University of Colorado Program

The Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) Fellowship at the University of Colorado is a one-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) that begins on July 1st of each academic year. This fellowship is focused on developing advanced skills in Mohs micrographic surgery and the management of complex cutaneous oncology patients at a tertiary medical center. The program has been operational for over 30 years, preparing fellows for academic, military, and private practice settings throughout the United States and internationally.

All applicants must submit their materials through the San Francisco Match (SF Match), with the program number being 3510. It is important to note that the institution does not interview or accept candidates who have not completed ACGME-accredited dermatology residencies. The program is set to participate in the 2025 SF Match cycle, with qualified applicants invited for Zoom interviews with both the fellowship director and the chair of the Dermatology department 1.

Curriculum and Training

The curriculum emphasizes extensive hands-on training, where fellows participate in approximately 1,500 Mohs cases per year, typically engaging in Mohs surgery five days a week. The focus is on the complete surgical and medical management of cutaneous neoplasms, alongside surgical reconstruction and multi-disciplinary patient care 1.

Unique Aspects

Fellows also have the opportunity to partake in the Transplant Dermatology Clinic, which occurs weekly at the transplant center, thus allowing exposure to a variety of complex dermatologic conditions. The program's design does not include a dedicated cosmetic or general dermatology portion, ensuring that fellows concentrate primarily on Mohs surgery and dermatologic oncology 1.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral part of the MSDO fellowship. Faculty and fellows engage in both translational and clinical research, including tumor banking. Each fellow is required to undertake at least one independent research project, and they are encouraged to pursue additional scholarly work throughout the year. Moreover, fellows must present an abstract at a national conference before completing their training, thus fostering the development of research skills 1.

Salary and Benefits

The MSDO fellowship is classified as a PGY-5 position, and salary, vacation, and benefits are governed by the University of Colorado's Graduate Medical Education Department. Additionally, fellows are allowed to moonlight at other clinics, although such hours will count toward the total allowed work hours per week 1.

Visa Support

The program offers visa support and typically sponsors J-1 and H-1B visas for qualified international medical graduates. It is advisable for prospective fellows to confirm specific sponsorship options during the application process.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology fellowship is regarded as highly competitive due to its robust curriculum and the strong reputation of the University of Colorado. Applicants should ideally be graduates of ACGME-accredited dermatology residency programs. There may be specific requirements concerning year of graduation and the number of failed exams on components like the STEP exams, which will be cited in detail during the application process 1.