degeorge@bcm.edu; cell phone--(713) 301-4680.

Welcome New UTMB Dermatology Residents and Dermatopathology Fellows

The UTMB DIG welcomes our new dermatology residents and dermatopathology fellows for the 2008-2009 academic year:

First Year Dermatology Residents (Class of 2011)

Mika Yamazaki , MD
Matt Petitt, DO
David Raimer, MD


Dermatopathology Fellows (Class of 2009)

Alma C. Berlingeri-Ramos, MD
Cecilia M. Rosales, MD

We look forward to working with everyone!

UTMB Dermatology Conference Room Gets New Look

Medical students and other visitors to the UTMB Dermatology Conference Room will notice that all 10 ongoing departmental commemorative award plaques have now been grouped together on one wall. Five of the awards go annually to medical students (usually seniors):

The Awards are listed chronologically:

Thomas W. Freese, MD Memorial Endowment for Excellence in Dermatology (1986-present): Best overall senior UTMB dermatology student

Edgar B. Smith Endowed Scholarship in Dermatology (2001-present): Best dermatology research by a senior UTMB dermatology student

UTMB Honors Program in Dermatology Research (2001-present): Completion of formal dermatology research project at UTMB with graduation honors awarded

Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award (2008-present): Best original essay about dermatology by a student taking DERU-4008 each academic year (History of Dermatology)

Best Original Essay for "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" (2008-present): Best original essay by a student taking DERU-4051 (UTMB senior selective) or
DERU-4007 (elective) each academic year

Sun Safety Tips Article in Galveston County Daily News

Our very own Drs. Erica Kelly and Richard Wagner offer some important sun safety tips in an article from yesterday's Galveston County Daily News - you can check out the article here:

http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=892eb47b0a49a34d

Mark Ramirez, MD Receives Special Honor

Last week Dr. Mark Ramirez, a senior dermatology resident, was recognized by The University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Dermatology for his 8 years of uninterrupted service at the annual UTMB free skin cancer screening clinics in Galveston. Dr. Ramirez attended his first skin cancer screening clinic while he was a first year medical student at UTMB. He participated in the UTMB skin cancer screening effort during all four years of medical school, and also found time to attend it during his busy year of internal medicine internship at UTMB. This year he made a special effort to return to Galveston from San Angelo, Texas, where he will be going into private practice next month. Perfect, Dr. Ramirez!

2008 Annual Dermatology Department Resident and Faculty Awards Announced

The UTMB DIG congratulates the following awardees:

Awards to Senior Dermatology Residents

Medical Student Teaching Award for Excellent Dermatology Teaching by a Senior Resident: Anthony Perri, III, MD

Dermatology Faculty Award for Excellent Dermatology Research by a Senior Dermatology Resident: Mark Ramirez, MD

Awards to Dermatology Faculty

Medical Student Teaching Award for Excellent Dermatology Teaching by Dermatology Faculty: Bernard Gibson, MD

Dermatology Resident Award for Excellent Dermatology Faculty Teaching: Brent Kelly, MD

Dermatology Resident Award for Excellent Dermatology Faculty Teaching by a Community Dermatologist: Maria Colome, MD

2008 UTMB Graduating Dermatology Residents and Dermatopathology Fellows

The UTMB DIG congratulates the following graduates:

Dermatology

Andy Perri, MD (private practice, Conroe, Texas and Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Hair Transplantation Clinic, The University of Texas Medical Branch)

Mark Ramirez, MD (private practice, San Angelo, Texas)

Karan Sra, MD (private practice, Houston, Texas)


Dermatopathology

Ashley Allison, MD (private practice, Birmingham, Alabama)

Catherine McNeese, MD (private practice, Austin, Texas)


Pediatric Dermatology

Vicki Carr, MD (private practice, Tomball, Texas)

UTMB Dermatology Department Webpage has New Look

The UTMB Department of Dermatology has updated their webpage. It still has the same web address as the previous page:

http://www.utmb.edu/dermatology

Although it is currently under construction, it intends to serve medical students, dermatology residency applicants and patients seeking information about the Department. Our UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) has been linked to the new website under the section "Galveston Information."

