12th Annual AIM Melanoma Walk

Hey everyone! Mark your calendars for March 11, 2017. DIG will be hosting the 12th annual AIM Melanoma Walk. Funds raised from this event are donated to support Melanoma research, legislative reform, education, and patient and caregiver support. Everyone is welcome to participate, so please invite your family and friends. Location (in Galveston), time (AM), and sign up link will be sent out soon!

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to be involved with this event. Hope to see y'all there!

Paige Hoyer
UTMB MSIII
DIG Melanoma Chair
(512)968-5742
pehoyer@utmb.edu

Dr. Goodwin Continues New UTMB Tradition for Innovative Dermatology Resident Education

Thank you Dr. Brandon Goodwin for continuing giving the UTMB dermatology residents a “mock mock” board exam this December in preparation for the 2017 ITE exam on February 16 and the July ABD certification exam for our 4 PGY4 residents. Dr. Cris Berlingeri first introduced the “mock mock” practice exam to our residents, and it was received very positively. She was familiar with this educational concept because was used in her dermatology residency program in Puerto Rico. Last year she expanded it from a purely dermatopathology focus to include other areas of dermatology. Following her departure for private practice in Tyler, Texas earlier this year, Dr. Goodwin, UTMB’s newest dermatology and dermatopathology faculty member, volunteered to continue giving the exam. Because of the increasing number of questions (some contributed by other UTMB dermatology faculty),  he broke the exam into two parts that are given on two consecutive Fridays in December. Examination questions are reviewed by Dr. Goodwin following the test, which is self-graded by the residents. It is a way for our residents to identify areas of dermatology that they may want to review prior to the ITE and the certification examination.

UTMB Dermatology Initiates New Funding Plan for Supplemental Dermatology Resident Education

The UTMB dermatology faculty have decided to implement a new approach for funding supplemental resident and fellow education regarding the purchase of textbooks, required equipment such as dermatoscopes and iPads, submission fees and related expenses for abstracts/posters for meeting presentation, and the costs of professional meeting attendance (registration, travel, meals, and hotel). Our dermatology department is well known for its generosity that provides for the professional development of its residents. The benefits of this plan are that it permits residents to budget for their purchases and meetings. It is also a very fair way to allocate limited financial resources among our 12 residents and 3 fellows annually. PGY2 residents receive the most funding under this plan because they need to purchase dermatology textbooks and clinical equipment for the clinic. Annual funding depends on the departmental budget. Directed donations from our SOM and graduates of our dermatology residency are often used for this purpose as well.

Dr. Erica Kelly Elected By UTMB Faculty

Congratulations to Dr. Erica Kelly, Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology, for her recent election by UTMB faculty to the Faculty Group Practice Clinical Operations Committee. Dr. Kelly will represent the small departments at UTMB (dermatology, psychiatry and neurology). Her appointment begins in January 2017.

UTMB Dermatology Invites 30 Medical Students to Interview for Residency

All 7 medical students who took 4 week rotations in Galveston during the current academic year were invited to interview on either February 2nd or 3rd, 2017, as were 23 other outside applicants selected from over 400 applications received. Selected applicants were from 6 states and 13 medical schools. 21 of the 23 outside applicants were in AOA at their medical schools. Their average Step 1 score ranged from 237 to 274, with a mean of 254.

Their Step 2 scores ranged from 237 to 276, with a mean of 261.

Dr. Erica Kelly Named Super Doctor by Texas Monthly

Congratulations to Dr. E. Kelly for her recognition in the December 2016 issue of Texas Monthly as a “Super Doctor.” She practices dermatology as a Clinical Associate Professor in the UTMB Department of Dermatology, and she is recognized for her special expertise in cosmetic dermatology. This award was determined by peer-review and a magazine scoring process.

Jason Hirshburg, MD, PhD is the 2017-2018 UTMB Mohs Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Jason Hirshburg, who matched into the UTMB Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship for the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year. Dr. Hirshburg is currently completing this final PGY4 year of dermatology residency in the UT-Austin Dell Medical School Dermatology Residency Program.

Former UTMB Dermatology Resident Featured in Aspire

Dr. John Stephens completed dermatology residency at UTMB in 2011 and returned to his home state (Indiana) for private practice. He was featured in the Winter 2016 American Academy of Dermatology magazine, Aspire: Healthy Skin. Healthy Lives (“Learning, leading, and growing: From residency to practice, dermatologist stays involved,” volume 3, number 4, page 3). In the article, Dr. Stephens wrote, “I am thankful that my residency program at The University of Texas Medical Branch was so supportive of my involvement with the AAD. I was always encouraged to pursue these interests by my program and I will be forever grateful for that support.” While at UTMB, Dr. Stephens was awarded the prestigious “UTMB Outstanding Resident” in 2011, an annual institutional professional recognition from the UTMB Graduate Medical Education Office.

UTMB SOM and Dermatology Residency Alum in Texas Monthly

We were happy to see Dr. Renee Snyder’s professional announcement that was published in the December 2016 issue of Texas Monthly. Dr. Snyder completed dermatology residency in Galveston in 2005. She was the first UTMB medical student to complete the UTMB Dermatology Research Honors Program as a MS4 in 2001 (Magna Cum Laude).

