UTMB MS4 Publishes Letter in IJWD

Congratulations to Jane Onyemachi (MS4) and her co-authors Elise Weisert, MD (PGY4)  and Lindy Ross, MD (Assistant Professor of Dermatology) on their Letter to the Editor  titled "Bridging gaps and cultivating care: a call for culturally competent dermatological education for ethnic hair" published in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology,  a peer-reviewed global, open-access dermatologic journal. This article proposes the development of an AAD CME module focused on enhancing cultural competence regarding hair camouflage techniques used by ethnic patients with alopecia. This article can be found here: https://journals.lww.com/ijwd/fulltext/2025/03000/bridging_gaps_and_cultivating_care__a_call_for.4.aspx

Citation: Onyemachi, Jane BSN; Weisert, Elise MD, MPH; Ross, Lindy MD. Bridging gaps and cultivating care: a call for culturally competent dermatological education for ethnic hair. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology 11(1):p e192, March 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000192 

All UTMB Dermatology Residency and Fellowship Programs Receive Continued Accreditation

 The UTMB DIG congratulates the UTMB Department of Dermatology faculty and residents for receiving Continued Accreditation from the ACGME Dermatology Residency Review Committee for its residency program in dermatology, and it’s two fellowships in dermatopathology and micrographic surgery/dermatologic oncology.

UTMB PGY2 Dermatology Resident Publishes Comprehensive Review on Scalp Reconstruction Following Mohs Surgery

 

Congratulations to Dr. Travis Dowdle, a PGY2 UTMB dermatology resident, for his recent first-author review that was published in Archives of Dermatological Research, “Local flap guidance for scalp reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery. His UTMB coauthors were Drs. Brinda Chellappan (PGY4 UTMB dermatology resident), Juan Pinto-Cuberos (PGY4 UTMB dermatology resident and incoming UTMB Mohs fellow for the 2025-2026 academic year in July 2025), Andrew Armenta (UTMB 2023-2024 Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellow), Frank Winsett (UTMB Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Associate Program Director, Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology), and Richard Wagner (Professor Dermatology and Program Director of Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology). The other collaborator was Kritin Verma, a medical student at Texas Tech. Dr. Chellappan drew the figures included in this review. Its citation is Dowdle, T.S., Chellappan, B., Pinto-Cuberos, J.M. et al. Local flap guidance for scalp reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery. Arch Dermatol Res 317, 193 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-024-03720-8

 

One anonymous journal reviewer wrote:

 

“I am writing to share my feedback on your manuscript titled "Local Flap guidance for Scalp Reconstruction Following Mohs Micrographic Surgery." First and foremost, I would like to commend you on the significant value this work adds to the field of surgical dermatology.

Your manuscript provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of local flap reconstruction options for scalp defects. By integrating anatomical knowledge, technical advantages, and practical considerations, you have created an exceptional resource that is both thorough and well-supported by scientific evidence. The inclusion of diagrams and artistic representations is particularly noteworthy, as it greatly enhances the understanding of complex procedures, making it an invaluable educational tool for trainees and experienced surgeons alike.

Moreover, your focus on a clinically relevant and timely topic, offering innovative solutions for managing complex scalp defects, addresses an important need in the field. This contribution not only advances practical approaches in surgical dermatology but also enriches the existing literature, serving as a valuable reference for both current practice and future research endeavors.

I believe your work is a critical addition to the body of knowledge in dermatological surgery, and its publication will undoubtedly benefit practitioners, researchers, and educators in this specialty. Congratulations on your efforts in producing such a high-quality manuscript.”

 

The article is available online at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00403-024-03720-8

How Much Research Is Needed for Dermatology Residency?

Medical student applicants for dermatology residency positions are often interested in the number of research projects and publications needed for a competitive application. A recent analysis on this topic was just published:

Okereke, R., Szauter, K. & Ede, N. Publication count of matched dermatology applicants reported in literature: a systematic review.Arch Dermatol Res 317, 162 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-024-03666-x

UTMB Raises Resident and Fellow Salaries for 2025-2026 Academic Year

UTMB Raises Resident and Fellow Salaries for 2025-2026 Academic Year

PGY2

$68,654

 

PGY3

$70,783

 

PGY4

$73,229

 

PGY5

$76,603

December CODE BB

This December, CODE BB posted its latest board at Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School, focusing on how cold weather can affect the skin and debunking common myths about winter and sun exposure. This display educates students on how colder temperatures can lead to dryness and irritation, while also highlighting the importance of protecting skin from UV rays, even when it's cold outside. A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped bring this project to life! Be sure to look out for more ways to get involved with next month's board!

