2011 UTMB Dermatology PGY4s Graduate

Congratulations (from left to right) to Drs. Mika Yamazaki, David Raimer, John Stephens and Matt Petitt! Dr. Yamazaki will practice in Honolulu, Dr. Raimer will take a Procedural Dermatology Fellowship in Birmingham (UAB), Dr. Stephens will practice in Indianapolis, and Dr. Petitt will join a practice in Pasadena, TX that combines clinical dermatology with dermatopathology. Thanks for contributing so much to our dermatology program over the past three years! Y'all will be greatly missed!

Dr. John Stephens’ Championship Seasons at UTMB

Congratulations to Dr. John Stephens for his excellent year in UTMB Intramurals. He was on the championship teams in both the Basketball and Flag Football Intramural Leagues, with a combined record of 25-1. Prior to this year, Dr. Stephens had made it to the championship in Flag football the past two years and had won the Basketball Intramural League for the past two years. He earned varsity letters in two sports (football and baseball) while an undergraduate student at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Dr. Stephens will be returning to Indiana for private dermatology practice soon.

Dr. Audra Clos Publishes JAAD Paper about Amyloidosis

Congratulations to Dr. Clos and her coauthors (Christian Lasagna-Reeves and Drs. Brent Kelly, Richard Wagner, Michael Wilkerson, George Jackson, and Rakez Kayed) for their JAAD paper, “Role of oligomers in the amyloidogenesis of primary cutaneous amyloidosis.” The citation for this research is doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2010.09.735 . Dr. Clos will begin dermatology residency at UTMB in July 2012 following a dermatology research fellowship at MD Anderson.

Dr. Matt Petitt Recognized by UTMB Dermatology Faculty for Best Research by a PGY4 Dermatology Resident

Congratulations to Dr. Petitt! Thanks for all of the research support and expertise that you provided to DIG members during your dermatopathology fellowship and dermatology residency at UTMB.

UTMB SOM Class of 2011 MS4 Awards

Four UTMB MS4s were recognized for their academic excellence in dermatology at the weekly journal club. This year’s awardees were Brett Blakeway (Beiersdorf History of Dermatology Award), Auris Huen (Best Original Essay Award for Skin Diseases Depicted in Cinema Course), Michaela Marek (Thomas B. Freese Award for Overall Excellence in Dermatology, missing from photos), and Lindsey Hunter (Edgar B. Smith Endowed Scholarship Award for Excellent Dermatology Research by a Medical Student). Auris, Michaela, and Lindsey will begin dermatology residencies following completion of their PGY1 year. Brett will begin residency in anesthesiology at the University of Oklahoma. The SOM Class of 2011 will graduate on June 4, 2011. Congratulations!

Brett Blakeway and Auris Huen with Dr. Wagner

Lindsey Hunter with Dr. Raimer

UTMB’s Clinical Dermatology Elective DERU-4010

Dr. John Stephens gave a presentation of his scholarly project to the dermatology department this morning. Part of the presentation summarized the DERU-4010 Clinical Dermatology elective ( http://ar.utmb.edu/04-05review/bdisplay.asp?rec=339 ) under the direction of Dermatology Chair, Dr. Sharon Raimer. DERU-4010 is offered every Period at UTMB to 4 UTMB medical students, visiting medical students and/or UTMB PA students. The majority of students taking this elective were MS4s intending on primary care specialties. Students taking this elective received one faculty lecture and one resident lecture on dermatology topics each week of the elective. There was a 25 question multiple choice examination that reflected previously seen lecture slides and topics that the students had been exposed to during the rotation (mean score = 91%, range = 76-100%). Student comments about the elective were positive overall:

— “This was a great rotation to take for those going into internal medicine. Thank You!”
— “Great teaching by residents and faculty. Really appreciated Dr. Brent Kelly’s impromptu teaching sessions.”
— “Great rotation with a lot of teaching by residents and faculty. Learned a lot about common derm complaints that will benefit me later in practice.”
— “ I would like to see more cosmetic derm.”
— “I enjoyed being able to participate in journal club on Fridays. The lectures by faculty and residents were very helpful because they particularly focused on common dermatological problems.”
— “I enjoyed the lectures, most rotations don’t offer that.”
— “Everyone was incredibly nice and helpful. Great group of residents. Lots of opportunity for students to get involved and perform procedures.”
— “Rotation helped very much with basic pediatrics problems.”
— “ I enjoyed working with faculty and residents. I learned a great deal that will be helpful to me in internal medicine.”
— “I loved this rotation! I want to work (as a PA) in the ER for a couple of years and eventually work in derm!”

