University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine/Moffitt Cancer Center Program

The Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida (USF) Dermatopathology Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-accredited training program designed for individuals who have completed a residency either in pathology or dermatology. The fellowship combines a strong clinical experience with the potential for research opportunities, structured to produce skilled dermatopathologists equipped to handle neoplastic and inflammatory skin diseases.

Program Overview

Established in 2004, the fellowship program leverages the collaborative environment of Moffitt Cancer Center and the USF Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, along with the USF Department of Pathology and Cell Biology. It is tailored to immerse fellows in comprehensive clinical dermatopathology while fostering skills in research and education. The fellowship includes exposure to a high volume of complex cases, specifically targeting diseases like melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous sarcomas, and cutaneous lymphomas.

Curriculum and Training Sites

The primary training site is the Moffitt Cancer Center, which manages a patient population that includes about 1,500 melanoma patients annually alongside others with various skin malignancies. The fellow will also rotate through the USF Dermatopathology Laboratory, responsible for interpreting around 15,000 biopsies each year, and will get experience at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital where approximately 8,000 cases are analyzed annually.

Fellows are expected to conduct clinical sign-outs under the guidance of faculty, participate in multidisciplinary conferences, and engage in didactic teaching, enhancing both their diagnostic acumen and their ability to transmit knowledge effectively. After the initial four months of full-time dermatopathology, a customized rotation will allow dermatology-trained fellows to split their time between dermatopathology and surgical pathology, while pathology-trained fellows will divide their remaining time between dermatopathology and clinical dermatology.

Research Training

The fellowship encourages research customized to align with each fellow's career aspirations, whether it be case series, review manuscripts, or laboratory investigations. Fellows will also be supported in presenting at national conferences and publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals, which is essential to their development as independent clinicians and researchers.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is open to physicians who have completed a three-year residency in dermatology or a three- or four-year residency in anatomic pathology. Applicants must be board-eligible and demonstrate a commitment to the clinical, educational, and research components of dermatopathology.

Application Process

Applicants should prepare a completed application form, updated CV, and three letters of reference, one of which must be from their residency program director. Applications should be submitted at least 24 months prior to the anticipated start date. The program accepts one fellow per cycle, presenting a highly competitive selection process given the limited positions available.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program does not state any specific visa sponsorship options, which is an essential consideration for international applicants. However, it is noted that the fellowship is highly competitive, particularly for candidates with strong backgrounds in either dermatology or pathology. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to showcase a strong academic record alongside relevant experiences in dermatopathology.

Unique Features

The fellowship prides itself on creating an inclusive, respectful, and professional environment that promotes learning and prepares fellows for independent practice. This atmosphere is bolstered by the exposure to diverse clinical cases and ongoing mentorship by experienced faculty.