 

Feel free to reach out to Casey Brusen (cabrusen@utmb.edu) or Lynchi Nguyen (lypnguye@utmb.edu) if you have any questions!

 

From left to right:  Sebastian Certuche, Areeba Navroz, Jun Park

UTMB Students and Faculty Publish in JEADV

Congratulations to Madelyn Schmidt (MS3), Lynchi Nguyen (MS2), Casey Brusen (MS2), Elise Weisert (PGY-4), and Anthony Linfante (faculty) for their recent publication in JEADV, titled Enhanced Cardiovascular Risks in Patients with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

 

Citation: Schmidt M, Nguyen L, Brusen C, Weisert E, Linfante A (December, 2024). Enhanced Cardiovascular Risks in Patients with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. http://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20509

UTMB Students and Faculty Publish in JAAD

Congratulations to Christopher Thang (MS3.5/research year) and David Garate (MS4) for their publication in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD)  (Impact Factor: 12.8). Their project was conducted with Dr. George Golovko, PhD (UTMB Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology) and Dr. Michael G. Wilkerson, MD (Professor and Chair of UTMB Department of Dermatology).

 

Reference: Lai J, Thang CJ, Garate D, Golovko G, Wilkerson MG, Barbieri JS. Acne is associated with an increased risk of stress fractures: a population-based cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2024 Dec 3.

 

Link: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(24)03286-9/abstract

UTMB PGY4 Dermatology Resident Dr. Juan Pinto-Cuberos will be the 9th UTMB Fellow in the UTMB Mohs Fellowship

Congratulations to current PGY4 dermatology resident Juan Pinto-Cuberos for matching into the AGCME Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) fellowship for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. We are all looking forward to working with you! Dr. Richard Wagner (UTMB Professor Dermatology) is the fellowship Program Director and Dr. Frank Winsett (UTMB Assistant Professor) is the Associate Program Director.

UTMB Students and Faculty Publish in JACI: In Practice

Congratulations to David Garate (MS4) Christopher Thang (MS3.5/research year) for their publication as co-first authors in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice) (Impact Factor: 8.2). Their project was conducted with Trevor L. Murphy (MS3), Dr. George Golovko, PhD (UTMB Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology), and Dr. Michael G. Wilkerson, MD (Professor and Chair of UTMB Department of Dermatology).

 

Reference: Garate D, Thang CJ, Chang CT, Owji S, Murphy TL, Golovko G, Da Rosa JC, Guttman-Yassky E, Wilkerson MG, Gulati N. Risk of malignancy associated with use of dupilumab versus other treatments in atopic dermatitis patients: a national database analysis. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Accepted 2024 Nov 19.

 

Link: https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(24)01180-2/abstract

UTMB Dermatology Invites Applicants for Interviews in February 2025

 The UTMB Department of Dermatology received 444 applications for dermatology residency positions to start in July 2026. Of these, 43 applicants from 21 different medical schools from 10 states/territories were invited for virtual interviews in February 2025 for the 6 available UTMB dermatology residency positions offered through the NRMP. The UTMB DIG wishes everyone good luck with their upcoming interviews at UTMB and with the dermatology match!

Congratulations Dr. Armenta!

The UTMB Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) has learned that Dr. Drew Armenta, the 2023-2024 UTMB Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellow passed the American Board of Dermatology subspecialty certification examination in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery on the first attempt during the September 2024 administration of the exam. We all enjoyed working with you throughout your dermatology residency and fellowship at UTMB, and we hope that you will return to Texas soon!

UTMB MS3 Presents at Hot Spots in Dermatology 2024 Symposium

Congratulations to Madelyn Schmidt (MS3) for presenting her project “Guarding the Rays: Use of an Educational Training to Enhance Sun Safety Practices Among Lifeguards” with UTMB faculty Dr. Richard Wagner (Program Director of Dermatology and Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology) at the Hot Spots in Dermatology 2024 Symposium in Oahu, Hawaii.

DIG's CODE BB November Volunteer Event

This month, Children Obtaining Dermatology Education through Bulletin Boards (CODE BB) posted its latest bulletin board at Crenshaw Elementary/Middle School, which uses a pumpkin patch to teach kids about common skin conditions like acne and eczema. It also reminds students that each person's skin is unique and deserves love and respect. A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who helped bring this project to life! Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in next month's board! 

 

Feel free to reach out to Casey Brusen (cabrusen@utmb.edu) or Lynchi Nguyen (lypnguye@utmb.edu) if you have any questions!