UTMB Dermatology Residents Announce 2011 Teaching Awards

Residents’ Award for Excellent Dermatology Faculty Teaching: Erica B. Kelly, MD

Residents’ Award for Excellent Teaching by a Community Dermatologist: Ramon Sanchez, MD

Congratulations to these awardees!

UTMB DIG Interest in Poison Ivy Education and Prevention

UTMB DIG vice president Chelsea Altinger and immediate past president Lindsey Hunter have collaborated with faculty advisor Dr. Richard Wagner to submit a proposal, “Elusive Ivy” to The President’s Cabinet at UTMB requesting funding for an innovative community service project to educate people in Galveston County about the recognition and avoidance of poison ivy in the local environment. Poison ivy is a leading, but preventable cause of severe contact dermatitis. Winning proposals should be awarded by September 1^st. Thanks for taking the initiative to help educate Galveston natives and visitors about how to avoid this noxious plant!

"Stay Shady!" at Holy Family Catholic School

Yesterday, May 23rd, UTMB DIG's Community Outreach Co-Chair, Michaela Marek (MS4), presented "Stay Shady!" to 80 students in Pre-K thru 7th grade at Holy Family Catholic School in Galveston. They were a great audience, asking questions about whether wearing dark-colored clothing is worse for their skin and also about how we treat skin cancers.

The UTMB DIG would like to thank Holy Family Catholic School for hosting us and for being such a wonderful audience!

If you have a suggestion for a school that could benefit from our "Stay Shady!" presentation next year, please email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu).

Dr. Stan Taylor's Dermatology RRC Update

Dr. Stan Taylor, a UTMB SOM alum and Professor of Dermatology at UT Southwestern, is the Chair of the Dermatology RRC Committee. In the May 2011 RRC News (Dermatology), he addressed an issue of interest to medical students with an interest in a dermatology career. When the Dermatology RRC last met in April, they approved the creation of 23 new permanent dermatology positions in 9 different dermatology programs. There are now 1197 dermatology positions at 114 residency programs. However, just because a position has been permanently approved by the Dermatology RRC does not mean that it is funded by the residency program requesting it. It is possible that some of these spots will remain unfilled until funding is available.

Third Friday in March

March 16, 2012 (the third Friday in March) is now Match Day, as recently announced by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

Dr. Anthony Perri Magazine Cover

Yes, that is Dr. Perri on the cover of the Spring 2011 issue of H Texas Magazine (www.htexas.com) and more details about his practice appear on Pages 74-75 of this magazine. He is currently in dermatology practice at Sadler Clinic in Conroe and The Woodlands, Texas.

"Stay Shady!" at Satori School

On Friday, May 20th, UTMB DIG members André Pitt (MS1, left), Ryan Riahi (MS3, middle) and Rebecca Philips (MS3, right) presented "Stay Shady!" at Satori School. They taught 30 students from Kindergarten thru 5th grade about the importance of sun safety.


After the presentations, students made UV bead bracelets. The UV beads turn from white to different colors when exposed to UV rays, reminding the students that their skin is being affected by the sun. Even on cloudy days, the beads will change colors and show kids how important protecting your skin is even when you cannot see the sun’s shining rays.

The UTMB DIG would like to thank Satori School for hosting us and for being such a wonderful audience!

UTMB’s 2011 Outstanding Overall Resident Award

Dr. John Stephens, the 2011 awardee, was unable to attend his award ceremony in UTMB’s Caduceus Room today, so his award was accepted by UTMB’s Dermatology Program Director, Dr. Richard Wagner. Dr. Stephens wrote the following statement, which was read to the group in attendance:

“I would like to thank the graduate medical education committee at UTMB for this great honor. I am sorry that I can’t be present to accept the award. I have been lucky enough to be part of a great department over the past few years and would like to share this award with my fellow residents, faculty, and support staff. UTMB has provided me with a great opportunity to explore the art of medicine and develop my skills as a physician. I am thankful to have been able to learn from some truly wonderful residents and faculty during my time here. I hope this recognition inspires a continued commitment to excellent patient care and medical education for many years to come. Thanks again.”