2008 Annual Dermatology Department Medical Student Awards

The UTMB DIG congratulates the following 2008 awardees:


2008 Awards to Medical Students

Best Original Essay for "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" course: Conner Chan ("Depiction of Skin Diseases in Film Genres")

Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award: Heather Harris ("St. Anthony's Fire: A Historical Focus on Gangrenous Ergotism")

Edgar B. Smith Endowed Scholarship Award for Excellent Dermatology Research by a Medical Student: Julie Cummings

Thomas B. Freese Award for Overall Excellence in Dermatology: Ashley Group


UTMB Honors Research Program in Dermatology:

Julie Cummings: Magna Cum Laude ("The Positive Predictive Value of Biopsy Margins in Non-melanoma Skin Carcinomas")

Conner Chan: Magna Cum Laude ("Positive Margins in Surgical Excision of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers")


Good luck in your careers!

2008 Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award Announced

Heather Harris was named the first recipient of the Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award last week prior to graduation from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) last weekend. Her winning essay was entitled, "St. Anthony's Fire: A Historical Focus on Gangrenous Ergotism." This $500 award and plaque is sponsored by an educational grant from Beiersdorf Inc to the UTMB Department of Dermatology to stimulate medical student interest in the history of dermatology and to recognize excellent original historical research on this topic. To be eligible for this award, UTMB and visiting medical students must enroll in UTMB's 4-week elective DERU-4008 (History of Dermatology) and submit an original historical essay on a topic of their choice. Dr. Harris will take her internship at UT-Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, to be followed by an Emergency Medicine Residency at the same institution. Congratulations Dr. Harris!

First "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" Essay Award Announced

Conner Chan received the first annual "Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema" Essay Award for his original manuscript, "Depiction of Skin Diseases in Film Genres" prior to graduation from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Dr. Chan's essay was selected from 45 essays submitted to
elective DERU-4007 and selective DERU-4051 during the 2007-2008 academic year at UTMB. Following internal medicine internship at UTMB, Dr. Chan will go to Louisiana State University in New Orleans for dermatology residency. He has continued to conduct research in this area of dermatology, and currently has an article in press at Clinics in Dermatology co-authored with Dr. Richard Wagner entitled, "Dermatology at the Movies."

UTMB Dermatology Interest Group Presents Annual Teaching Awards

Each year senior medical students in the UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) honors a senior dermatology resident and faculty member for their excellent medical student teaching. Ashley Group (center), UTMB DIG Co-President for 2007-2008, made the annual DIG dermatology teaching awards for excellent medical student teaching in dermatology to Drs. Andy Perri (left, resident award) and Dr. Bernard Gibson (right, faculty award) today at the weekly dermatology journal club meeting. Ms. Group was the recipient of the UTMB Department of Dermatology Thomas B. Freese Award for Overall Excellence in Dermatology, an annual academic recognition given to the most outstanding senior medical student for achievement in dermatology. Ms. Group will receive her medical degree from UTMB at tomorrow's graduation ceremony, and following internship in internal medicine at UTMB, she will begin dermatology residency at UTMB in 2009.

Successful Sun Safety Activity!!

On Friday, May 16, UTMB DIG members visited the first grade class at Odyssey Academy Charter School. We taught them how to protect themselves from the sun this summer with protective clothes and sunscreen. Each student made a paper plate sun visor which they will wear at their annual Beach Day next week. It was a lot of fun and we plan to go back next year! Thanks to Ashley Group (MSIV), Mara Dacso (MSIII), and Tatiana Sousa (MSIII) for helping me to make the day a success.

Leslie Scroggins, MSIII

Competitive Funding Opportunity for Medical Student Research Proposals about Melanoma and Skin Cancer (Deadline 10/6/08)

The American Skin Association (ASA) has announced a $7000 grant program intended for 5 medical student recipients in 2009, with the possibility of a second year of funding. Additional information about this research opportunity is available on the ASA website, www.americanskin.org.

