The Department of Dermatology

University of Texas Medical Branch

 
 Message from the Chairman

 

Sharon S. Raimer, M.D.

Welcome to the UTMB Dermatology Webpage. The Department of Dermatology at UTMB was the first department of Dermatology in the state of Texas. We, therefore, have a long history of excellence in patient care, in the training of medical and allied health students and residents, and in the generation of new medical knowledge.

The Department of Dermatology presently has nine faculty members who are actively involved in patient care, offering expertise in general dermatology, which involves treatment of all diseases of the skin, hair, and nails; dermatologic surgery including Moh’s surgery for skin cancer; pediatric dermatology; cosmetic dermatology and Dermatopathology. Members of our department have a special interest and expertise in the treatment of skin cancers, moles, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis which is also known as eczema, collagen vascular diseases such as lupus and dermatomyositis and skin infections. Our department has pioneered the use of light treatments or phototherapy for the treatment of numerous skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and T-cell lymphomas. Narrow band UVB, PUVA, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are presently available.

Multiple cosmetic procedures are offered in our department including Fraxel laser used for improvement in the appearance of aging skin and for treatment of scars, intense pulsed light (IPL) for treatment of dilated blood vessels, brown spots and for hair removal, and laser removal of tattoos.  Chemical peels to help skin look younger and  healthier are also offered. Additional information on these and other procedures can be found on this website.

Faculty members have expertise in administering numerous injectables including Botox®, Restylane, Radiesse, Sculptra and Juvederm. Injections to remove unsightly spider veins are also offered.  Product lines including Skinceuticals,  Obagi, Skin Medica, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, and our  own line of Island Dermatologics are available for purchase in the department.

Our clinics are located on the main campus at UTMB, at the UTMB clinic located at 39th street and Avenue M in Galveston, in Texas City, League City, Clear Lake, Friendswood and Santa Fe. Directions and maps can be found on this website.

We also invite you to visit our web pages to find information on our dermatology residency and Dermatopathology fellowship programs and for a description of dermatology elective courses offered to medical students. A list of current studies in which you might be interested in participating is also found.

Thank you for visiting the UTMB Dermatology website.

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.