This award is made annually by the UTMB Graduate Medical Education Committee from nominations received from UTMB Residency and Fellowship Directors from over 500 house staff. Dr. Stephens was the Department of Dermatology nominee in 2010 as well, and received the departmental award for Excellent Service and Leadership by a Dermatology Resident.

Congratulations on this outstanding professional achievement, Dr. Stephens!

UTMB PGY4 Dermatology Residents Win Awards At Annual Texas Dermatological Society Meeting for Poster and Podium Presentations

Congratulations to Drs. David Raimer and Matt Petitt for their resident awards at the Texas Dermatological Association meeting held in Houston this past weekend. Dr. Raimer was awarded 3rd Place for his poster about the use of porcine xenografts for the immediate postoperative wound management of Mohs wounds, and Dr. Petitt was awarded 3rd Place for his podium presentation about B-cell lymphoma.

DIG Meeting Recap - 5/12/2011

The UTMB DIG had its last meeting of the 2010-2011 academic year on Thursday. If you weren't able to join us, here's what you missed:

Guest speaker: Dr. Richard Wagner

UTMB DIG's faculty advisor, Dr. Richard Wagner, answered student questions and gave advice on a variety of topics, including the dermatology match, away electives for fourth year medical students, the dermatology acting internship, research during medical school, the 2011 practice dermatology board exam and dermatology fellowships. Thank you, Dr. Wagner, for taking the time to meet with us! Email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu) for more details of what was discussed.

Recent Community Outreach

1. "Stay Shady!" Presentation at Weis Middle School, May 3rd: Community Outreach Co-Chair, Michaela Marek, gave presentations to five 6th grade science classes, teaching 113 students about the importance of sun safety. Michaela, thank you for your hard work!

2. Houston Dermatological Society Skin Cancer Screening, May 7th: UTMB Dermatology faculty, residents and nurses, in addition to UTMB DIG medical students, provided free skin cancer screenings in Galveston and League City. Thank you to everyone involved for putting on this successful event!

Upcoming "Stay Shady!" Presentations: Looking for Volunteers!

Email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu) if you would like to participate.

1. Satori School: Friday, May 20, 2011 at 1:30 PM

2. Holy Family Catholic School: Monday, May 23, 2011 at 9 AM

Galveston AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk, May 7th

Thank you to UTMB Melanoma Walk Co-Chairs, Kenne Ogunmakin and Auris Huen, for organizing this event! We had over 40 participants and raised $2,300+ for melanoma research and awareness.

Society for Investigative Dermatology 2011 Meeting

UTMB DIG Galveston President, Lindsey Hunter, presented research (#697: Hunter L, Wang S, Wickliffe J, Wilkerson M. Reevaluating the toxicity and mutagenicity of photoactivated Rose Bengal in Chinese hamster ovary cells. J of Invest Dermatol. 2011; 131: S117) at the 71st annual SID meeting, held in Phoenix, Arizona on May 4-7, 2011. She had a great experience and encourages other medical students to participate in the future. Email Lindsey Hunter (lihunter@utmb.edu) with questions.

Thank you to the 2010-2011 UTMB DIG Officers and Faculty Advisor!

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the 2010-2011 UTMB DIG Officers and our Faculty Advisor, Dr. Richard Wagner. Thank you to everyone for all of your hard work this year! If you missed the meeting, don't forget to pick up your certificate from the dermatology department office.

Never too late to say Thank You

UTMB dermatology department held free skin cancer screenings last Saturday, May 7, following the AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk. UTMB DIG would like to thank the UTMB dermatology faculty and residents, in addition to the medical student DIG members, for their community service. The screenings took place both at the Bay Colony Clinic in League City and the Stewart Road Clinic here in Galveston.

UTMB Dermatology Residents Shine on 2011 Dermatology Practice Examination

It is hard to do better than 100%, as one PGY4 UTMB dermatology resident did on the dermatopathology section of the test. Two other residents, a PGY3 and a PGY4, scored 97% on the procedural dermatology section of the test, and two scored 96% in basic science. Other residents scored 90% or greater in pediatric dermatology (3), basic science (1), procedural dermatology (1).

Galveston AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk Raises Over $2,300!

