The Department of Dermatology

University of Texas Medical Branch

 
 Message from the Chairman

 

Sharon S. Raimer, M.D.

The Department of Dermatology was established at the University of Texas Medical Branch in 1920. The objectives of the department are to provide excellent teaching for medical students, residents, and fellows in order to provide outstanding clinical care for the residents of Texas, model patient care, and the advancement of knowledge through scholarly activities.

Message from the Program Director

Richard F. Wagner, Jr., M.D., J.D.

Thank you for your interest in the Dermatology Residency Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston. We participate in ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service), and each applicant must apply through his or her school of graduation. Foreign medical graduates will need to contact the ECFMG at (215) 386-5900 or www.ECFMG.org. Our program is approved by the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Dermatology and the American Board of Dermatology for three years of training. Our primary objective is to produce well-trained, competent clinical dermatologists. However, the program has sufficient latitude to allow preparation for either private practice or an academic career. Besides the clinical research, in which all trainees participate, there are opportunities for basic research. Our training program utilizes the facilities of the UTMB Hospitals. 
We have an active conference schedule that is supplemented by participation in the monthly Houston Dermatological Society meeting. In addition, trainees are encouraged to participate in a variety of regional and national dermatology society meetings.
We accept two or three new residents each year. Trainees are selected by a Residency Selection Committee consisting of our faculty and resident staff. Selections are based on past academic performance, recommendations, and assessments by the committee members during a personal interview. Occasional past residents have been board certified in pathology, dermatopathology, or internal medicine. The UTMB Department of Pediatrics sponsors a combined 5-year residency in pediatrics and dermatology (one resident selected every other year).
Rankings are submitted by the applicant and the institution following the same schedule utilized by the National Residency Matching Program for PGY-1 training positions. Applicants match into both PGY-1 and PGY-2 positions at the same time. Although this option provides a distinct advantage for students applying for both PGY-1 and PGY-2 positions, it does not prevent us from accepting applicants for PGY-2 positions who have already completed their initial year of training.
We are now accepting applications for first-year dermatology residency training (PGY-2) that begins on July 1, 2010. Applications must be received by November 1, 2008 to be considered. Applicants who are selected for interview will be asked to visit Galveston in January 2009. A small number of applicants will be placed on the waiting list and contacted for an interview if it is possible. Invitations for January interviews are usually sent in December. Between 20 and 30 applicants are interviewed each year. Unfortunately, due to the large number of residency applications received, we are only able to interview between 5-10% of those who apply.

Sincerely,

Richard F. Wagner, Jr., M.D.
Residency Program Director
Department of Dermatology
The University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX 77555-0783
Phone: (409) 772-1911
Fax:  (409) 772-1943