UTMB Mohs Fellow Publishes Article About Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Congratulations to Dr. Helen Malone, the current UTMB Fellow in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. She published a case report, “Nodular Fasciitis Complicating a Staged Surgical Excision of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans” in the peer-reviewed journal, Case Reports in Dermatological Medicine (vol. 2016, Article ID 6074182, 5 pages, 2016. doi:10.1155/2016/6074182). Her article is available online at

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/cridm/2016/6074182/ Her coauthors on this academic paper are UTMB dermatology faculty (Drs. Brandon Goodwin, Richard Wagner, and Brent Kelly) from the Mohs and Dermatopathology Services and from the UTMB Department of Otolaryngology (Dr. Vicente Resto).

100%!

Congratulations to the UTMB Department of Dermatology and Dr. Erica Kelly in particular for achieving 100% participation in the “Together We Care,” the 2016 Annual State Employee Campaign. Dr. Erica Kelly coordinated the department’s effort this year, and did a great job!

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 12/1/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, December 1st, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, December 1st, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)

Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550

Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

Best Practices for Identifying Future Dermatology Academicians

Can future dermatology academicians be accurately identified when they apply for dermatology residency? The University of North Carolina, a storied dermatology department with one of the better records of developing academic dermatologists recently reviewed their institutional experience with completing residents (Morales-Pico BM, Cotton CC, Morrell, DS. Factors correlated with residents’ decisions to enter academic dermatology. Dermatology Online Journal, Volume 22, Number 11, November 2016, http://escholarship.org/uc/item/7295783b#page-1 ). The only variable that predicted a future academic career was a PhD (p=0.05).

Editor of Practical Dermatology Worried About Dermatology Future

Dr. Neal Bhatia, the Chief Medical Editor of Practical Dermatology has written a thought provoking editorial in the October 2016 issue (“Thanks, Doc, but we don’t need you anymore...”, page 7). He is concerned that traditional dermatology care is being challenged by changes in the healthcare marketplace and technologies that promote online and virtual care of skin diseases to patients. Dr. Bhatia is also in private dermatology practice in San Diego, California. His editorial is recommended reading.

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 11/3/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, November 3rd, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, November 3rd, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)
Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550
Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

DIG Booth at St. Vincents Health Fair on Nov 12

Attention DIG members: Volunteers are needed for the DIG booth at the St. Vincent's Health Fair on November 12th 10AM-12PM. Volunteers will talk about the importance of proper sun protection and sunscreen use to visitors at our booth. This is a fun and easy way to earn volunteer hours!

Please sign up using the link below by Friday Nov 4th. (It is divided into two shifts 10-11am & 11-12pm, but you are welcome to stay the time!)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1n-kexYnFnbNHM41avQXDe0VV6xRyw1av_MHjSHOaq1M/edit?usp=sharing

 If you have any questions feel free to contact Paige Hoyer (512)968-5742. Hope to see you there!

UTMB Dermatology Hires Christi Wargo, CPNP

The UTMB DIG welcomes Ms. Christi Wargo, CPNP to the UTMB Department of Dermatology. She has special interest in pediatric dermatology.

Dermatology Clinic Transforms Pumpkin

Penny Pumpkin wants to look her best for the upcoming Halloween Holiday on October 31^st, so she went to the Bay Colony UTMB dermatology clinic in League City to see Dr. Will Tausend (UTMB PGY3 dermatology resident) and NP Stephanie Kemmerling, She was very pleased with the results!

Thursday, July 13, 2017

What do Missouri, New Mexico, and Texas have in common? On Thursday, July 13, 2017 dermatology residents from these three states will be in Tampa, Florida to take the American Board of Dermatology Certification Examination. Good luck on this test!

Congratulations Dr. Brandon Goodwin!

Dr. Brandon Goodwin, the newest UTMB faculty in the Department of Dermatology, passed his Dermatopathology Certification Examination. He completed dermatopathology fellowship at UTMB during the 2015-2016 academic year. Prior to that he completed dermatology residency at UTMB in June 2015. He will practice clinical dermatology at UTMB and also attend on our dermatopathology service.

UTMB Dermatology Residents Score in 96th Percentile on 2016 American Board of Dermatology Certification Exam

Congratulations to UTMB’s most recent 4 dermatology residents who completed training in June 2016. Collectively, they scored in the 96^th percentile on the most recent American Board of Dermatology Certification Examination (“The Boards) out of 120 dermatology residency programs that were ranked. The resident group that graduated last year (June 2015) also performed admirably, with a collective 90^thpercentile score on the test.

Study Supports Standardized Dermatology Letter of Recommendation

The Divisions of Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology at The Ohio State University (Columbus) published a study in the September 2016 issue of The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology about their single institution  retrospective experience that compared the new standardized letter of recommendation with the more traditional letter (Volume 9, Number 9, pp.36-42). The authors concluded that the standardized dermatology letter meets the goals of efficiency, applicant stratification, and validity.