This past Saturday, May 7th, the UTMB DIG held our annual Galveston AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk at the UTMB Alumni Field House track. 40 people participated and raised $2,300+ for melanoma research and awareness! This year's walk was in honor of Stage I Melanoma Survivor, Courtney Scott. It was in loving memory of Rex Thomas Bass (1964-2006).

Special thanks to the AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk Co-Chairs, Auris Huen and Kehinde Ogunmakin, and all of the walk participants for making this such a successful event!

Dr. Mara Dacso and MS4 Lindsey Hunter Return from Annual SID Meeting

Dr. Mara Dacso, a PGY2 dermatology resident at UTMB, and UTMB MS4 Lindsey Hunter stand in front of Lindsey’s poster at the recent SID meeting in Arizona. Dr. Dacso was nominated by UTMB to attend the 2011 SID Resident Retreat and was selected to participate by the SID Selection Committee.

UTMB DIG Meeting this Thursday

The UTMB DIG will be holding its last meeting of the school year this upcoming Thursday, May 12th at 5:00 PM in the Dermatology Conference Room (4.112 McCullough Building). Our guest speaker will be UTMB DIG's Faculty Advisor, Dr. Richard Wagner.

We hope to see you all there!

"Stay Shady!" at Weis Middle School

On Tuesday, May 3rd, UTMB DIG's Community Outreach Co-Chair, Michaela Marek (MS4), presented "Stay Shady!" to five 6th grade science classes at Weis Middle School in Galveston. She taught over 100 students about the importance of sun safety.

The UTMB DIG would like to thank Weis Middle School for hosting us and for being such a wonderful audience!

UTMB MS4 Kenne Ogunmakin Awarded Magna Cum Laude Dermatology Research Honors

UTMB MS4 Kenne Ogunmakin presented her Dermatology Research Honors Project Thesis presentation (“Co-morbid psychiatric dysfunction in patients with keloids using GHQ-12: a comparison to patients with psoriasis”) and was awarded Magna Cum Laude dermatology research honors by her ad hoc Honors Committee. Her faculty advisor was Dr. Erica Kelly and her thesis committee members are Drs. Simon Lewis, Sharon Raimer and Richard Wagner. It is the second (and final) dermatology research honors project presented this academic year. Following graduation from the UTMB SOM in June, Ms. Ogunmakin will take her PGY1 year in the Department of Internal Medicine at UTMB before going to Texas Tech for her dermatology residency. Congratulations to UTMB DIG member Kenne Ogunmakin for achieving this distinguished academic honor at UTMB!

We need volunteers for the Skin Cancer Screening THIS weekend

The UTMB DIG needs volunteers this Saturday to assist UTMB Dermatology faculty and residents at the annual skin cancer screening from 10 AM to 1 PM following the AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk. You can sign up for either of the locations below by contacting Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu) or Kenne Ogunmakin (koogunma@utmb.edu) with your site preference.

Stewart Road Family Medicine
6710 Stewart Road, Suite 100
Galveston, TX 77551
409-744-4030

University Dermatology at Bay Colony
2785 Gulf Freeway South, Suite 165
League City, TX 77573
281-534-3376

Thanks for your help!

UTMB SOM 2011 MS4 Lindsey Hunter Awarded Dean’s Award for Research Excellence

Congratulations to Lindsey Hunter, the 2010-2011 UTMB Dermatology Interest Group President, for her award of this prestigious honor! Following graduation in June, Ms. Hunter will take her PGY1 year in the UTMB Department of Internal Medicine and then begin dermatology residency at UTMB in July 2012.

The 2011 Galveston AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walk: Saturday, May 7th

Join the UTMB DIG this Saturday for the annual Galveston AIM for a CURE Melanoma Walk to help raise melanoma awareness and support melanoma research. This year's walk is in honor of Stage I Melanoma Survivor, Courtney Scott. It is in loving memory of Rex Thomas Bass (1964-2006).

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011
Time: Registration at 8:00 AM; Walk begins at 8:30 AM
Walk Location: UTMB Alumni Field House, 215 Holiday Dr., Galveston, TX 77555
Additional Info: There is NO fee to register. Each participant is encouraged to raise at least $50.
To Register and/or Donate: http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/aim-for-action/1158/1159/galveston-2011.html.

Following the walk, UTMB Dermatology Residents and Faculty will be providing FREE skin cancer screenings at the Stewart Road and Bay Colony Dermatology clinics from 10 AM - 1 PM!

