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!