University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals Program

The University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals Program provides a specialized fellowship in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology, specifically focused on equipping fellows with advanced skills in Mohs micrographic surgery and skin cancer management. The program is a one-year fellowship designed for only one new trainee annually and is fully accredited by the ACGME, ensuring a high standard of clinical education and training.

Fellows are integrated into the Department of Dermatology, where they have opportunities to attend various clinical conferences, participate in teaching sessions for dermatology and plastic surgery residents, and act as consultants for both residents and faculty. Such a comprehensive involvement offers a valuable hands-on experience in the field of dermatologic oncology.

Curriculum and Rotations

The core focus of the fellowship revolves around the diagnosis and management of skin cancer, emphasizing Mohs micrographic surgery and subsequent wound reconstruction. Throughout their training, fellows rotate with distinguished Mohs faculty, including the fellowship director. This includes significant collaboration with leaders in the field such as Dr. Richard Wagner and Dr. Frank Winsett, allowing fellows to gain diverse insights and techniques essential for surgical proficiency.

During the fellowship, each fellow is required to perform a minimum of 500 Mohs cases and 500 reconstructions, thus ensuring they are thoroughly prepared for independent practice. In addition to Mohs surgery, fellows rotate through the Cosmetic Dermatology Service and gain exposure to advanced procedures utilizing lasers, fillers, and neurotoxins, supervised by faculty such as Dr. Erica Kelly.

Research Opportunities

Research is an integral component of the fellowship experience. Each fellow must complete at least one clinical research project, subject to the approval of the fellowship director, in addition to a quality improvement project focused on enhancing practices related to Mohs surgery. This element reinforces the program's commitment to advancing dermatological science and outcomes.

Assessment and Evaluation

Formal evaluations of the fellow's progress are conducted every three months, accompanied by a biannual review from the MSDO Clinical Competency Committee. Such structured assessments ensure that fellows regularly receive constructive feedback, promoting continual learning and skill enhancement throughout the fellowship year.

Application Requirements

Applicants must hold a valid, unrestricted Texas medical license to be eligible for consideration. Moreover, they should have either completed or be near completing a 3-year ACGME-accredited residency in dermatology. All candidates are required to submit their Step scores, along with three standardized letters of recommendation from their dermatology program director, the director of Mohs surgery, and the department chair.

The fellowship begins on July 1st each year, and applications must be submitted through the San Francisco Match system by July 15th. It is important to note that moonlighting is not permitted during the fellowship to ensure full commitment to the training.

Visa Sponsorship

The program accommodates international applicants and provides visa sponsorship, ensuring that the fellowship is accessible to a diverse array of candidates. Specifically, the program is capable of sponsoring J-1 visas for international medical graduates seeking to further their training.

Competitiveness

The University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals Program is known to be highly competitive. While it does seek candidates with strong academic backgrounds, the program is considered friendly to both Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) graduates and International Medical Graduates (IMGs), fostering an inclusive training environment.