Miles for Melanoma Recap

The 4th Annual- Schlip Miles for Melanoma Galveston Walk took place last Saturday May 3 rd at the Alumni Field House track. The walk was very successful with over 20 participants. This year we raised $1,761 in the Galveston walk to support melanoma research and awareness. Thank you to all the volunteers and walkers who made this a successful event. Good job to everyone and lets make next years event just as successful.

Volunteers Needed for Sun Safety Presentation

On Friday, May 16, the UTMB DIG will be talking to first graders at Odyssey Academy about sunburns and sun safety from 12:15 - 1:00 pm. Following a short discussion, we are planning on helping the kids make sun visors! The school is located at 13th Street and Broadway. If anyone is interested in participating, please contact Leslie Scroggins (lkscrogg@utmb.edu). Carpooling can also be arranged.

Medical Student Volunteers Needed

UTMB Dermatology will provide free skin cancer screening in Galveston this Saturday (May 10) from 10 am to 1 pm at the Family Healthcare Center, 3828 Avenue N. The UTMB screening is part of a national effort, coordinated by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society, to educate the public about the benefits of early skin cancer detection. UTMB dermatologists will screen for cancerous or precancerous growths. Patients who require further attention will be referred to their own physicians for follow-up care. The clinic will provide sunscreen samples, a list of dermatologists who practice in the Galveston/Houston area and literature on how to spot suspicious skin growths. At last year’s screening in Galveston, 149 people were examined with 41 being referred for follow-up care.

If you are able to help with the screening this year (and won't be traveling home for Mother's Day on Sunday), please email Dr. Sharon S. Raimer (UTMB Dermatology Chair) at sraimer@utmb.edu and let her know. Please also bring your white coat.

Thanks!

2008 National Student Research Forum Dermatology Awardee

The UTMB DIG congratulates the 2008 NSRF dermatology poster award winner, Kristopher Day, from the University of Iowa (Tfap2e Potentiates Tfap2a Activity in Melanophores, Suggests Novel Melanoma Target). Mr. Day also was awarded 3 additional awards at the 49th Annual NSRF for his excellent scientific investigation: the UTMB School of Medicine, Office of Student Affairs Overall Poster Award, the NSRF Overall Poster Award (1st Place), and the AMA Award for Overall Excellence in Research.

Research Dermatology Graduation Honors Awarded

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) is pleased to announce that another one of its members, fourth year medical student Conner Chan, successfully defended his dermatology research honors thesis on Thursday afternoon, and received Magna Cum Laude graduation honors from the UTMB Honors Research Steering Committee. His research topic was entitled, "Positive Margins in Surgical Excision of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers." Dr. Richard Wagner was Mr. Chan's faculty thesis supervisor. Other Ad Hoc thesis committee members were Drs. Simon Lewis, Brent Kelly and Sharon Raimer. Mr. Chan will take his internship at UTMB following graduation later this year and he will begin his dermatology residency at Louisiana State University (New Orleans) in 2009.

2007 UTMB School of Medicine Graduate to begin Dermatology Residency

Congratulations go out to Laura Speck, MD, our 2007 Edgar B. Smith Endowed Scholarship Awardee for Excellent Dermatology Research by a UTMB Medical Student. Dr. Speck is currently completing her internship at Baylor College of Medicine and will soon begin dermatology residency at New York Medical College.

DIG Meeting Recap and Announcements

At the last DIG meeting of the year, first, second, and third year medical students were given insight to the dermatology residency application process. Thank you to our faculty advisior, Dr. Richard Wagner, for providing us with statistics of this year's match and an insider's point of view on what programs are looking for. Also, thank you to senior medical students Conner Chan, Julie Cummings, and Ashley Group for sharing their personal experiences from this years match and the advice they offered.

Congratulations to the new DIG officers for 2008-2009!!

President - Leslie Scroggins, MSIII
Vice President - Mara Dacso, MSIII
Secretary - Meredity McKee, MSII
Miles for Melanoma Co-Chair (Austin) - Alison Wiesenthal, MSII
Miles for Melanoma Co-Chair (Galveston) - Tatiana Sousa, MSIII
Community Outreach Chair - Jennifer Vickers, MSIII
Second Year Medical Student Chair - Auris Huen, MSI

We look forward to your leadership next year!

