Value of Mentorship and “Pipeline/Enrichment Programs” for Under-represented Minority Dermatology Applicants

JAAD 2020;83(6):1770-1773 presents data supporting the potential advantage of mentorship and “Pipeline/Enrichment Programs” for minority dermatology applicants. It was based on interviews conducted on dermatology applicants who applied to UT-Southwestern during two different application cycles.

2021 Galveston Mardi Gras Celebration Canceled

Due to COVID-19 there not be a Mardi Gras celebration in Galveston during 2021. New Orleans has also canceled its Mardi Gras parades.

Upcoming Dermatology Conferences

American Contact Dermatitis Society

Meeting Date: 3/17-18/21

Abstract link: https://www.contactderm.org/.../acds.../abstract-submission

Deadline for Abstracts: 1/3/2021

Atlantic Dermatology Conference

Meeting Date: 4/9-11/21

Abstract link: https://atlanticdermconference.org/call-for-abstracts/

Deadline for Abstracts: 1/4/2021

American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery

Meeting Date: 4/24-25/21

Abstract link: https://www.aslms.org/annual-conference-2021/for-abstracts

Deadline for Abstracts: 1/10/21

American College of Mohs Surgery

Meeting Date: 5/6-9/21

Abstract link: https://www.mohscollege.org/.../2021-annual-meeting...

Deadline for Abstracts: 1/11/2021

Society for Investigative Dermatology

Meeting Date: 5/3-8/21

Abstract link: https://www.sidannualmeeting.org/abs.../abstract-submission/

Deadline for Abstracts: 1/5/21

Dr. Michael Wilkerson Named New UTMB Department of Dermatology Chair

Congratulations Dr. Wilkerson on you appointment as the UTMB Dermatology Chair effective January 1, 2021. We all look forward to working with you!

AAMC Concerned about Residency Interview Distribution

The AAMC has issued an open letter about their concern about interview distribution this year:
 
“We are seeing students in the highest tier receiving a larger number of interviews per person than in past years, leaving other students – including those in the middle of the class – with fewer interviews than we would anticipate based on their qualifications.”
 
For the entire letter, please see: https://www.aamc.org/media/50291/download?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ERAS&utm_content=Interviews
 
Although not specifically addressed to dermatology applicants, it may apply.

100% Nine Years in a Row

All of the UTMB 2020 completing dermatology residents have passed the Certification Examination given by the American Board of Dermatology in October, and are now board certified dermatologists. Congratulations to Drs. Arathi Rana, Skyler Maher, Adam Nguyen, and Julie Croley on this outstanding achievement!

All UTMB Dermatology Residents Pass ABD CORE Exams on First Attempt

Congratulations to all of UTMB’s PGY4 dermatology residents for passing the 4 American Board of Dermatology CORE examinations in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, Dermatologic surgery, and dermatopathology on their first attempt! They were in the first group of residents required by the ABD to pass these exams in order to be eligible to take the ABD Certification Examination following anticipated program completion in June 2021. The CORE examinations are given in January, July, and November. PGY3 dermatology residents are eligible to take their first CORE Exams in January 2021. More than 1 CORE exam may be taken on the same testing date.

UTMB DIG Presents Another Successful Stay Shady

UTMB DIG has continued to combat in-person restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting its Stay Shady skin cancer education program virtually. Thank you to UTMB MS1 Fareen Momin for presenting Stay Shady virtually to the 5th grade students at Trinity Episcopal school on Thursday, December 10.                                   

Hats for the Homeless a Success

UTMB medical students led by MS2 Andrea Francis began distributing hats to Galveston homeless on Saturday December 12, 2020. Ten hats were distributed during the first session, and recipients were taught strategies to avoid sunlight damage to their skin while outdoors during the day. This group has 90 more hats to distribute with initial grant funding from a 2020 UTMB President’s Cabinet Award. Dr. Richard Wagner, UTMB Dermatology Program Director, is Ms. Francis’s faculty sponsor for this grant and her related Quality Improvement Dermatology Honors Research project.

Inaugural UTMB participants from left to right: Nesiya Sheriff (MS1), Fareen Momin (MS1), Andrea Francis (MS2), and Lillianne Villarreal (MS2)

Dermatology Research Year Available at Johns Hopkins

Medical students interested in a clinical research year (or two) starting July 1 in the area of Transplant Dermatology and Cutaneous Oncology should contact Courtney Elcock at celcock1@jhmi.edu for more information. MS3, MS4, and MS5 are being considered.

