University of Florida Program

The UF Department of Dermatology offers a one-year ACGME-accredited Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship (MSDO) aimed at training skilled Mohs and dermatologic surgeons. The mission of the program is to advance the field of dermatologic oncology and Mohs surgery while addressing the health needs of the Northern Florida patient population 1.

Aims and Educational Objectives

The program is designed with several core aims:

• To cultivate a Mohs surgeon capable of offering high-quality Mohs micrographic and other dermatologic surgery services.
• To encourage participation in scholarly activities at both local and national levels to enhance the fields of dermatologic oncology and Mohs surgery.
• To train dermatologists in advanced techniques of dermatologic surgery and prepare them to teach and guide future dermatology residents and MSDO trainees.

This training involves hands-on experience across various outpatient clinical sites managed by the University of Florida and the Malcom Randall VA dermatology clinic, which facilitates comprehensive training in clinical practice 1.

Conference Participation

The program encourages active involvement in numerous conferences which include:

• MSDO Journal Club
• Cutaneous Tumor Board
• Quality Assurance Reviews
• MSDO Board Review
• Defect Rounds
• Grand Rounds
• Morbidity & Mortality meetings

These conferences foster a collaborative learning environment and promote continuous education and patient care improvements 1.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a significant role in the MSDO Fellowship. Fellows are expected to engage in:

• At least one IRB-approved clinical research project relevant to dermatologic surgery in collaboration with the program director, with the aim of publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• A quality improvement project relevant to dermatologic surgery.
• Conducting at least three lectures on dermatologic surgery to residents and submitting an abstract for a national or state meeting prior to completion of training.

These requirements ensure that fellows are well-prepared to contribute to the advancement of dermatologic surgery practices 1.

Application Requirements

Potential candidates must meet specific application criteria, including:

• Passing USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3.
• Having completed ACGME-accredited dermatology training and being board-eligible or certified before the start of the fellowship.

The application and matching process is conducted via the SF Match system, and potential applicants should register for the next available position starting June 2024 for the 2025-26 academic year 1.

Salary and Benefits

The fellow’s salary and benefits are equivalent to the PGY-5 level at the University of Florida, providing a competitive compensation package while promoting intense training 1.

Visa Sponsorship

The program supports J1 visas for international medical graduates (IMGs), but does not sponsor H1B visas. This is an essential consideration for potential international candidates seeking to apply 2.

Competitiveness of the Program

The Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship is highly competitive. Strong USMLE scores and relevant clinical experience can significantly enhance the application, particularly for international medical graduates 2.