Finally, the meeting concluded with a discussion of upcoming volunteer events. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Miles for Melanoma walk that will be held at the Fieldhouse Track on Saturday, May 3, 2008. Please contact Julie Cummings at jecummin@utmb.edu for more information. We will also be giving our Sunburn and Skin Cancer Awareness presentation at a local elementary school in May. An announcement will be made once details are finalized. Please contact Leslie Scroggins at lkscrogg@utmb.edu if you have any questions.

Finally, the UTMB, Department of Dermatology, will offer a FREE skin cancer screening on Saturday, May 10 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Family HealthCare Center. The center is located at 3828 Avenue N in Galveston. Volunteers are needed to help this event run smoothly. Please bring your white coats.

UTMB Faculty Named as International Guest Editor for Skin Cancer

Our DIG faculty advisor, Dr. Richard Wagner was the International Guest Editor for the January/March 2008 issue (Volume 23, Number 1) of Skin Cancer (Portugal), a peer-reviewed medical journal. He used his editorship to highlight the many contributions UTMB researchers are making to the field of skin cancer prevention, diagnosis, surgical management, and education. His coauthors on the 8 original articles in the current issue are all current or former medical students, UTMB dermatology residents, UTMB dermatology faculty and other UTMB contributors. Dr. Wagner previously served as as the first American international guest editor for Skin Cancer in 1993.


Prevention of Skin Cancer

1, Wagner RF Jr. Skin Cancer Research at The University of Texas Medical Branch Department of Dermatology, 1988-2008. Skin Cancer 2008: 23(1):7-8.

2. Poonawalla T, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Incorporating Ethnicity into a High School Sunburn Prevention Program. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):9-16.

Dr. Poonawalla is currently a first year dermatology resident at the University of Wisconsin.

3. McClung AA, Uchida T, Wagner RF Wagner, Jr. Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Substance-related Disorder Among Indoor Tanners. Skin Cancer 2008; 23 (1):17-22.

Dr. McClung is currently a second year dermatology resident at Baylor (Houston).

4. Ray JA, Colome MI, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Development of an Experimental Hairless Guinea Pig Model for Testing Ethyl Alcohol Associated Phototoxicity. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):25-37.

Dr. Ray is currently a second year dermatology resident at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN).

5. Witherspoon J, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. SPF Lip Protection Advertising Patterns in Popular U.S. Magazines. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):39-43.

Dr. Witherspoon is currently a dermatology fellow at Northwestern (Chicago).

6. Daigle SS, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Use of Phototoxic Medicines at the Beach. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):45-47.

Dr. Daigle is currently an anesthesiology resident at the University of Pennsylvania.

Teaching Surgical Management for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

7. Kelly B, Colome MI, Wagner RF Jr. Teaching Dermatology Residents Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Management Utilizing Frozen Sections. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):49-52.

Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

8. Crim C, Colome MI, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Interspecialty Differences in the Surgical Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Keratoses. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):55-60.

Dr. Crim is currently a family medicine resident at Waco Family Medicine Residency Program (Waco, Texas).

Surgical Management of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

9. Perri AJ 3rd, Chan C, Uchida T, Wagner RF Jr. Patients’ Recall of Visible Skin Biopsy Sites. Skin Cancer 2008; 23(1):61-67.

Congratulations to Dr. Wagner and all of our UTMB contributors!

Copies of this issue, when available, may be purchased from the publisher (22 euros for USA):

PubliCiencia
Revistas e Congressos
Unipessoal, Lda.
Rua Jose Carlos Barreiros, 18-A
1000-080 Lisbon
Portugal

telephone: (351) 21 844 44 70

Dermatology Research Honors Thesis Presentation

Conner Chan will present his dermatology honors research thesis ("Positive Margins in Surgical Excision of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers") at 3 pm on April 24, 2008 in the Dermatology Conference Room (4.112 McCullough). All DIG members and those interested in this topic are invited to attend. Dr. R. Wagner was Mr. Chan's faculty advisor on this research.