UTMB Matches with 2021-2022 Mohs Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Kristyna Gleghorn for matching into the UTMB Fellowship in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (Mohs) for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. Dr. Gleghorn is currently a PGY4 Dermatology Chief Resident at UTMB, where she also went to medical school. Her Fellowship Director is Dr. Richard Wagner, Professor Dermatology at UTMB, and her Associate Program Director is Dr. Aaron Joseph, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at UTMB.

UTMB PGY3 Dermatology Resident Appointed to ASDS Work Group

Congratulations to Dr. Paige Hoyer for her recent appointment to a Work Group for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) through 2023. She will work as a resident member of the ASDS Media Work Group. This Work Group is charged to ”Develop strategies to drive awareness and engagement in the society’s social media.”

UTMB Dermatology PGY2 Board Certified in Pediatrics

 Congratulations to UTMB PGY2 dermatology resident Dr. Ayezel Munoz for her recent board certification in pediatrics!

UTMB has Three 2020 Texas Dermatology Super Doctors!

Congratulations to 3 dermatology faculty who were recently named 2020
Texas Super Doctors at UTMB. Congratulations to Drs. Sharon Raimer (Legacy Member Super Doctor), Brent Kelly, and Erica Kelly for this well-deserved recognition!

Baylor Dermatology Chair Honored by UTMB

John E. Wolf, MD, MA, UTMB SOM class of 1965, has been named an Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus.

This award is the highest honor bestowed by the university's School of Medicine Alumni Association and recognizes UTMB alumni for their outstanding service to the medical profession and to humanity. Congratulations Dr. Wolf!

Outside Applicants Invited for UTMB Dermatology Interview

This years outside applicants came from 22 medical schools in 12 states and countries and included 3 rotators from 3 different medical schools. Their mean Step 1 score (required) was 246 (range 202-266) and their mean Step 2 score (not required) was 256 (range 227-274). 18 were members of AOA.

UTMB MS3 Publication in JAAD Case Reports

Congratulations to MS3 Michael Phan for his publication "Ulcerative injection-site reaction associated with dupilumab therapy". His co-authors are PGY3 Dr. Anthony Linfante and UTMB Faculty Dr. Kathleen Kroger. The link to the publication can be found here. 

Join Us for Our Next Let's Talk Skin of Color Event

Join UTMB Dermatology Interest Group this Saturday, December 5th, 2020 at 10:00am-11:30am CST via zoom where we will be hearing from a panel of residents who have successfully matched into Dermatology. We will discuss an array of topics, including but not limited to how to successfully match into a dermatology program, life as a resident/intern, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology. If you have specific questions that you would like to submit in advance, please submit them via the following link: https://forms.gle/vEuS314EP9Joyi876

You may join this Saturday's event by using the following zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/93549607734?pwd=bU1TOGdkS2JDUDUwcXZLOEtxRExYdz09

Please feel free to invite any friends or colleagues that you feel may benefit from this event. We look forward to seeing you all! 

UTMB PGY3 Dermatology Resident Receives ASDS Committee Appointment

Please congratulate Dr. Caroline Hagan for her recent invitation to participate as a resident member of the ASDS Patient Education Work Group. This Group works to “Develop strategies and tools for educating patients on  dermatologic surgery procedures/treatment options.”

Dr. Caroline Hagan Appointed to AAD Committee

Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Hagan, and current PGY3 dermatology resident at UTMB. She was recently appointed as a resident member of the American Academy of Dermatology Organizational Structure Committee beginning in March 2021 for a 2 year term. This committee is responsible for advising the AAD BOD about any changes to the organization.

UTMB MS2 Receives Honors Dermatology Research Project Approval

Congratulations to UTMB MS2 William Meyer for his Honors Dermatology Research Project approval. Preliminary results of his research, “The Association of Melanoma with Rainfall” was presented on the podium at the 2020 virtual fall Texas Dermatological Society meeting. His research mentor on this research Dr. Richard Wagner, the UTMB Dermatology Residency Program Director. Dermatology faculty participating on his ad hoc thesis committee are dermatology professors Drs. Brent Kelly and Sharon Raimer. Dr. Bret Howrey will chair his thesis committee.