Got 10 Dermatology Interviews?

According to a lecture at the Annual Association of Dermatology Professors Meeting in Chicago last week, dermatology applicants during the 2015-2016 academic year who participated in 10 interviews had a 98% chance of matching! Over half of all dermatology interviews (53%) were offered in January last year, so that is a good time to be on vacation or on a rotation that will permit frequent interviewing.

Walk to Cure Psoriasis a Success!

The UTMB DIG recently participated in the National Psoriasis Foundation's "Walk to Cure Psoriasis" on October 2, 2016. We are excited to announce that we exceeded our goal and raised $222.00 as the UTMB DIG team. A total of $22,346 was raised in support of to efforts to cure psoriatic disease and improve the lives of those affected.  Thank you to everyone who signed up and donated to our team! 

Pictured: Seena Monjazeb, MS4 (left) and Paige Hoyer, MS3 (right)

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 10/6/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, October 6th, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, October 6th, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)
Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550
Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

Dermatology Interest Group Association 2016 Fall Newsletter

National DIGA is a great resouce for dermatology applicants and local DIGs. Their fall newsletter features an interview on the journey to dermatology residency with Dr. Kurt Ashack, a preliminary intern starting dermatology residency at UIC in 2017. The newsletter can be accessed at the following link: http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=87e06011a087bf7c3fc72dfff&id=d340ad7a65&e=bbe4fd1b93

Another helpful tool is the dermatology residency interview calendar on the DIGA website (derminterest.org). This is helpful for current applicants scheduling interviews. UTMB DIG would like to wish current applicants good luck this interview season! 

2017 ITE Exam Announced

The American Board of Dermatology has announced the date of the 2017 In-Training Examination (ITE), also known as the “mock boards.” This 4.5 hour exam will be on Thursday, February 16, 2017. It is typically taken by all of the residents.

Helpful Interview Advice

Interviewing for a dermatology residency interview has much in common with other high stakes competitive interviewing for jobs. A company may interview 10 or more applicants for one highly sought job opening, hoping to find the ideal employee. What are the employer’s goals in conducting these interviews? How does an applicant stand out from the others in a good way? Advice for interviewing is available on the Yale University website (seehttp://funding.yale.edu/planning/interviewing-external-fellowships) in the context of competitive external fellowships. Much of this advice applies to dermatology residency applicants and is worthy of consideration.

Update from Texas Dermatologic Society 2016 Annual Fall Meeting

UTMB dermatology faculty, residents, and medical students attended the TDS meeting in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend. UTMB had an impressive number of posters accepted for presentation at the conference: 

1. Lizy Paniagua, Alison Lowe, Michael Wilkerson. A Unique Presentation of Tinea Corporis in a Renal Transplant Recipient. 
2. Samuel Haslam, Chinelo Ikpeama, Tara Akunna, Michael Wilkerson. Penile Mondor's Disease: Two Rare Cases. 
3. Neil Jackson, Timothy Allen, Richard Wagner. Understanding Ultraviolet Radiation of Dorsal Foot Injury at the Beach. 
4. Adrian Subrt, Lizy Paniagua, Bernard Gibson. Microsporum cutis infection presenting as cutaneous pseudolymphoma.
5. William Tausend, Paige Hoyer, Keith Wagner, Brandon Goodwin. Sorafenib-Induced Perforating Folliculitis. 
6. Kristyna Gleghorn, Vlad Codrea, Kristin Wolf, Adrian Subrt, Ashley Group. Mycobacterium monacense infection presenting as bullous disease. 
7. Samuel Haslem, Katelyn Woolridge, Michael Wilkerson. A Rare Transition from Pemphigus Foliaceus Following Rituximab Therapy Confirmed by Antidesmoglein ELISA. 
8. Paige Hoyer, Lindy Ross, Michael Wilkerson. Topical Timolol as a safe and economical adjunctive treatment of a recurrent pyogenic granuloma. 
9. Andrew Decrescenzo, Gabriel Hundeshagen. A New Synthetic Matrix with Bimodal Pore Structure Provides Favorable Characteristics as a Transfer Vehicle for Adipose Derived Stem Cells and Fibroblasts. 
10. Dung Mac, William Tausend, Brent Kelly. Photo-distributed Rash in a Homeless Man. 
11. Seena Monjazeb, Kristyna Gleghorn, Adrian Subrt, Michael Wilkerson. Neuropathologist Dermatitis: Unilateral Hand Contact Dermatitis Associated with Formaldehyde Exposure. 
12. Anna Buteau, Keith Wagner, Elizabeth Schepp, Brent Kelly. Scalp Spicules After Hair Transplantation: A Case of Demodex Infestation.

