The UTMB Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) Fellowship
Program accepts one new trainee each year for a one-year fellowship. The
program is fully accredited by the ACGME and is administered by the
Department of Dermatology. Trainees attend conferences, act as
consultants for residents and faculty and participate in the teaching of
procedural dermatology to dermatology and plastic surgery residents.
Fellows acquire special competence in this sub specialty in order
to pursue a career in academia or private practice. Supervision is
conducted by the faculty in charge of each of the rotations the fellow
undertakes. Formal rotational evaluations of the progress of the fellow
is performed every three months during the fellowship and the MSDO Clinical Competency Committee also reviews the fellow’s
progress biannually in December in and in June.
The main focus of the fellowship is skin cancer diagnosis and
management, with emphasis on Mohs micrographic surgery and wound
reconstruction. The fellow rotates with four UTMB Mohs faculty, Dr.
Richard Wagner (fellowship director) in Galveston, Dr. David Raimer
(private practice, Webster, TX), Dr. Frank Winsett in League City, and Dr. Leon Chen - (private practice, Houston, TX). The fellow must participate in a minimum of 500 Mohs cases
throughout the year and 500 reconstructions. The fellow also
rotates on the UTMB Cosmetic Dermatology Service with Dr. Erica Kelly
(lasers, fillers, neurotoxins), throughout the year. The fellow also
trains students and residents in procedural dermatology, presents
interesting cases at conferences, and participates in Head/Neck Tumor Board and gives the faculty input into the selection of the next
fellow.
Applicants must have a valid, unrestricted Texas medical license
in order to be considered for interview and must have completed or be in
the process of completing a 3 year ACGME residency in dermatology. The
fellowship officially starts on July 1st of each year without
exception. In addition, all Step scores are required as well as three standardized letters from their dermatology program director, director of Mohs surgery, and department Chair. UTMB participates in the San Francisco Match. UTMB does
not permit outside residents from other institutions to rotate in the
department. Complete
applications must be received by the San Francisco Match by July 15th. Selected applicants will be interviewed.
No moonlighting is permitted during this year long fellowship
program. During the fellowship year, the fellow is required to complete
at least one clinical research project that is approved by Dr. Wagner.
In addition, the fellow is required to complete one quality
improvement project related to Mohs surgery. Fellows will be assigned one general dermatology clinic each Friday afternoon as paid faculty and to provide continuity for Mohs patients. More detailed information can be found in the Fellowship Handbook (PDF).
For more information about our fellowship program and an
application please contact Sarah Zarazua at (409) 772-1912 or you may email her.