Meeting Reminder, 4-21-08

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to remind you that we will be having our last DIG meeting of the year next Monday, April 21, at 5:00 pm. I hope to see you there!

-Ashley Group

2008 National Student Research Forum Dermatology Posters

The UTMB DIG invites all interested students and faculty to attend the annual NSRF dermatology poster session on Friday morning, April 25th from 10 am until noon in the Levin Hall Foyer. It is a good chance to see nationally recognized student and resident research, not only in dermatology, but in all fields of medicine, and talk with the presenting researchers in an informal atmosphere. The two poster presentations this year are:

Sindhura C. Reddy, Marta J. Vanbeek. Frequency of skin biopsies and the incidence of skin cancer within an academic institution. University of Iowa. Poster 58.

Kristopher Day, Wei Li, Cornell RA. Tfap2e potentiates Tfap2a activity in melanophores, suggests novel melanoma target. University of Iowa. Poster 59.

Research Dermatology Graduation Honors Awarded

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) is pleased to announce that one of its members, fourth year medical student Julie Cummings, successfully defended her dermatology research honors thesis last Friday afternoon, and received Magna Cum Laude graduation honors from the UTMB Honors Research Steering Committee. Her research topic was entitled, "The positive predictive value of biopsy margins in non-melanoma skin carcinomas." Thanks to all who attended this presentation. Dr. Richard Wagner was Ms. Cummings' faculty thesis supervisor. Other Ad Hoc thesis committee members were Drs. Simon Lewis, Brent Kelly and Sharon Raimer. Ms. Cummings will take her internship at UTMB following graduation later this year and she will take her dermatology residency at UCLA in 2009.

Mark Your Calendars! Last DIG Meeting

Hi Everyone,

The last DIG meeting of the year will be held on Monday, April 21 at 5:00 pm in the Dermatology Conference Room (4th floor McCollough Building). Senior medical students who have matched into dermatology will be at the meeting to answer questions and give advice on applying, and Dr. Wagner will be sharing infomation on this year's match. In addition, we will vote on the annual teaching awards and elect next year's officers. So be thinking about what you want to run for! We will also finalize details on our Miles for Melanoma event. Everyone should definately sign up (email Julie Cummings if you have any questions about this event)!! I will send out a reminder closer to the meeting.

Thanks,
Ashley Group

Galveston County Health Fair, 3-8-08

On March 8, DIG members volunteered at the annual Galveston County Health Fair. They provided information on sunburn prevention and skin cancer awareness to the local community. Kids had a great time making sun visors at our booth! A big thank you to Leslie Scroggins, MSIII, for organizing this event, along with everyone who was able to donate their time to volunteer.

Miles for Melanoma Walk

The 4th annual Miles for Melanoma Walk will take place this year on Saturday, May 3rd 2008. It will be held at the Alumni Field House track and will consist of a 2.8 mile walk. This is a great opportunity to get involved and raise money for melanoma research. There is no fee to participate, but you are encouraged to raise $50 in pledges; however, any amount is helpful. If you register by April 4th you will get a free T-shirt and goody bag. There are currently only 3 people signed up so we really need everyone to get involved. It is easy to register because you can do it online:

1. Go to: www.TheSchlip.com
2. Click on: The Schlip Miles for Melanoma Walk logo
3. Click on: Houston/Galveston Walk link

If you would like to volunteer for the event contact Julie Cummings at jecummin@utmb.edu for more information. We really want everyone in the DIG to be involved with this project! Please help promote the walk by telling your friends and classmates and posting fliers.

DIG Meeting Recap, 3-24-08

There was a great student showing at this week's DIG meeting, where Dr. Mel Mancuso gave an informal presentation on the psychological impact of skin disease. Several patient populations were discussed, including burn patients, sexual assault victims, and people with self-mutilating behavior. It was an excellent presentation, and we really enjoyed having Dr. Mancuso as our guest speaker!