 

 From left to right: Pierce Bassett (MS2), Dani Miller (MS2), Shawn Lim (MS2), Jun Park (MS1)

UTMB Dermatology Publishes About Historical Impact of Frederic E. Mohs, MD

Congratulations to UTMB PGY2 dermatology resident Dr. Travis Dowdle and Dermatology Program and Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) Fellowship Director Dr. Richard Wagner for their co-authorship on a recently published article in the peer-reviewed journal Cureus titled, “Layers of Genius: The Mohs Method and its Maverick Inventor”. The first author of this article was Michael Brennan, a recent visiting medical student rotator from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Dearborn, Michigan. This online article is available at Cureus 16(11): e73377. doi:10.7759/cureus.73377

UTMB Medical Students Present at the 2024 SHSA Conference

 

Congratulations to the medical students that presented their research at the 9^th annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances. Madelyn Schmidt (MS3) presented her research with Dr. Kathleen Kroger (Faculty), and Alekhya Gurram (MS2) and Neha Momin (MS2) presented their research with Dr. Michael Wilkerson (Dermatology Department Chair) on November 1-3^rd in Austin, Texas.

 

Schmidt M, Kroger K (November, 2024). Adverse Effects of Steroid Therapy in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Retrospective Cohort Study. The Symposium of Hidradenitis Suppurative Advances. Austin, Texas.

Gurram A, Nanduri R, Momin N, Golovko G, Wilkerson M, Ayadi A (November, 2024). Associations Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa Comorbidities and Anatomical Area-Specific Excision. The Symposium of Hidradenitis Suppurative Advances. Austin, Texas.

Dr. Anthony Linfante Co-authors Multicenter Skin Cancer Study

Congratulations to Dr. Anthony Linfante, UTMB Assistant Professor of Dermatology, for his recent online publication, “Clinical Utility of a Digital Dermoscopy Image-Based Artificial Intelligence Device in the Diagnosis and Management of Skin Cancer by Dermatologists” in Cancers 2024,16(21), 3592 https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16213592

UTMB MS2 Presents at 2024 PeDRA Meeting

 

Congratulations to UTMB MS2 Alekhya Gurram for her recent research poster presentation, “Examining Representations of Alopecia and Trichotillomania in Children’s Literature” at the 12^th PeDRA  Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Her coauthors on this poster were Drs. Fareen Momin (incoming UTMB PGY2 dermatology resident in July 2025) and Richard Wagner (UTMB Professor Dermatology and UTMB Dermatology Program Director).

October H4H Event

Thank you to all the volunteers who joined us for the Dermatology Interest Group’s October Hats for the Homeless event on Saturday, 10/19/24. Your involvement is invaluable, and we truly appreciate your time and effort. If you're interested in volunteering at future events, please fill out this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEz9sl_TC1FAj3QPDTT8DUly6J2sZPdZqpx6XnQnDBlkeToQ/viewform

 

Pictured from left to right: Casey Brusen (MS2), Victoria Katei (MS4), Alekhya Gurram (MS2).

 

Dr. Brent Kelly Speaks at an Osler Student Society Dinner with a Faculty

Dr. Brent Kelly shared his "six pearls" at an Osler Student Society Dinner with a Faculty event for UTMB medical students. Dr. Kelly is a previous recipient of the UTMB John P McGovern Academy of Oslerian Medicine Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. Thank you, Dr. Kelly, for your dedication to teaching and mentoring medical students and residents!

Pictured left to right: Madelyn Schmidt (DIG vice president, MS3), Dr. Erica Kelly (dermatology faculty), Dr. Brent Kelly (dermatology faculty), Melissa Marchan-Martinez (secretary), Lynchi Nguyen (melanoma walk chair, MS2), and Andrew Spires (psoriasis walk chair, MS2).

Recap of DIG's First Good Skin Knowledge Workshop

Last Wednesday, DIG volunteered at Austin Elementary to provide educational lessons provided by AAD Good Skin Knowledge grant! Last week’s lesson plan involved learning about the layers of skin, the role of a dermatologist, and how to take care of your skin! DIG will be leading 3 more scheduled lesson plans this fall, please email Bethel (@bddesta@utmb.edu) or Jane (jaonyema@utmb.edu) if you would like to get involved!

  

Pictured L to R: Matthew De La Garza, Sarah Ahmed, Blanche Beohon, Casey Brusen, Bethel Desta, Gabriela Villa, Presley Limon, Alekhya Gurram

DIG's Sun Safety Booth at Fiesta Comunidad on 10/12

Today our DIG members participated in this year’s Fiesta Comunidad, a community-wide event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the College of the Mainland. Our volunteers distributed sunscreen, donated by UTMB Dermatology, and engaged with attendees about the importance of sun protection and safety.

From Left to Right: Jane Onyemachi (DIG President, MS4), Jun Park (MS1), Danielle Miller (MS2), Lynchi Nguyen (Melanoma Walk Chair, MS2), and Andrew Spires (Psoriasis Walk Chair, MS2)