Program Overview

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Introduction to the Johns Hopkins Dermatology Residency Program

The Johns Hopkins Dermatology Residency Program is designed to provide a comprehensive learning environment that fosters the development of professional, academic, clinical, and technical skills necessary for competent and compassionate patient care. The program combines patient care experience with didactic learning, enabling resident physicians to become masters of diagnosis, treatment, and basic understanding of the skin.

Program Overview

The goal of the program is to provide an in-depth understanding of all aspects of dermatology, including medical, surgical, cosmetic dermatology, and dermatopathology. Principles of diagnosis and treatment are taught progressively throughout the three years of training, with an emphasis on continuity of care.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Johns Hopkins Dermatology residency program is to provide comprehensive dermatologic training to all residents in all aspects of the field and its practice. The program aims to train future leaders in dermatology while fostering excellence in research, clinical care, and teaching. The culture of the program supports each resident in career development, personal growth, and lifelong learning.

Program Aims

The program has several key aims:

1. To provide trainees with an outstanding basic science, clinical, and procedural foundation in general and subspecialty dermatology.
2. To train residents to provide excellent and comprehensive dermatologic care to all patients, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status.
3. To expose residents to various stages of clinical and translational research during their time in residency.
4. To provide the tools, knowledge, connections, and background needed to promote trainees' career development.
5. To lead by example in the practice of medicine, promoting integrity, team building, leadership, respect, and collegiality.

Rotations

Residents rotate through several sites, including:

• The Levi Watkins, Jr, MD, Outpatient Center clinic
• Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center clinic
• Pediatric Dermatology division
• Greenspring Station Cosmetic Center clinic
• Surgery division
• Dermatopathology division
• Inpatient consultations
• Elective rotations

Resident Research

Current resident research focuses include:

• Basic, translational, and clinical research in artificial intelligence
• Laser technology for common skin diseases
• Systemic lupus and dermatomyositis
• Cutaneous lymphoma
• Teledermatology
• Skin microbiome
• Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers The Department offers a 2+2 combined clinical and research training track, providing mentored basic, translational, and/or clinical research training to develop future clinician-scientists in dermatology.

Application Process

The Department of Dermatology participates in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and the National Match. Applications should be completed in ERAS by October 21 for consideration.

Program Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Joel C. Sunshine, MD PhD MS, Assistant Professor of Dermatology
• Farah Succaria, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology
• Robert Smith, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this program accredited by the ACGME?: Yes, the program was visited and reaccredited by the ACGME in 2012.
• How many applications are received and generally accepted?: Between 550 and 600 applications are reviewed each year, with approximately 45 candidates invited for interviews.
• What is the process for application review?: The Department of Dermatology participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which provides the opportunity for both the Residency Training Program and applicants to consider all options in graduate medical education before making selection decisions.
• What are the minimum requirements?: Applicants must plan on completing an accredited PGY-1 training program in internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, or family practice, or a transitional internship for a minimum of one year, and must have passed Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
• Do you accept International Medical Graduates?: Yes, the Department of Dermatology considers this a component of its commitment to international education.