Dermatology Honors Research Thesis Presentation

Julie Cummings will present her dermatology honors research topic ("The positive predictive value of biopsy margins in non-melanoma skin carcinomas") on Friday, March 28, 2008 in the UTMB Dermatology Conference Room (4.112 McCullough) at 3 pm. All DIG members and others interested about this topic are invited to attend. Dr. R. Wagner was Ms. Cummings' faculty advisor.

2008 NRMP Dermatology Match Results for UTMB Dermatology

The UTMB DIG congratulates the following 3 senior medical students for your successful dermatology match at UTMB:

Nathan David UT-Houston
Ashley Group UTMB
Neda Nosrati Baylor

We look forward to working with you when you begin dermatology residency at UTMB in 2009. You have matched at an outstanding dermatology residency training program!

4 UTMB Senior Medical Students Match into Dermatology Residency Programs

Congratulations to all of the UTMB senior medical students who matched into dermatology residency programs through the NRMP this year!

Conner Chan LSU

Julie Cummings UCLA

Ashley Group UTMB

Wen Zhou UT-San Antonio

The UTMB DIG wishes you great success in your careers as dermatologists!

2009-2010 UTMB Dermatopathology Fellows Announced

Congratulations to the two dermatopathology fellows who have accepted positions at UTMB for the 2009-2010 academic year. Palak Parekh, MD is currently completing her dermatology residency at Texas A&M Medical Center/Scott & White Clinic in Temple, Texas. Colette Terry, MD is currently completing her anatomic and clinical pathology residency at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We look forward to working with you both in 2009!

DIG Meeting Reminder, 3-24-08

Hi Everyone,

I want to remind you all of our meeting next Monday, March 24 at 5:00 pm in the Derm Conference Room (4th floor McCollough Building). Dr. Mel Mancuso will be there to speak with us about the psychological impact of skin disease. I hope to see you all there! Please email me with any questions at argroup@utmb.edu.

Thanks,
Ashley

Looking for Volunteers!!

Next Saturday, March 8, is the Galveston County Health Fair. The DIG will be staffing a booth to provide information on sunburn prevention and skin cancer awareness. We are looking for volunteers to help! We will be setting up from 8:30-9:00 am, and the fair lasts from 9:00 - 1:00 pm. If you are able to volunteer some of your time, please email Leslie Scroggins (lkscrogg@utmb.edu) to let her know what time you will be available to help.

Meeting Date Change

The upcoming DIG meeting on March 3 is rescheduled for Monday, March 24 at 5:00 pm. Dr. Mancuso had a last minute scheduling conflict and asked to come on March 24 instead. I apologize if this is an inconvenience for anyone! I hope to see you all there.

Ashley Group

Upcoming DIG Meeting

Hello Everyone!

Our next DIG meeting will be held next Monday, March 3 at 5:00 pm in the Dermatology Conference Room (4th floor McCollough Building). Dr. Mel Mancuso will be our guest speaker to talk with us about the psychological impact of skin disease on patients. We will also be discussing upcoming volunteer events, such as the Galveston County Health Fair on March 8. I look forward to seeing all of you there!

Ashley Group

Date Change - Next Meeting

On the previous post, please note that the next meeting will be held Monday, March 3, not May 3. Details to follow closer to that time.

Monday, February 11, 2008 UTMB DIG Meeting Summary

There was a good student showing at last night's UTMB DIG meeting, where Dr. Brent Kelly presented an interactive introduction to dermatopathology and inflammatory reaction patterns. After the presentation, members discussed the following upcoming service projects:

Miles for Melanoma Walk: Julie Cummings, MSIV, who is our Miles for Melanoma Service Chair, has been working on organizing this event. It is still in the planning stages, but it will most likely be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Fieldhouse track. We will announce when sign up sheets are available. We will be looking for volunteers to help advertise prior to the walk, and we encourage everyone to participate!

