Program Overview

Education

Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship

Fellowship Summary Description

The Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine is a 1-year program that provides comprehensive training in all aspects of caring for dermatologic surgery patients. The program includes inpatient and outpatient consultation, treatment of uncommon and rare tumors, skin cancer removal and treatment by multiple modalities, simple and advanced reconstruction, laser and aesthetic correction of scars and other skin problems, and multidisciplinary management of complex cases.

The program also includes extensive exposure to clinical research, particularly clinical trials and other patient-centered research. Fellows are mentored to develop research projects and provided additional formal training in research methods as well as staff support. The goal of the fellowship is to train and equip national leaders in academic dermatologic surgery.

Program Requirements

• The program meets the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) fellowship in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship.
• The fellowship year concurrently satisfies the requirements for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) fellowship in Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery.

Curriculum

• The program offers a robust didactic curriculum including journal club, multidisciplinary tumor board conferences, and faculty lectures.
• Fellows are encouraged to attend appropriate courses, including one focusing on anatomy/dissection, as well as annual meetings of the ASDS, ACMS, ASLMS, SID, and AAD.

Clinical Research

Clinical research is a major part of the fellowship experience. After fellows have matched, they are introduced to the research staff in the clinical research unit in dermatologic surgery. Through a succession of planning meetings attended by the fellow, faculty, and staff, several substantial research ideas are developed that are then spearheaded by the fellow. The fellow is provided staff support, necessary equipment and resources, formal training through coursework as appropriate, and the guidance of regular weekly research meetings with core faculty.

Meetings and Conferences

Fellows are encouraged to present abstracts, posters, and oral presentations at meetings of major national professional societies. They are supported to attend the annual meetings of the ASDS, ACMS, ASLMS, SID, AAD, as well as other national or international conferences that may be of interest.

Positions Offered

• Effective July 1, 2023, two positions will be offered each year.

Application Process

• Applicants will need to register with the Central Application System (CAS) on SF Match for Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology.
• In addition to the SF Match application, interested applicants should submit a personal statement of professional goals.
• In this one-page statement of professional goals, the applicant should explain their post-fellowship plans.
• Graduates of an ACGME-approved dermatology residency program interested in a career in academic dermatologic surgery are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Canadian applicants who have completed an equivalent program can be considered, but the program does not sponsor or support H1B visa applicants.

Eligibility

• Graduates of an ACGME-approved dermatology residency program are eligible to apply.
• Canadian applicants who have completed an equivalent program can be considered.

Program Details

• The program is 1 year in duration.
• The program provides comprehensive training in all aspects of caring for dermatologic surgery patients.
• The program includes extensive exposure to clinical research, particularly clinical trials and other patient-centered research.