Stewart Road Family Medicine
6710 Stewart Road, Suite 100
Galveston, TX 77551
409-744-4030

University Dermatology at Bay Colony
2785 Gulf Freeway South, Suite 165
League City, TX 77573
281-534-3376

The UTMB DIG is looking for medical student volunteers to help at both skin cancer screening locations. Email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu) if you are interested in volunteering.

Questions? Contact AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk Co-Chairs Kenne Ogunmakin (koogunma@utmb.edu) or Auris Huen (aohuen@utmb.edu).

First Dermatology Research Honors Project Approved for UTMB SOM Class of 2012

Congratulations to Donnie Warren, a current UTMB MS3, for gaining the UTMB Honors Committee approval for his dermatology honors research project entitled, “Preventing Ultraviolet Radiation Hand Injury: Hand Cancer Awareness and Protective Behaviors.” Mr. Warren had obtained biostatistical consultation for this study from Dr. Daniel Freeman and UTMB IRB approval prior to its submission to the UTMB Honors Committee for review. He had previous experience assisting Dr. Doug Heiner on scalp cancer prevention research at UTMB while he was an MS2. His faculty advisor on this research is Dr. Richard Wagner from the UTMB Department of Dermatology.

TCOM Student Enrolls in UTMB Dermatology Film Class (DERU-4007)

The UTMB DIG was happy to hear that a visiting TCOM (Ft.Worth) student is scheduled to take Dr. Richard Wagner's elective film class during period 11. She is the second visiting student from Texas to enroll in this class, which is entirely available through teleconferencing.

Aron Nusbaum Wins National Student Research Forum (NSRF) Dermatology Poster Award for Wound Debridement Study

Congratulations to medical student Aron Nusbaum, Medical University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: "Comparison of two novel debridement modalities in an in-vivo porcine wound model," Poster 147, page 86, 52nd NSRF Program Book. He found that coblation technology was superior to tangential hydrosurgery to remove bacterial biofilms in an animal model in 24 hour old wounds. His coauthors on this study were Joel Gil, Jose Valdez, Michael Solis, and Stephen Davis.

Summa Cum Laude Dermatology Honors Research Awarded

UTMB MS4 Lindsey Hunter was awarded Summa Cum Laude Dermatology Honors Research Honors for her Thesis, “Photoactivated Rose Bengal in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells—A Mutagen?," on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Her Honors Committee members were Drs. M. Wilkerson (Faculty Advisor), Simon Lewis, Brent Kelly and Richard Wagner. Congratulations to Lindsey for this rare academic level of achievement at UTMB!

Evaluating Procedural Dermatology Education During Residency

The March 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported the results of the 2009 survey by Lee et al (“Procedural dermatology training during dermatology residency: a survey of third-year dermatology residents” 64:475-483) that was reviewed in detail at the weekly UTMB dermatology journal club last week. One striking difference noted between the results of this survey and the UTMB dermatology resident experience was in the number of Mohs layers taken (Table II, page 478). 22% of survey respondents indicated that they took greater than 50 Mohs layers during residency, but at UTMB all of the PGY3 dermatology residents achieved that level of expertise during their Mohs rotation. The most recent composite data from the ACGME for the UTMB Class of 2010 (3 residents) showed that UTMB dermatology residents had performed, as the primary resident surgeon, 18 skin grafts (national average = 8), 39 flaps (national average = 19) and 97 Mohs cases (which may have more than one layer involved), with the national average for Mohs = 63. UTMB dermatology residents also reported more experience in fillers (14 vs 5) and neurotoxin (15 vs 9) as the primary resident surgeon.

UTMB MS4 Kenne Ogunmakin Schedules Thesis Defense

UTMB MS4 Kenne Ogunmakin has scheduled her Dermatology Research Honors Project Thesis presentation (“Co-morbid psychiatric dysfunction in patients with keloids using GHQ-12: a comparison to patients with psoriasis”) for Friday, May 6, 2011 at 3 pm in the dermatology conference room. Her faculty advisor was Dr. Erica Kelly, and her ad hoc thesis committee members are Drs. Simon Lewis, Sharon Raimer and Richard Wagner. It is the second dermatology research honors project scheduled for presentation this academic year. All are invited to attend!

