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