School of Medicine Dean Named at UTMB

Dr. David Callender, UTMB President, announced that Dr. Danny O. Jacobs will be UTMB’s next Executive Vice President and Provost and School of Medicine Dean beginning October 1^st. Dr. Jacobs is currently the Chair of Surgery at Duke.

New Lay Offs at UTMB

The Friday, July 27, 2012 issue of The Galveston Daily News is reporting a new round of lay offs at UTMB. To read the article, go to: http://galvestondailynews.com/story/330398

Calling All Students

DIG is starting off the new school year with six Stay Shady presentation this Thursday, July 26th, from 11am to 3pm for the KIPP 21st Century Program at San Jacinto School. Please email Alex Acosta at kaacosta@utmb.edu to sign up for one or more presentations (each lasting 30 minutes) or get more information! 

It's a fun teaching experience and a great way to get involved with DIG! 

Laws Prohibiting Indoor Tanning for Minors

New York is the latest state to pass legislation prohibiting the use of indoor tanning beds by those 16 and younger, and requiring 17-year-olds to obtain parental consent. California and Vermont have already passed laws prohibiting use by minors.   

The United States Department of Health and Human Services proclaimed in 2002 that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds and sun lamps, is a known carcinogen. Yet, nearly 30 million people tan indoors in the United States annually. Of these, 2.3 million are teens.

Currently, Texas law requires a parent or legal guardian to sign consent form, in person, for children under 18. Prohibits the use of tanning facilities by anyone under the age of 16.5.  Minors are allowed to use the facilities if authorized by a physician.  Physician must specify the number of tanning session allowed; if they do not, minors will be allowed to use facilities for a 12-month period.  Parents/legal guardians must provide written consent (in presence of tanning device operator) and remain at the facility while the minor uses the tanning device.  The tanning facility is responsible for keeping all records pertaining to a minor's use of the facility.

For more information of the Texas law regarding tanning visit:

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.145.htm

Source: American Academy of Dermatology

UTMB DIG Blog Recognized as Top Dermatology Site

http://www.onlinenursingprograms.com/features/dermatologist/

 

Congratulations past and present UTMB DIG members!

Derm Boards

Newly graduated UTMB dermatology residents took their certification examination (“The Boards”) yesterday. We wish them the best of luck on this difficult exam as they await their test results.

Dermatologists Most Satisfied of Physician Specialists

The July 2012 issue of Dermatology Times  (pages 1 and 22) reviewed the 2012 Physician Compensation Report by Medscape. Dermatologists reported 64% overall satisfaction. The next most satisfied group were psychiatrists (56%). The least satisfied specialists were plastic surgeons (41%). However, only 52% of the dermatologists would choose medicine as  a career again.

Changes in Electives and Selectives at UTMB for 2012-2013 Academic Year

Recent changes in administrative policy for electives and Selectives offered by departments at UTMB’s new policy may make it more difficult for MS3s and MS4s to take the courses they desire. UTMB currently credits departments for elective and selective teaching effort based on the number of Periods that have at least one student enrolled in each Selective and elective. Under these new guidelines, departments do not receive more teaching credit for more than one student in each Selective and elective. For example, under these new guidelines, a course with 20 students that is only offered during Period 13 (a  popular time for student’s to take courses over the Winter Break) would result in less departmental teaching credit than a course that taught 1 student every Period of the academic year (13 students taught over 13 Periods.)

DIG is Growing in Austin!

With more students interested in dermatology, we have created a "satellite" Dermatology Interest Group giving UTMB students with clinical rotations in Austin a chance to be more involved in our DIG events. 

DIG at UTMB is a very active organization with events such as fundraisers, walks, and educational presentations almost every month. We are super excited to have UTMB students in Austin help contribute and educate the community about melanoma, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and more! 

Austin students: please feel free to contact current Austin President Jasmeet Kaur, MSIII, and Vice President/Community Outreach Co-chair Sarah Pritchard, MSIV, if you would like join or learn more about DIG! 

Foreign Film Selected for Inclusion in UTMB Dermatology Film Class

The 2011 Spanish film, The Skin I Live In, is the newest required film to be added to UTMB’s popular dermatology film class during the 2012-2013 academic year (selective DERU-4051 and elective DERU-4007). It is the first film with subtitles to be included.