UTMB Dermatology Clinic at Bay Colony (League City, TX) Now Has Excimer Laser

The UTMB Dermatology Clinic at Bay Colony in League City has announced that it now has the XTRAC® Excimer Laser, which is a new technology using UVB to treat psoriasis and vitiligo. Evaluation may be scheduled by calling 281-534-3376 for an appointment with a UTMB dermatologist.

UTMB MS4 Publishes Abstract

Congratulations to UTMB MS4 Kenne Ogunmakin, who published her dermatology research abstract entitled, “Co-morbid psychiatric dysfunction in patients with keloids using GHQ-12: a comparison to patients with psoriasis” (Poster 57, page 69) in the 52nd Annual National Student Research Forum program book. The meeting was held in Galveston on April 21st and 22nd, 2011. Ms. Ogunmakin discovered that subjects with keloids, a chronic skin disease related to abnormal scarring of the skin, reported similar life impact as subjects with psoriasis using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Her coauthor on this abstract was Dr. Erica Kelly, who is on the UTMB dermatology faculty. Ms. Ogunmakin will be starting her dermatology residency at Texas Tech in July 2012.

Dr. Gibson Interviews About Tanning

Dr. Bernard Gibson, dermatology faculty at UTMB, was interviewed by Channel 6 Television KRIS (Corpus Christi) for his views about tanning. You can see the interview at: http://us.cisionpoint.com/BouncingBallVideoPassThrough.aspx?locator=6-2B52CE5A26-A9ABF57-A56E377.
UTMB dermatology faculty Drs. Sharon Raimer and Gibson, along with UTMB dermatology residents, travel to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi every other month to consult on referred pediatric dermatology patients.

Dr. John Stephens Receives UTMB’s Best Resident Award

UTMB’s Graduate Medical Education Committee has recognized UTMB PGY4 dermatology resident, Dr. John Stephens, as the Outstanding Overall Resident for his dedication and excellence in service at UTMB during the 2010-2011 academic year. Last week, the UTMB DIG also recognized Dr. Stephens for his excellence in teaching dermatology to medical students.

Zombie Skin Explained

Author Dr. Steven Schlozman, a lecturer on the UTMB campus last fall, has published a novel entitled, "The Zombie Autopsies" (Grand Central Publishing, New York, 2011). Zombie CNS findings are the major focus of the book, however page 89 illustrates “…external infection and friable tissue along the skin…” of a zombie. Cultures are pending.

52nd Annual National Student Research Forum

The 52nd Annual National Student Research Forum will be held April 21-22, 2011 at UTMB in Galveston, TX.

UTMB DIG officer, Kenne Ogunmakin (MS-4), will present her research, "Co-morbid psychiatric dysfunction in patients with keloids using GHQ-12: A comparison to patients with Psoriasis" (#57).

Other dermatology projects to be presented include:

#25 Sophia Rangwala, Baylor College of Medicine: "Pralatrexate selectively induces apoptosis and synergizes with Bexarotene through up-regulation of p53/BAX/PUMA in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma cells."

#143 Zachary Pena, Creighton University School of Medicine: "ADAM12's role in the advancement of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma through cell migration and invasion."

#147 Aron Nusbaum, Medical University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: "Comparison of two novel debridement modalities in an in-vivo porcine wound model."

Please stop by Levin Hall to see these projects!

Who Should I Request Dermatology Letters of Recommendation From?

Dermatologists are in a small specialty, so many know one another professionally. As such, it is not very surprising that they may prefer to read letters of recommendations from dermatologists that they know and trust. That is why many dermatology applicants focus on obtaining three letters from dermatologists during the dermatology application process. A letter from the right person may resonate with the reader and result in an extra interview or two. Who should these letters be from?

Most applicants will request a letter from their home dermatology department chair or division chief. These dermatologists tend to be senior academic people that everyone knows. This is an important letter because it is expected. It often provides an overview about the applicant, and may even contain detailed observational content if there have been sufficient interactions in the clinic or other academic activities. If it is absent, it will likely be noticed, and may raise questions about why it is missing.

Who should provide the two other letters? If away rotations are taken, it may be possible to get a letter of recommendation from the chair/chief at away department/division. This may be especially helpful and open additional doors if the rotation is taken in another geographic location. The remaining letter should be from a dermatologist who knows you well. This is especially important if you are conducting a clinical or basic science research project. Your mentor’s letter will provide detailed insight into you, and your ability to participate in research.

