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Dermatology Residency

The Department of Dermatology at SSM Health/Saint Louis University offers four residency-training positions each year in its Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited program.

Group picture of SLU dermatology residents
Saint Louis University Department of Dermatology Residents.

About the Program

The three-year residency is supervised by 12 faculty members and provides outstanding clinical training in:

  • Medical dermatology
  • Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology
  • Cosmetic dermatology, including injectable fillers and laser therapy, sclerotherapy and aesthetician services
  • Dermatopathology
  • Pediatric dermatology
  • Phototherapy
  • Contact dermatitis and patch-testing
  • Consultative dermatology at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Curriculum Overview

Residents participate in daily morning conference in one or more of the following areas:

Weekly Monthly/Other
 
Dermatology Textbook Review Dermatopathology Unknown Slide Conference
Weedon Skin Pathology Textbook Review Multidisciplinary Melanoma and Other Skin Tumors Group Conference
Morphology (Kodachromes) Grand Rounds (Bi-monthly)
Spitz/Peds Derm Conference Journal Clubs (Dermatologic, Cosmetic Derm, Pediatric Derm)
Faculty Areas of Interest Lectures Quality Improvement, Patient Safety, and Health Care Disparities Curriculum
Basic Science Curriculum Board Review Sessions
  Dermatologic Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Curriculum
  Cosmetic Injectable and Laser Hands-on Sessions
  Resident-led Hospital Rounds
  Nail Cadaver Lab
  Mohs Teaching Cases

Outside Conferences and Courses

Residents have the opportunity to attend the following national meetings, some based on level of training. These are some examples, but not necessarily all-inclusive:

Elective Opportunities

The resident incentive program allows second- and third- year residents in good standing to experience educational opportunities beyond the typical department-sponsored activities. This includes attendance at an industry-sponsored conference or away elective time pending faculty and GME-office approval.

Additionally, the GME office at Saint Louis University provides support for a limited number of away electives for resident training. These rotations are intended to enrich the educational experience of a resident and the residency-training program; expand SLU visibility in the community and internationally; and create unique opportunities for residents to provide care to the underserved.

Wellness Initiatives 

The GME Wellness Program is a part of a larger effort by the School of Medicine to create a more positive culture and learning environment. The program is led by a steering committee in addition to a core group of faculty and residents designated as "Wellness Champions.” These individuals help our institution support a multi-component approach to wellness for the benefit of all graduate medical trainees and programs. Resources and opportunities to enhance and support wellness include:

  • Funding at the department-level for planning activities and events, which support resident and fellow wellness. These resources are managed by the "Wellness Champion(s)" and are given annually for the benefit of all graduate medical trainees. Examples of previous Resident and Fellow wellness activities supported by the Department of Dermatology include: Indoor rock climbing, a night at Top Golf, bowling, picnics, etc.
  • The Office of Professional Oversight is a central point of contact and support for those medical students, residents, faculty and staff experiencing and/or witnessing any type of unprofessional behavior and/or mistreatment in the learning environment. 
  • The University Health Plan (UHP) Behavioral Health Program provides trainees access to confidential, professional behavioral health services at no out-of-pocket cost. Saint Louis University is concerned about the well-being and success of its medical trainees and recognizes you may encounter an array of issues and challenges throughout your life. The program covers up to six sessions with no requirement of a mental health diagnosis, which means UHP members can receive consultation for any problem or life event that may be causing distress or enhance their personal wellness. 

Rotation Schedule

Residents participate in one of the following month-long rotations. Amount varies based on their year of training. Residents receive exposure to all areas including sub-specialties starting in their first year:

  • General dermatology clinics
  • Mohs dermatologic surgery clinic
  • Cosmetic dermatology
  • Dermatopathology
  • Consultation Service at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon
  • Children's Hospital/Pediatric dermatology

To provide experience in continuity of care, residents follow their patients in Resident Continuity Clinic throughout their three years of training. Residents have their own schedules, which they manage with resident-clinic faculty guidance. Third-year residents also have weekly Senior Resident Clinic on Tuesday mornings. Resident Surgery Clinics are scheduled two to three times each month.

Specialty Clinics

Residents have exposure to the following subspecialty clinics/services led by various Faculty:

  • Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic in conjunction with Hematology-Oncology
  • Women's Health and Genital Dermatology Clinic
  • Contact Dermatitis and Patch Testing
  • Multidisciplinary Dermatology-Rheumatology Clinic
  • Senior Resident Injection Clinics
  • Hair Loss Clinic

Call Schedule

All call is taken from home. First- and second-year residents rotate on-call duties on a weekly basis. The third-year residents act as backup call during the entire year and also rotate duties on a weekly basis.

Vacation Schedule

Three weeks (15 vacation days) per year to be taken as two, one-week blocks and one week that can be split up.

Textbooks and Tools

The following textbooks and tools are provided at no cost to incoming dermatology residents:

  • Dermatology: Two-volume set (Bolognia)
  • Weedon’s Skin Pathology
  • Dermatoscope

Research

Residents are required to participate in clinical research during their three-year residency and are expected to complete (Institutional Review Board) IRB and Conflict of Interest training upon entry into the program. Opportunities for studies include drug company sponsored studies within the department, which are coordinated by the clinical study coordinator and the clinical research fellows. Investigator-initiated studies are also encouraged. Statistics assistance is provided.

An IRB-approved end-of-the-year academic project is required of all second-year residents. Third-year residents are required to complete a quality improvement or patient safety project. First-year residents pair up with a second and third-year resident to collaborate on their academic projects. This will allow the first-year resident to become familiar with the processes necessary to successfully complete a project. Each resident works with a faculty mentor on these academic projects, which are presented at the annual Research Symposium/Graduate Achievement Day in June.