"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).