What if your request for a letter is met with hesitation? This happens occasionally, and is usually due to insufficient interaction during the rotation. The writer knows that she may not have much information to contribute to the application and could anticipate that it may not be helpful. If this is the case, it is better to find another writer who knows you better and who is enthusiastic about your application to dermatology!

DIG Meeting Recap - 4/14/2011

At Thursday's DIG meeting we discussed a variety of topics, including:

Dermatology Match Results: UTMB had an outstanding dermatology match this year. 100% of dermatology applicants in the Class of 2011 matched! Congratulations, everyone!!

Dr. Audra Clos: UTMB

Melissa Efron: UT Houston

Auris Huen: University of Pennsylvania

Lindsey Hunter: UTMB

Rod Mahmoudizad: Texas A&M

Michaela Marek: UT San Antonio

Kehinde Ogunmakin: Texas Tech

Recent Community Outreach:
Galveston County Health Fair – Saturday, March 12, 2011
UTMB DIG volunteers reached out to over 140 members of the local community. We provided educational handouts on sun protection and skin cancer awareness, as well as the newest addition to our booth, poison ivy recognition and contact dermatitis. We also helped kids decorate sun visors, make UV bead bracelets, and color poison ivy drawings.

Upcoming Community Outreach:
To volunteer at any of the following events, email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu).

Houston Dermatological Society Skin Cancer Screening (Saturday, May 7, 2011)
Time: 10a.m. to 1p.m.
Locations: Stewart Road Family Medicine and University Dermatology at Bay Colony

Kids Day America (Saturday, May 14, 2011)
Time: Noon to 4p.m.
Location: Outdoors at Palmer HC, 2709 Palmer, Texas City, TX 77590

“Stay Shady!” Presentations to Galveston Elementary and Middle School Students
Participate in a fun, interactive 20-minute PowerPoint presentation that teaches local students about UV radiation, SPF values, sun protection tips and the harmful effects of sun damage as revealed through photographs of sunburns, moles, wrinkles and skin cancer. Dates and locations TBD. Email Rebecca Philips (rcphilip@utmb.edu) as soon as possible, if you are interested.

Contact Dermatitis Outreach:
Our contact dermatitis chair, Chelsea Altinger, has worked hard to develop tools to teach the public about poison ivy recognition and contact dermatitis. She created educational handouts and poison ivy coloring pages, which were a very popular addition to our booth at the Galveston County Health Fair in March. At the meeting, she presented a display that will be used at future health fairs to teach the public about the appearance of poison ivy. We look forward to expanding the focus of our contact dermatitis precautions next year. Watch for updates!

AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk: Have YOU signed up yet?!
Date: Saturday, May 7th; Registration at 8:00 AM; Walk begins at 8:30 AM
Location: UTMB Alumni Field House, 215 Holiday Dr., Galveston, TX 77555

To register and/or donate visit:

http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/aim-for-action/1158/1159/galveston-2011.html.
There is NO fee to register. Each participant is encouraged to raise at least $50.

Houston Dermatological Society Skin Cancer Screening Locations (to follow the walk):

1. Stewart Road Family Medicine, 6710 Stewart Road, Suite 100, Galveston, TX 77551

2. University Dermatology at Bay Colony, 2785 Gulf Freeway South, Suite 165, League City, TX 77573

Contact our AIM for a Cure Melanoma Walk Chairs, Kenne Ogunmakin (koogunma@utmb.edu) or Auris Huen (aohuen@utmb.edu), for more information.

UTMB DIG 2011-2012 Officer Elections: Congratulations to our new officers!

President: Rebecca Philips

Vice President: Chelsea Altinger

Community Outreach Chairs: André Pitt and Ryan Riahi

Aim for a Cure Melanoma Walk Chairs: Karan Patel and Donnie Warren

Contact Dermatitis Chair: Sheila Jalalat

Fundraising Chair: Ryan Riahi

Excision and Suturing Workshop: Thank you to the UTMB DIG dermatology faculty sponsor, Dr. Richard Wagner, and PGY-4 dermatology residents, Dr. Mika Yamazaki and Dr. John Stephens, for leading our first excision and suturing workshop! We look forward to another suturing workshop next year!

Upcoming Meetings

May 2011 - date TBA