 (left to right): Adrian Subrt (PGY-3 Dermatology Resident), Kristyna Gleghorn (MSIV), Seena Monjazeb (MSIV)

Dung Mac (MSIV)

Drew Decrescenzo (MSIV)

Kristyna Gleghorn (MSIV)

Stay Shady Presentation at Satori Elementary School

On Monday, September 19, UTMB DIG members Abby Bobo (MSI) and Caroline Crain (MSI) presented "Stay Shady!" to 3rd and 4th grade students at Satori Elementary School. "Stay Shady!" as an interactive presentation that focuses on educating kids about sun damage and informing them on ways to protect themselves. The students were able to help make UV bracelets out of beads that change colors when exposed to UV light from the sun. This helped the kids visualize and raise awareness of sun damage and remind them to wear sunscreen. A big thank you goes out to Satori Elementary for allowing our DIG members to give this presentation!

Abby (L) and Caroline (R)

Meeting Recap from September 26, 2016: Advice from UTMB Dermatology Residency Program Director, Dr. Richard Wagner

1.   Prepare early: The first year clinical dermatology preceptorship is a great way to get involved early (2 students can rotate during both May and June after MS1 year). Doing two electives between the MS1 and MS2 school year can give you more time to do away rotations and have time off for interviews as a MS4.

2.   Getting involved with research, specifically related to dermatology, is important. The average number of posters/abstracts/publications for matched applicants in 2016 was a total of 9.  The school of medicine Honors Research Program is a great option. There are two Texas Dermatologic Society meetings per year where students often do poster presentations, and the Annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting as well.

3.   Dermatology applicants have a busy fourth year. Most applicants do 2-3 away rotations.  Applications can be submitted September 15^th of each year. It is recommended to have a letter from the dermatology program chair, program director, and someone you have done research with. Scheduling is important since dermatology applicants must apply and interview for preliminary programs, in addition to dermatology programs.  Prelim program interviews are typically Nov-Dec; Dermatology interviews are typically late Dec-Jan.  Since dermatology is becoming increasingly competitive it is important to consider a back up plan when applying to dermatology. Options include: dual applying to another specialty, completing a medicine or surgical preliminary year and reapplying, completing a research fellowship, or SOAPing to another specialty if you do not wish to reapply.

4.   UTMB has the 2^nd most number of dermatology rotations of any medical school in the US.

a.   First year preceptorship offered to 2 students during May and 2 students during June of each year.

b.   Clinical dermatology: students typically take this course during third year or during fourth year as an away rotation.  

c.   Clinical dermatology in Austin: rotation with the Dell Medical School program which is set up by UTMB.

d.   Consult dermatology: inpatient medicine with exposure to clinic as well. A great rotation during third year if you want to save clinical dermatology to get credit for away rotations.

e.   Acting internship: The acting internship in dermatology is unique in that it is designed for students to interact with all faculty and residents in the program; rotators spend a week on Moh’s surgery, dermatopathology, consults, and clinical dermatology.

f.    Dermatopathology

g.   Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

h.   Skin diseases depicted in film

i.    History of dermatology

j.    Narratives in Skin Diseases

k.   Skin diseases in Modern World Literature

l.    Dermatology Research

m.  Skin diseases in Novels and Films

n.   Dermatology Boot Camp

o.   Basic Science and Humanities Selective (BSHS), a MS4 writing course requirement, can be completed in the dermatology department through the Honors Research program, the Skin diseases in Modern World Literature course, or the Skin diseases depicted in novels and films course.

p.   Ambulatory Community Selective (ACS) can be completed with local dermatologists.

EVENT REMINDER: Psoriasis Walk This Sunday!

The UTMB DIG will be participating in the National Psoriasis Foundation’s “Walk to Cure Psoriasis” THIS SUNDAY at Discovery Green. Come join us to raise awareness for Psoriasis and Psoriasis research. If you have yet to sign up or would like to donate, please do so by following these steps:

1. Go to:  http://npf.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=7056
2. Click “Join Our Team” to join the UTMB DIG group and walk with us!
3. Click “Support Us” to donate and select or enter a donation amount to make your donation to the UTMB DIG group.

4. Share on your social media pages


Where: Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016
Check-In: 8:00AM
Walk Begins: 9:00AM

Feel free to contact Seena Monjazeb (semonjaz@utmb.edu) with any questions. 

See you Sunday!

Dermatology Times Advisory Board Leader Calls for Limiting Dermatology Resident Interviews

Readers of this blog are aware that some dermatologists feel that applications to dermatology residency programs have become so overwhelming for training institutions that now is the time to limit the number of applications that applicants may submit, and perhaps limit the number of interviews residency programs conduct. For example, if applicants were limited to 10 dermatology applications, applicants might be more selective about where they apply. The same selectivity may also hold true if programs were only allowed to interview 5 applicants for each of their available positions. In the September 2016 issue of Dermatology Times (page 70), a columnist wrote about a former student who received 40 interviews and borrowed $40,000 to visit all of these programs. She is now a successful dermatologist, but was spending $40,000 necessary? Matching applicants may wonder if it was necessary to spend so much money interviewing at dermatology programs. However, we are skeptical that placing an arbitrary cap on number of applications that a prospective applicant may submit is fair. Are there other situations where the opportunity to compete for a job is restricted by limiting the number of job applications? Limiting the number of applications that an applicant may make to dermatology residency programs does not seem to be the best solution to increasing interest and competition for dermatology residencies.