2021 AAD Annual Meeting Canceled due to COVID-19 Restrictions

The 2021 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting that was to be held in March 2021 in San Francisco, CA has been canceled due to continued COVID-19 restrictions. Updates for alternative ways to deliver the meeting content will be posted at www.aad.org.

St. Vincent's Student-Run Clinic to Host Monthly Dermatology Night

St. Vincent's Student-Run Clinic will be hosting its monthly Dermatology Night on Thursday, December 3rd, with volunteer slots beginning at 5:15 pm. Students who are interested in volunteering should sign up using this link. 

APD/DIGA to Host Interview Webinar for Dermatology Applicants

 The National DIGA and The Association of Professors of Dermatology (APD) will be hosting an Interview Webinar for Applicants. 

"All dermatology residency applicants are invited to this 60-minute webinar jointly hosted by the Association of Professors of Dermatology (APD) and the Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA). The webinar will begin with a presentation on “Preparing for Behavioral Interviews” by Dr. Robert Brodell, Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Mississippi. The remainder of the webinar will consist of a structured Q&A with panelists providing insight regarding how to demonstrate interest in programs, interview preparation, and post-interview tips. We will conclude with presenters answering “realtime” questions from the audience.

WHEN: November 30th, 2020 8:00 PM EST (5:00 PM PST)"

Register here. 

Dr. Frank Winsett Accepts UTMB Dermatology Faculty Position

Dr. Frank Winsett, a current PGY4 UTMB dermatology chief resident, has accepted a dermatology faculty position as Assistant Professor on the tenure track at UTMB following expected residency completion on June 30, 2021. The UTMB DIG looks forward to working with you in your new role! This will bring the dermatology faculty number to 11, with 14 dermatology residents beginning July 1, 2021.

Congratulations UTMB Residents and Medical Students

The Annual Knox Lecture was held in virtual format by the Houston Dermatological Society in Galveston on Saturday, November 14^th in Galveston. The 20 case presentations were: 
 
1.            Eruptive Lesions in Patient with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Frank T Winsett MD, Caroline B Crain BS, Katelyn F Woolridge MD, Janice M Wilson MD, Brandon P Goodwin MD
2.            Multiple New Nevi in a 39-year-old Woman 
Frank T Winsett MD, Brandon P Goodwin MD
3.            An Unusual Facial Rash Following Injury on a Barnacle
Natalya Gallaga, B.S, Allison Good M.D., Kristyna Gleghorn M.D., Brandon Goodwin M.D., Brent Kelly M.D. 
4.            Pruritic Rash Following DRESS Syndrome
Morgan Arnold, MD, Renat Ahatov, BSA, Antonio Jimenez, BS, Brent Kelly, MD
5.            Drug Eruption in the COVID Era
Swaminathan Sundaresan M.D., Jocelyn Carnicle BS, Lindy Ross M.D., Stephanie Kemmerling FNP-C, Brent Kelly MD
6.            Vascular Growth on the Lower Leg
Paige Hoyer, MD, Antonio Jimenez, BS, Brandon Goodwin MD, Kathleen Kroger, MD
7.            Persistent and Progressive Scalp Hematoma
Paige Hoyer MD, Renat Ahatov, BSA, Brandon Goodwin MD, Janice Wilson MD 
8.            Centrifugally Expanding Lesion on the Face
Kristyna Gleghorn MD, McKenzi Poehl BS, Brandon Goodwin MD, Brent Kelly MD
9.            An Umbilical Nodule in a Patient with a History of Colorectal Cancer
Victor Teran MD, Antonio Jimenez BS, Renat Ahatov BSA, Brent Kelly MD, Brandon Goodwin MD
10.          Violaceous Plaques in an Incarcerated Male
Seena Monjazeb MD, Elise Weisert BS, Brandon Goodwin MD
11.          Chronic Ulcer at Site of Colostomy Reversal
Seena Monjazeb MD, Elise Weisert BS,  Brandon Goodwin MD, Janice Wilson MD
12.          A Case Series of Juicy Nodules
Anthony Linfante MD, Natalya Gallaga BS, Kristyna Gleghorn MD, Brent Kelly MD
13.          Erythematous Patches in a Child
Swaminathan Sundaresan MD, Xavier Rice BS, and Lindy Ross MD
14.          Erythematous Papules in a Young Girl
Caroline Hagan MD, Brandon Goodwin MD, Bernard Gibson MD
15.          Use of Cyclosporine in Pediatric Necrotic Eruption
Caroline Hagan MD, Brandon Goodwin MD, Kathleen Kroger MD
16.          Folliculitis in a 4-year-old Girl
Keith Wagner MD, Natalya Gallaga BS, Brandon Goodwin MD, Brent Kelly MD
17.          Sudden Onset Vitiligo after 6 Month Episode of Blindness
Kristyna Gleghorn MD, Claire Culbertson BSA, Janice Wilson MD
18.          Ichthyosis in a Young Girl
Morgan Arnold MD, Antonio Jimenez BS, Sharon Raimer MD
19.          An Enlarging Patch of Short Hair
Ayezel Munoz MD, Sarah Kesaria MD, Janice Wilson MD, Bandon Goodwin MD
20.          Elephantiasic pretibial myxedema in the setting of Grave’s Disease

