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! 

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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).