DIG Meeting with Dermatology Program Director, Dr. Wagner

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group will be holding our first meeting on 09/26 (Mon) from 5-6PM. Our guest speaker for this meeting is Dr. Richard Wagner, the UTMB Dermatology Residency Program Director. It is an informal Q and A session; where you can ask the director any questions you have regarding how to be competitive for a dermatology residency. Other topics for discussion include how to get involved in dermatology and how to get involved with research. Don’t miss out this highly informative session!

When: Monday, September 26th 2016 5-6PM
Where: Dermatology conference room, 4.112 McCullough Building 

Stay Shady Presentation at Holy Family Catholic School

On Friday, September 2nd UTMB DIG member Keith Wagner (MSII), presented "Stay Shady!" to 100 elementary and intermediate students at Holy Family Catholic School. "Stay Shady!" is a fun and interactive presentation aimed at increasing sun protection awareness in children! The students had many great questions about skin protection, and were excited to participate in the discussion!  The students received bracelets with UV beads that change color in the sun to demonstrate how sunlight can damage unprotected skin. A great amount of appreciation goes to Holy Family Catholic School’s faculty and students, for accommodating DIG into their busy schedules, and allowing us to pass skin protection knowledge onto the next generation of Galvestonians and beyond! 

100%

Congratulations to our 4 UTMB PGY4 dermatology residents who completed training in June 2016. They all passed the 2016  American Board of Dermatology Certification Examination. What a great way to kick of the Labor Day Holiday weekend (UTMB Clinics are closed on Monday, September 5, 2016).

UTMB House Staff Orientation Dates for 2017 Announced

In 2017, UTMB will hold its orientation for incoming house staff on June 26-29^th. UTMB begins paying salary and benefits starting on the first day of orientation! Incoming house staff from outside institutions should plan on being at UTMB on these dates by planning vacation or terminal leave from their previous institutions.

"Stay Shady" is Looking for Volunteers for September 2nd

The UTMB DIG is looking for volunteers to present our sun protection presentation, "Stay Shady!," to the students at Holy Family Catholic School in Galveston, TX. “Stay Shady!” is an interactive presentation aimed to teach elementary and middle school children about sun safety.

When: Friday, September 2nd, at 10:00 A.M.

Where: 2601 Ursuline Avenue, Galveston, TX 77550

 

This is fun teaching experience and a great way to get involved with DIG! Interested in participating? Please email Tara Akunna (taakunna@utmb.edu), Barrett Riddle (bcriddle@UTMB.EDU), or Keith Wagner (kedwagne@UTMB.EDU) if you would like to volunteer! 

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 9/1/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, September 1st, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, September 1st, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)
Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550
Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

"Stay Shady" is Looking for Volunteers for September 19th

The UTMB DIG is looking for volunteers to present our sun protection presentation, "Stay Shady!," to the students at Satori Elementary School in Galveston, TX. “Stay Shady!” is an interactive presentation aimed to teach elementary and middle school children about sun safety.

When: Monday, September 19, at 2:30 P.M.

Where: Satori Elementary School, 2503 Sealy St, Galveston, TX 77550

 

This is fun teaching experience and a great way to get involved with DIG! Interested in participating? Please email Tara Akunna (taakunna@utmb.edu), Barrett Riddle (bcriddle@UTMB.EDU), or Keith Wagner (kedwagne@UTMB.EDU) if you would like to volunteer! 

Join UTMB DIG in a "Walk to Cure Psoriasis" Sunday, October 2nd

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group is participating in the annual National Psoriasis Foundation’s “Walk to Cure Psoriasis” on to take place on Sunday October 2 at Discovery Green in Houston. 

If you are interested in participating in the walk or donating to our goal:

1. Go to:  http://npf.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=7056
2. Click “Join Our Team” to join the UTMB DIG group and walk with us!
3. Click “Support Us” to donate and select or enter a donation amount to make your donation to the UTMB DIG group.

Here are the details of the walk:

Where: Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016
Check-In: 8:00AM
Walk Begins: 9:00AM

If you have any additional questions, contact Seena Monjazeb (semonjaz@utmb.edu) with any questions. 

2016 Welcome Weekend and Plazapalooza Information and Sign-up

Hey everyone,

We have some new information for y'all for Welcome Weekend and Plazapalooza! We are asking for 2 members to volunteer each shift at both events please! (2 volunteer shifts for Welcome Weekend and 3 shifts for Plazapalooza).Free food will be provided for those at Welcome weekend and free shirts for those at Plazapalooza!

Sign Up is listed here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PIG8p_j60p-TYqAXvHkh8kL4jDNR-o2FvO3upRZMfss/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions about either events, please contact Tim Allen (tirallen2@utmb.edu) or Paige Hoyer (pehoyer@utmb.edu)

1. Welcome Weekend

- Date: Saturday, 8/20 from 10am to 1230pm

- Location: Moody Gardens Convention Center

- Set up begins at 9am

- We will be getting a half table (3'x3') for free. Tim will be getting candy to give out to the new students who are interested

- The first session will be 10-11:15 and the second will be from 11:15-12:30

- There will be free breakfast and lunch for those who volunteer

2. Plazapalooza

- Date is 8/23 (Tuesday) from 5-8pm

- Location will be Old Red Plaza

- Set up begins at 3:30pm

- Our game will be Duck Pond (http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server4100/sjl48p9/product_images/uploaded_images/duck-pond-traditional-carnival-booth3.jpg?t=1465063670). If a student guesses the correct number on the bottom, they will win a ticket. More information will be provided by SGA as well.

