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Dermatology Residency

The three-year residency program in dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine provides experience in outpatient and inpatient settings. 

Residents train in general dermatology, complex medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, dermatologic oncology, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology, dermatopharmacology, immunodermatology, phototherapy, Mohs micrographic surgery and laser and cosmetic procedures.

Specialty clinics allow exposure to challenging cases. Residents are encouraged to participate in and design laboratory investigation or clinical outcomes research that can be successfully completed during the three years of residency.

Throughout clinical training, residents rotate through several sites. The Northwestern Medical Group clinics are currently the home base for residents and the site of most of the didactic conferences. Residents also rotate through the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.

MEET OUR RESIDENTS

 Curriculum

The department encourages residents to acquire additional experience in dermatological subspecialties or research after completing the residency program. A major focus of the department is to train future leaders in dermatology. Other program highlights include:

  • Broad training in pediatric, adult, and procedural dermatology
  • Exposure to specialty clinics
  • Continuity clinic during all three years of training
  • Elective opportunities (second and third year)
  • Attendance and participation at national meetings

See the sample schedule for a sample breakdown of how a resident's time may be spent.

First Year

First-year residents gain experience in general medical dermatology and dermatologic surgery in the outpatient dermatology clinics. Residents also spend one month rotating through dermatopathology, where more than 40,000 biopsies per year are reviewed with the faculty dermatopathologists. Each resident is also assigned to a dermatology continuity clinic that will continue throughout the three years of training.

Second Year

Second-year residents gain experience in pediatric dermatology and inpatient dermatology as well as continuing their training in general medical dermatology and dermatologic surgery.

Third Year

During the third year, residents continue their instruction in both the inpatient and outpatient settings, assuming greater responsibility for patient care.

 Research

All residents are highly encouraged to develop a well-defined basic or clinical research project throughout the three years of training under the mentorship of an assigned faculty mentor. Annual resident research conferences showcase work and offer opportunities for feedback. The residents are expected to present their work at regional and national meetings and submit their studies for publication.

Research Track (2+2)

In addition to the standard residency program, an academic track program consisting of two clinical years paired with two years of research fellowship may be arranged after the first year of residency.

 Seminars & Conferences

An active teaching program involves at least daily didactic sessions for residents. These include Grand Rounds, basic science seminars, surgical and cosmetic didactic units, bench-to-bedside talks, digital slide conferences, hospital rounds and journal club sessions.

Additional programs include:

  • Monthly visiting professorship program: Offers exposure to instructors from other institutions through morning grand rounds and morning sessions
  • Half-day resident seminars: Topics such as cutaneous oncology, mycology, immunobiology, inflammatory skin disorders and autoimmune disorders
  • Monthly Chicago Dermatological Society meetings: Encourages involvement with the broader field as well as the opportunity for Northwestern residents to host a meeting annually.

 How to Apply

Applicants must complete one year of graduate clinical education as a PGY-1 before entering the program.

Five positions are offered each year for the dermatology program. First-year dermatology positions (PGY-2) are selected through the National Resident Matching Program. Residency interviews take place during the months of December and January. Three letters of recommendation are required. Selected candidates are invited for interviews. Final selection of residents is made by the dermatology faculty. The application deadline is Oct. 1.

Applications should be submitted exclusively through the Electronic Residency Application Service. Applicants selected to interview will be notified by early December.

 Resources

Following are additional resources related to the residency interview process.

 Why Northwestern?

Millennium Park in ChicagoHousestaff training through McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University provides diverse and challenging clinical experiences and world-class education located in the heart of the beautiful city of Chicago. Learn more via the links to the McGaw website below.

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Contact Us

Program Coordinator

Lisa Glatz
676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60611
312-695-7932
dermresidency@nm.org

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

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