Division of Dermatologic Surgery Department of Dermatology
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 1-330S
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
Philadelphia, PA 19104
P: 215-360-0909
F: 215-662-4132

Mission Statement of Procedural Dermatology Fellowship

The mission of the Procedural Dermatology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is to train fellows to the highest standards in Procedural Dermatology. We aim to mentor fellows to develop a lifelong professional commitment to advance our specialty through academic productivity (e.g., lectures, publishing, teaching) and leadership roles.

The Fellowship Experience

The Procedural Dermatology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a rewarding, but physically, emotionally, and intellectually demanding yearlong experience. Fellows who display a consistently diligent work ethic, maintain a habit of independent study, and contribute eagerly to the dermatologic surgery team will graduate with the skills to practice dermatologic surgery independently and to the highest possible standard.

The fellowship has an especially strong focus on cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery. Our goal is to prepare fellows to manage the most complex tumors, to perform complex reconstructive surgery, and to organize multidisciplinary care, when necessary. Although fellows will gain knowledge and experience in cosmetic procedures, applicants whose primary interest lies in cosmetic surgery should not apply to this program.

The fellow gains expertise in the following three areas:

  • Cutaneous oncologic surgery, including the medical, surgical, and dermatopathological knowledge of cutaneous neoplasms. Special emphasis is placed on Mohs micrographic surgery to treat cutaneous neoplasms.  Fellows gain exposure to a high volume of high-risk tumors and complex Mohs cases.
  • Cutaneous reconstructive surgery, including the repair of defects after surgical removal of cutaneous neoplasms and scar revision. The fellow gains requisite knowledge and expertise in cutaneous anatomy, wound healing, and cutaneous repair techniques. Fellows gain experience in a high volume of cases with complex reconstructions, as our unit repairs the majority of tumors we excise.
  • Cutaneous cosmetic surgery, including the medical, surgical, and dermatopathologic knowledge of cutaneous disorders and the aging of the skin. The fellow gains knowledge and expertise in procedures that improve the appearance of the skin and control cutaneous disease.

ACGME Accreditation

The Procedural Dermatology Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The fellowship meets the requirements and complies with the guidelines of the ACGME.

Service Excellence

The fellowship places a strong emphasis on service excellence and respect for all people. We seek accomplished applicants who demonstrate humility, selflessness, and a sense of thanks for the privilege to help patients who trust us with their care.

Requirements for Scholarly Activity

The fellow has the following scholarly requirements:

    • Research:
      • At least one clinical research project requiring IRB approval with the program director as the mentor is mandatory.
      • Additional research is encouraged.
    • Publication: The fellow is expected to submit at least one paper with the program director for publication in a peer-reviewed journal before completion of their training.
    • Didactics for Residents: The fellow is expected to present a lecture to the dermatology residents at least twice a year on a dermatologic surgery topic.
    • Didactics for Derm Surgery Support Staff: The fellow is expected to present lectures to the Mohs surgery support staff at least twice yearly on a topic of the fellow’s choosing.
    • Quality Improvement project: The fellow is expected to initiate at least one quality improvement project within the Mohs unit before completion of their training
    • National Presentation: The fellow is expected to submit an abstract for a national or state meeting prior to the completion of their training.

Regular Education Opportunities

The following various regular education opportunities enable the fellow to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to practice procedural dermatology independently:

  • Regular interaction with patients under the guidance and supervision of faculty members who give value, context, and meaning to those interactions. Fellows assume graded and progressive responsibility in patient care, according to demonstrated knowledge, skills, and competencies.
  • Weekly reading curriculum.
  • Weekly didactic sessions to supplement the reading curriculum. These didactic sessions will include lectures or discussions that provide a context for the reading curriculum and highlight important learning objectives.
  • Regularly scheduled multidisciplinary cutaneous oncology tumor board and Center for Human Appearance meetings.
  • Regular interaction with rotating residents from other surgical subspecialties, who provide the fellow with a valuable perspective necessary for collaboration in multidisciplinary patient care.
  • Formal education to set up and operate a Mohs frozen section laboratory, as well as nearly daily interactions that provide education in the supervision and training of histotechnicians.
  • Regular opportunities to teach rotating residents and medical students and dermatologic surgery support staff.
  • Attendance at the Annual Meetings of the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
  • Scheduled rotations with other surgical subspecialties for exposure to procedures which are not routinely performed in the dermatologic surgery unit.

Evaluation process

A rigorous evaluation process helps the fellow to assess his or skills and to identify areas for improvement as early as possible. Supervising faculty routinely provide the fellow with informal feedback based on immediate observation of the fellow’s performance. Fellows also benefit from regularly scheduled, documented formal evaluations, which they can access for review. Fellows receive the following formal evaluations:

  • Procedural Dermatology Fellow Competency Evaluation by the program director. This evaluation tool provides an objective assessment of competence in patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practices. The competency evaluations help to identify and address deficiencies in the fellow’s skills or training. This formal evaluation occurs at least four times per year (baseline at end of July, then at the end of each third of the academic year [i.e., in October, February, June]).
  • Semiannual formal evaluation from multiple evaluators (faculty, professional staff, and self)
  • Patient evaluations
  • American Board of Dermatology Evaluation of Graduate Trainee for Procedural Dermatology Fellowship Training

Position

The fellow will sign a one year House Officer Agreement for the position. The usual house-staff benefits will be provided. Further details can be provided on request.

Application process

Application and selection process through the SF Match

215-662-6534
SF match website.

Application Documents:

  • The Application for Procedural Dermatology Fellowship available through San Francisco Match CAS.
  • At least three letters of recommendation including letters from your residency program director and the director of dermatologic surgery at your institution.
  • Medical school transcript and Dean’s letter.
  • Current Curriculum Vitae.
  • Copies of any board certifications and provision of the board scores requested on the application.
  • A personal statement.
  • An e-mail address which the applicant checks regularly.

Interview Process

Applications are reviewed once they are complete. Qualifying candidates will be invited for an on-site interview. Invited candidates should plan on spending the entire day. The candidate will have the opportunity to observe surgery, to see the facility, and to meet with the faculty and support staff members.

Contact Information

Brandi Eldridge
Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Dermatology
Division of Dermatologic Surgery
P: 215-662-4863
F: 215-220-9556
E: Brandia@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Christopher J. Miller, MD
Director of Dermatologic Surgery
Director of Procedural Dermatology Fellowship
Division of Dermatologic Surgery
Department of Dermatology
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 1-330S
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
Philadelphia, PA 19104
P: 215-360-0909
F: 215-662-4132
E: Christopher.Miller2@pennmedicine.upenn.edu