- We will also be getting a table for the event to have the game and 2 T-shirts for volunteers (1M and 1L)

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 8/4/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, August 4th, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, August 4th, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)
Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550
Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

New Dermatology Clinic Director Initiates Quarterly Employee Recognition Plan

The UTMB Dermatology Clinic has been recognized in the past as one of the best outpatient clinics at UTMB. Dr. Ashley Group, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and the new Dermatology Clinic Director, has created a quarterly employee recognition plan for dermatology nurses, medical assistants, and front desk employees at our Galveston and Bay Colony League City locations for their wonderful work. Anyone working in the dermatology clinics is able to make nominations to Dr. Group. The first two dermatology clinic employees selected for recognition will be named in October 2016.

UTMB Micrographic Surgery Fellow Conducts Suture Workshop

Dr. Helen Malone, the current Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellow held a suturing workshop for our four new PGY2 dermatology residents this week. Participating residents were Drs. Vlad Codrea, Kyle Kaltwasser, Kristin Wolf and Katelyn Woolridge.

Another First for UTMB Dermatology

A new bimonthly academic conference for surgical dermatology textbook and journal review has been established on alternate Thursdays for the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellow, dermatology residents, students, and faculty. At the first meeting, chapters from two textbooks were reviewed by the current fellow, Dr. Helen Malone. Dr. Richard Wagner, the Fellowship Director, provided supervision.

Photo Caption (left to right): UTMB MS3 Seena Mojazeb, Dr. Helen Malone, MS4 Lizzy Paniagua, PGY3 dermatology resident Dr. Adrian Subrt, and UTMB MS4 Drew Decrescenzo

2016 Medscape Residents Salary & Debt Report

According to this study, residents suffer a higher risk of depression than the general population (10% vs 6.7%) and are much more likely to consider suicide (9% vs 3.9%).

 

In addition, residents are less satisfied with their salaries than last year. They are aware that they are being paid less than non-physician midlevel hospital employees and nonmedical employees who have comparable education and experience

Skin Cancer Screenings Not Recommended!

Yes, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent group of primary care physicians and epidemiologists with federal funding, once again determined that there is currently not enough evidence to recommend skin cancer screenings. This is similar to their previous findings in 2009. This important article was published in the July 26, 2016 issue of JAMA (JAMA. 2016;316(4):429-435. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8465. ) and is available here:http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2536643

DIG Meeting Recap from July 19th

Important Topics Covered (Q&A with DIG President & MS4, Kristyna Gleghorn)

1. The DIG blog (http://digutmb.blogspot.com/) is a great resource for medical students interested in Dermatology.

2. Overview of dermatology rotations offered at UTMB. UTMB offers the 2nd most dermatology courses/electives of any school of medicine in the US. (Clinical Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, Dermatopathology, Acting Internship (AI) in dermatology, Dermatology Consults, Skin Diseases Depicted in Film, History of Dermatology, Skin Diseases in Modern World Literature, Dermatology Research, Skin diseases in Novels and Films, Dermatology Boot Camp, Narratives of Skin Disease) 

3. Planning for away rotations (Tip: Many away rotations only offer clinical dermatology so consider taking a different elective, such as consults/Mohs surgery/Dermatopathology, as a MS3 at UTMB to receive credit for your aways)

4. Research is highly encouraged for dermatology applicants and there are many opportunities to become involved at UTMB. The earlier you start, the better. Research opportunities: 

- Texas Dermatologic Society Fall and Spring meetings: poster presentation

- American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting: poster presentation or Gross and Microscopic Symposium (powerpoint presentation)

- American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting: poster presentation

- Honors Research Program (proposals due by December of third year)

- Case reports and review articles for journals (JAAD, JAMA Dermatology, JAAD Case Reports, Cutis, etc...)

5. Step-by-step process for writing a case report, review article, and getting Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for projects. 

6. The National Dermatology Interest Group Association has a number of resources for medical students who hope to pursue a career in Dermatology. Visit their website (http://www.derminterest.org/) and join their Facebook Group “Dermatology Interest Group Association” for more information.

Follow our blog to learn about upcoming events that you can participate in. Important upcoming UTMB student life, dermatology-related, and community service projects:

1. Welcome Weekend for MS1s: Information session and sign up for DIG (Saturday, August 20th). 

2. Plazapalooza: DIG will have a booth & fun game for MS1s to get to know current officers and learn how to join DIG. (Tuesday, August 23rd)

3. Stay Shady Presentations at local schools, dates TBA for this semester

4. DIG Bake Sale, date TBA

5. Texas Dermatologic Society Fall Meeting Sep 30th-Oct 1st

Our next meeting (date TBA) will feature a talk with Dr. Wagner, Dermatology Program Director and DIG's faculty advisor, about getting into Dermatology residency. Please contact Kristyna Gleghorn or Tim Allen with further questions about becoming an active member of UTMB DIG!