Sunburn and Skin Cancer Awareness Program/Sun Smart: In the past, the UTMB DIG has talked to area high schools, elementary schools, and Galveston County Beach Patrol about the risks of sun exposure and skin cancer. We plan to continue with these outreach efforts this spring. Alison Wiesenthal, MSII, was recently named the DIGA's National Community Service Director. She will be working with medical schools throughout the country to direct a project called Sun Smart. At our meeting last night, we discussed the idea of Alison working with our current Community Service Outreach Chair, Leslie Scroggins, MSIII, about combining/updating last year's Sunburn and Skin Cancer Awareness presentation to combine some of the ideas of Sun Smart.

Thank you to Dr. Kelly and all of the students who participated in last night's meeting.

Our next meeting will be held Monday, March 3. Please mark this off on your calendars! A formal announcement will be made closer to that time.

Newly Approved Dermatology Honors Research Program Projects

Two 3rd year UTMB medical students have had their Dermatology Honors Program Research Proposals approved by Dr. Simon Lewis and the UTMB Honors Program Committee.

Mara Dasco: "Evaluation of multi-drug therapy for leprosy using daily rifampin," (Erica Kelly, MD, faculty advisor)

Leslie Scroggins: "The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases and TIMP-1 in Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis," (Brent Kelly, MD, faculty advisor)

This non-degree research program is available to all UTMB medical students who do not hold a PhD or who are in the joint MD-PhD degree program. The due date for research proposals is December of the 3rd year of medical school, but occasionally the University Honors Program Committee will approve research plans made past that deadline if there is enough time to complete the research. A written thesis is required and an oral defense must be made to Dr. Lewis and the ad hoc thesis committee by April 1 of the 4th year of medical school. Drs. Wagner and Lewis co-authored a summary of the UTMB Dermatology Honors Research Program that is available to medical students who are interested in this innovative educational program at Dermatology Online Journal: http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/commentary/student/wagner.html

Congratulations to Mara and Leslie!

Upcoming DIG Meeting

The next meeting of the Dermatology Interest Group will be held on Monday, February 11 at 5:00 pm in the Dermatology Conference Room (4th floor McCollough building). Dr. Brent Kelly will be presenting "An Introduction to Dermatopathology." Dr. Kelly is triple boarded in dermatopathology, dermatology, and internal medicine, and is currently the Director of Dermatopathology at UTMB. Please contact Ashley Group or Fadi Constantine if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting!

2008 Annual UTMB Dermatopathology Board Examination Review Course

The 2008 UTMB Dermatopathology Board Examination Review Course is scheduled for the weekend of April 26-27 this year. UTMB medical students are invited to attend and will have course tuition waived. For more information, please contact Kimberly Cooper (409-772-1911) on Monday-Friday during business hours. This course has received very good reviews from past participants and this will be its 9th session.

UTMB Dermatology Summer Preclinical Preceptorship

Our dermatology department continues to offer its annual summer preclinical preceptorship elective in dermatology for interested first and second year medical students during the months of May and June, 2008. There is a maximum of 2 medical students allowed on this elective during each period. All 4 spots were taken at the January 16, 2008 official sign up meeting, and there is a waiting list for students who are still interested in participating should the opportunity arise. Although elective academic credit is given for this preceptorship at UTMB, no stipend is available.

UTMB Dermatology Department Increases Dermatology Residency Quota for Upcoming Match

The UTMB Department of Dermatology has increased its quota from 2 to 3 positions for the current National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

History of Dermatology (DERU-4008) Course Awarded Educational Grant

Beiersdorf Inc., an international dermatologic pharmaceutical company with a longstanding interest in the history of dermatology, has awarded an educational grant of $5000 to the Department of Dermatology at UTMB to establish an annual graduation award for the medical student taking DERU-4008 ("History of Dermatology") who submits the best historical essay about dermatology. This innovative educational grant will enable the UTMB Dermatology Department to award $500 and an award plaque to the recognized student every academic year for 5 years, beginning in 2008. The UTMB Dermatology Department will also maintain an award plaque in the departmental conference room commemorating the award winner and the title of the selected manuscript. Thank you, Beiersdorf for supporting medical student dermatologic education at UTMB!