Overview

A dermatologist is trained to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia, hair and nails, as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. The dermatologist has had additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, melanomas, moles, and other tumors of the skin, the management of contact dermatitis, and other allergic and nonallergic skin disorders, and in the recognition of the skin manifestations of systemic (including internal malignancy) and infectious diseases. They also have expertise in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars, and the skin changes associated with aging. Dermatologists may specialize in dermatopathology and in the surgical techniques used in dermatology.

- Source: Edited from the American Board of Medical Specialties, Guide to Medical Specialties.

Residency Training Information

• Length: 4 years (preliminary or transitional year followed by three years of dermatology)
• Subspecialties: Dermatopathology
• Application: ERAS
• Match: NRMP

UW Residency Director - Dr. George Reizner

• 1 S Park St, 7th Floor
• 287-2636
• greizner@wisc.edu

Dermatology is one of the most, if not the most, competitive specialty. Since the 2000 match at UW, only students in the top sixth of their respective classes (AOA) have matched into dermatology. Nationally 26% of dermatology applicants remained unmatched in 2006; this percentage was second-highest unmatched rate among all specialties.

Dermatology's competitiveness is driven by a number of factors rooted in supply and demand. On the supply side, dermatology is a small specialty with only ~1% of the available match positions nationally. Dermatology remains popular among medical students because of its good hours, limited call, relatively high salary, and a blend of procedures and medicine. All of these factors boost its demand among medical students.

While high grades and board scores are often used by programs as preliminary screens for interview invites, their overall weight in the ranking process diminishes as the interview, letters of recommendation, and research experience, especially within the field, as given more credence as programs rank order lists are finalized.

Bottom line - demonstrated excellence across an array of measures (grades, boards, letters, research) is neccessary to ensure success in matching to a dermatololgy residency.

UWSMPH Match Data

Median GPA (+/- 1 SD, n): 3.81 (3.8 - 3.82, 3)
Median USMLE Step 1 (+/- 1 SD, n): 235 (228 - 242, 3)

Percent of Class Entering Speciality by Year:

2006	1.4%
2005	0.7%
2004	0.7%
2003	0.0%
2002	0.7%
2001	0.7%
2000	1.9%