Kristyna Gleghorn (klglegho@utmb.edu) 

 UTMB DIG President 2016-2017

Tim Allen (tirallen2@utmb.edu)

 UTMB DIG Vice President 2016-2017

Did You Know?

A recent column in the Galveston Daily News (“Patients sometime just have to have patience,” July 19, 2016, page B4) made the unfortunate comment, “Some medical problems are more easily diagnosed and treated than others. Skin rashes for example, while annoying, do not require nearly as much of the physician’s time as do gall bladder complications.” A day spent in a typical dermatology practice easily dispels this notion that all skin rashes are always easily diagnosed. Skin rashes, like other medical conditions, can require an extensive history, a skin biopsy, blood tests, and possible imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis and management. Sometimes it takes a great deal of time to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

Help A UTMB Resident with a Poster Presentation for the Fall Texas Dermatological Society Meeting

The fall Texas Dermatological Society Meeting (Hyatt Hill Country Hotel in San Antonio, September 30^th and October 1st) is a great opportunity for UTMB medical students to assist our dermatology residents in poster preparations for the meeting as co-authors. Contact our dermatology residents about their posters for this meeting. Don’t delay because the abstract submission deadline is September 12, 2016.

UTMB Dermatology Interest Group Featured in Commentary

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG), one of the early chapters of the national Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA), was one of eleven DIGs reviewed in the July 2016 issue of Dermatology Online Journal (DOJ) about DIGs around the USA (see http://escholarship.org/uc/item/1zm883qs#page-4 ). UTMB SOM Class of 2016 Katherine Tinkey was a co-author of this commentary. Three published articles from the UTMB Department of Dermatology about our DIG blog were cited in this work.

DIG Meeting Tuesday, July 19th

The UTMB DIG will be holding a meeting this upcoming Tuesday, July 19th at 5:15 PM in the Dermatology Conference Room (4.112 McCullough Building). Important topics for this meeting include Q&A session for dermatology rotations/reserach/etc, community volunteering, and Welcome Weekend planning. 

We hope to see you all there!

UTMB Dermatology Commemorative Plaques Relocated

The UTMB Dermatology Commemorative Plaques, one dating from 1986 (Thomas W. Freese, MD Memorial Endowment for Excellence in Dermatology that is awarded to a UTMB MS4 annually), have been relocated from the McCullough Building Dermatology Conference Room to the administrative reception area. These plaques celebrate the academic success, teaching, and research achievements of past and present UTMB medical students, residents and faculty. Our department currently makes 11 new awards each year in these categories.

UTMB Dermatology Alumni Now President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Congratulations to our UTMB dermatology resident graduate, Dr. Dan McCoy who is now the President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Dr. McCoy is no stranger to readers of the blog. He completed dermatology residency in 1997 at UTMB. He initially went into dermatology practice in Corsicana and later practiced dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas where he was involved with the creation of a new dermatology residency program and a research institute. The July 2016 issue of Texas Medicine has published a profile about his career (Sorrel, AL, Physician at the helm: TMA Board of Trustees’ Dan McCoy, MD, Named President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, pages 39-46) in a not to be missed article.

Dr. Cris Berlingeri Announces Departure from UTMB Dermatology Department

The UTMB DIG was sad to learn the Dr. Cris Berlingeri is leaving UTMB for a dermatology private practice opportunity in Tyler, Texas. Dr. Berlingeri joined the UTMB dermatology faculty as a part-time Assistant Clinical Professor after completing the UTMB dermatopathology fellowship in June 2009.  You will be missed! With Dr. Berlingeri’s announcement, the UTMB Department of Dermatology will have 8 remaining faculty members.

Dr. Erica Kelly Advises About Sunburn Prevention

The Sunday, July 10, 2016 issue of the Galveston Daily News offered worthwhile advice about summer health hazards. Correspondent Marsha Canright  (How to prevent summer miseries, pages C1, C6) interviewed UTMB Clinical Associate Professor, Erica Kelly about preventing sunburn.

Dr. Erica Kelly Recognized for Cosmetic Expertise

Congratulations to Dr. Erica Kelly, a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at UTMB. Dr. Kelly has nationally recognized expertise in cosmetic dermatology, and the Galveston Daily News readers have awarded her the 2016  “Reader’s Choice” award as the top area physician in the category of “Cosmetic Surgery” (page 21, June 2016). Dr. Kelly is actively involved in teaching UTMB dermatology residents and the procedural dermatology fellow about cosmetic dermatology procedures.

Is Grit Required for a Dermatology Career?

The concept of grit has recently been publicized in the news as a key ingredient for achieving career goals. Grit is defined as the personal quality of focused perseverance toward a long term goal. How does this concept relate to a dermatology career? Many dermatology applicants are not successful in their first attempt to match into a dermatology residency, but are ultimately successful in achieving their goal. Most successful re-applicants have grit. They are determined to have a dermatology career no matter how long it takes! How are they able to achieve success?