Andrew Armenta MD, Andrea Francis BS, Brandon Goodwin MD, Brent Kelly MD, Bernard Gibson MD
21.          Diffuse Pretibial Myxedema (thyroid dermatopathy)

Andrew Armenta MD, Andrea Francis BS, Brandon Goodwin MD, Brent Kelly MD, Bernard Gibson MD

DIG Participates Virtually in St. Vincent's HOPE Health Fair

UTMB DIG participated virtually in the 2020 St. Vincent's Student-Run Clinic's HOPE Health Fair by providing informational pamphlets (shown below) to participants on sun protection and preventing skin cancer. Thank you to Renat Ahatov for coordinating and Olivia Arriaza and Kate Zipperer for their help with this event! 

UTMB MS2 Receives Honors Dermatology Research Project Approval

Congratulations to UTMB MS2 Andrea Francis for her Honors Dermatology Research Project approval. Her project, “Hats for the Homeless for Preventative Health Quality Improvement Initiative” previously received funding from the UTMB President’s Cabinet. Her research mentor on this work is Dr. Richard Wagner, the UTMB Dermatology Residency Program Director. Dermatology faculty participating on her ad hoc thesis committee are Drs. Brent Kelly and Sharon Raimer. Dr. Bret Howery (Family Medicine) will chair her Honors Thesis Committee.

How Much do Personal Statements Matter for Dermatology Resident Applicants?

Lots of time and effort are spent crafting the personal statement for dermatology residency applications. How much do they count when residency programs evaluate applicants? A recent article in the October 2020 issue Dermatology Online Journal addresses this question (please see https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5sc9j0qx ). The authors found that the personal statement was the least important variable for residency programs when evaluating potential applicants.

UTMB Former Mohs Fellows Publish Survey on Handedness

Congratulations to UTMB’s former Mohs Fellows Drs. Vlad Codrea and Jason Hirshburg for publication of their communication (available online ahead of print) “Handedness in Micrographic Surgery Fellows: An Anonymous Professional Survey of Fellowship Directors” in the November 2020 issue of Dermatologic Surgery. Their coauthors were Drs. A. Joseph (Associate Fellowship Director) and R. Wagner is the the Fellowship Director. Dr. Codrea is currently dermatology faculty at the University of West Virginia, and Dr. Hirshburg is dermatology faculty at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Joseph is in private practice in Pasadena, Texas and Dr. Wagner is Professor Dermatology at UTMB in Galveston.

 

Hats for the Homeless Seeks UTMB Student Volunteers

Hats for the Homeless is a program where UTMB students will provide sun-safe education and hats to the Galveston homeless. Volunteers are needed for giving patient education, distributing hats, and for conducting surveys. Interested students should fill out this form: https://forms.gle/NMpcSbJgREDTCtMs6

28th Annual John M Knox MD Memorial Lecture

UTMB is hosting the annual John M. Knox MD Memorial Lecture sponsored by the Houston Dermatological Society on Saturday, November 14, 2020.  Please join our dermatology residents, faculty, and students for some interesting virtual patient presentations and to hear our guest speaker, Dr. Kirk Elston lecture on “The Best Articles from JAAD” and “What You Need to Know about the New Coding Rules.”

Registration for webinar can be found here

2019-2020 UTMB Dermatopathology Fellows Pass ABD Certification Examination in Dermatopathology

Both Drs. Ghadah Al Saanna and Emily Behrens received news this week that they passed ABD Certification Examination in Dermatopathology! Congratulations!