Long term planning is required. Once a person determines their career choice, they should think of the component steps necessary for success. The sooner the better! The plan may not proceed smoothly. The quest for a dermatology career may start as early as college.  Excellent medical school applicants with multiple admission offers may base their decision on the academic stature of the institution and its dermatology department because of the networking advantages it confers or its historically strong dermatology match statistics. First year medical students should work with faculty dermatologists on research and develop an impressive curriculum vitae for future residency applications. During medical school, if the applicant’s Step 1 score is below average for dermatology, additional gap years may be taken to improve research skills/earn a career relevant Master’s graduate degree or a Ph.D., and demonstrate high quality academic productivity with dermatology research poster presentations and publications. Joining the medical school Dermatology Interest Group and participating in community dermatology volunteer activities increases applicant visibility and opportunities for new professional contacts. Away rotations at dermatology departments that have previously accepted applicants from your school are strongly recommended. This type of action plan may not be possible for a variety of reasons. Completing another residency while doing dermatology related research may also position select applicants for an opportunity for a second residency in dermatology, but outside the military, this strategy is becoming more difficult due to current Medicare funding limits. Applicant self-knowledge is important because it may take multiple application cycles for an applicant to finally match into a dermatology residency program. Depending on applicant specifics, it may take years of work in an unaccredited clinical dermatology fellowship(s) following PGY1 in order to develop a competitive application. The emotional and economic costs can be very high, and unfortunately none of these approaches may result in a dermatology residency.

UTMB Dermatology Already Offering Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (Mohs) Interviews During July and August 2016

Applicant registration with the San Francisco Match for ACGME approved fellowships in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology opened last month, and UTMB is already scheduling interviews for this summer. Fellowship applicants are interviewed on either Tuesdays and Wednesday morning, first meeting with the Fellowship Director, Dr. Richard Wagner and the Fellow, Dr. Helen Malone. The applicant will have an opportunity to see the UTMB Mohs team in action for a few hours, before meeting with other departmental faculty. The interview concludes after lunch with the fellow. Fellowship applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Dr. Bernard Gibson is the UTMB Department of Dermatology Interim Chair

Congratulations to Dr. Gibson, a longtime UTMB dermatology faculty who has agreed to serve as the Chair ad interim. He follows our former Chair, Dr. Sharon Raimer who served from 2001 to 2016. Please welcome Dr. Gibson in his new departmental leadership role.

Dermatology Night At St. Vincent's on 7/7/16

Join UTMB Dermatology residents and faculty for the upcoming dermatology night (Thursday, July 7th, 2016) at St. Vincent’s Clinic. Please see the calendar link below to reserve your volunteering spot:

When: Thursday, July 7th, 5:30-8:30PM (volunteers should arrive at 5:15)
Where: St. Vincent's House, 2817 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas 77550
Volunteer link: http://www.stvsc.org/index.php/students/

2016 UTMB Dermatology Residency Graduates

Congratulations to UTMB’s 2016 dermatology residency graduates, who complete three years of dermatology training on June 30, 2016 (left to right, Drs. Amber Gill, Rebecca Philips, Janice Wilson, and Helen Malone). Dr. Gill will practice dermatology in Hawaii, while Drs. Philips and Wilson will be the 2016-2017 UTMB Dermatopathology Fellows and Dr. Malone will be the 2016-2017 UTMB Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellow.

Where do Dermatology Residents Practice?

According to the newest study in the June 2016 issue of Dermatology Online Journal (Chen AJ, Schwartz J, Kimball, A. There’s no place like home: an analysis of migration patterns of dermatology residents prior to,

during, and after their training), dermatology residents from the Midwest and the South are most likely to practice in the region where they attended high school and medical school. Program Directors may keep this in mind when ranking dermatology applicants when they are located in a region with a dermatologist shortage. For the entire article, please see http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3sf6z3pn

UTMB Dermatology Residents Award 2016 Faculty Teaching Awards

UTMB dermatology residents vote each year to recognize a faculty and a community dermatologist for excellent resident teaching. This year the awards were presented to Drs. Sharon Raimer  (faculty) and Ramon Sanchez (community).

Dr. Rebecca Philips Recognized for Best Dermatology Resident Research in 2016

Congratulations to Dr. Rebecca Philips for receiving the 2016 Excellence in Dermatology Resident Research Award. Each year the UTMB dermatology faculty review all of the research activity by the PGY4 dermatology residents over their three years of residency. Number and quality of research posters, presentations, and publications are considered. The required resident scholarly project is also a factor.

Dr. Kevin Sharghi Accepts Clinical Dermatology Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Sharghi, a UTMB SOM graduate and current PGY1 internal medicine resident at UTMB. He accepted a clinical dermatology research fellowship with Dr. Stephen Tyring at 

Center for Clinical Studies in Houston for the 2016-2017 academic year (see http://ccstexas.com/current-studies/ccs-fellowship ). Good luck in this fellowship!