Didactic Program

The residents have protected time for 4 hours each Wednesday afternoon for didactics sessions which include book reviews, faculty lectures, guest faculty lectures, dermatopathology sessions and a surgical lecture series.

Journal Club Series

Once monthly during didactics, a faculty member reviews with the residents key journal articles from one or more core journals including Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, JAMA Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. Four times per year, the residents have Pediatric Dermatology Journal Club at NCH.

Cosmetics Workshops

Quarterly, our faculty who perform cosmetic procedures lead a 4 hour hands-on workshop on administering botulinum toxin, fillers, sclerotherapy and operating a variety of lasers.

We have continued to increase our cosmetic offerings. One of our faculty, Dr. Desmond Shipp, has completed an ASDS cosmetic surgery fellowship and has training in wrinkles and fold, rejuvenation, resurfacing, veins, body contouring, lifting, hair treatments and scar revision.

Grand Rounds

Nine times yearly, the residents present an average of 6 challenging patient cases with live patient viewing and invite either internal or external faculty to lecture on key topics in dermatology.

Clinical Experience

The residents enjoy a wide variety of clinical experiences during their 3 years at Ohio State.

• Mohs Surgery with Dr. Carr and Dr. Pootrakul
• Dermatopathology sessions with Dr. Chung and Dr. Plaza
• Dermatologic surgery (VA, Resident Surgery Clinic, Nationwide Children’s)
• Veteran’s Administration Medical Dermatology Clinic
• Pediatric Dermatology
• HIV Dermatology
• Complex Medical Dermatology
• Psoriasis Clinic
• Rheumatologic Dermatology Clinic
• Hair Clinic
• Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Atypical Wound Clinic
• Corrections Clinic
• Physician’s Free Clinic
• Laser clinic (KTP, Excimer laser, Nationwide Children’s)
• Dermatologic Oncology including Pigmented Lesions Clinic
• Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic
• TCA Peel Clinic
• Inpatient Dermatology Follow-up
• Contact Dermatitis/Patch Testing
• Vulvar Dermatology Clinic

Expanded Clinical Experience

In addition to their core training, the residents have the opportunity to do elective rotations outside the medical center, and they can also set up selective clinics with Facial Plastic Surgery, Wound Clinic, Rheumatology, Scleroderma and Lymphedema Clinic.

Research

Residents are required to complete three scholarly projects in conjunction with a dermatology faculty member during their residency training which can include case reports, case series, reviews, book chapters or original research. For interested residents, we have abundant opportunities to work with medical and surgical dermatology faculty on more robust projects such as prospective studies and clinical trials.

Accredited Fellowships

• Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO)
• Dermatopathology
• Pediatric Dermatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

For programs utilizing the ERAS supplemental application, because this includes preference signaling, applicants are asked to refrain from contacting those programs to express interest or provide application updates prior to interviews, except in truly exceptional circumstances.

Post-interview, applicants do not need to send thank you notes to programs at which they have interviewed. While some applicants choose to send a “letter of intent” to their program of choice, this is unnecessary. Applicants should not feel pressure to send such a message, and should not be viewed as “uninterested” if they do not send a message.

Programs are encouraged to either avoid direct communication with applicants post-interview, or at a minimum, ensure that such communication is informational in nature, avoiding efforts to persuade or pressure candidates, in line with NRMP guidelines. Applicants should not equate lack of communication from programs with lack of interest.

For the 2023-2024 residency application cycle, a number of dermatology residency programs will be participating in coordinated interview invite release. Participating programs will not release more interview invites than interview slots available. Programs not participating have also been asked to do the same, and have been asked to post the date of interview invite release on their websites when possible.

Timeline for participating programs only

Coordinated Release Date 2023

Monday November 6, 2023: first round of interview invites released (for programs with November or early December interview dates)

Additional interview invites will be released as/if they become available.

There is no standardized virtual or in-person interview format for dermatology. Programs will use a variety of webconferencing platforms (when virtual), formats, and interview questions. These may include breakout rooms, personal meeting rooms and/or panel interviews. Timing of interviews (schedule and interview length) will also vary by program, but in general dermatology programs hold multiple brief interviews for each candidate (10-20 minutes). There is no coordination among programs with regards to types of interview questions (e.g. structured, behavioral, open-ended etc).

Additional activities, such as social activities, tours, and/or meet-and-greets with residents will be scheduled by programs and may occur on the date of interview or at other times throughout the interview season. Information regarding logistics and formatting of interviews and other recruitment activities will be provided by each program at or near the time of interview invite.

Dress code: Dress professionally, but also comfortably. Historically, the majority of applicants have worn suits, but other professional attire is acceptable. We encourage applicants to consider other elements of their visual appearance (hairstyle, make-up, etc) to be consistent with what they would typically wear in clinic or other similar professional settings. Most importantly, you should feel like yourself on the day of the interview.

Backgrounds for virtual interviews: We recommend that applicants set up their computer/tablet and camera in an area that is well-lit with a fairly non-descript background (like a solid wall). Alternatively, a solid light-colored sheet can be draped behind your set-up. If you feel more comfortable using your school’s standard virtual background or a simple virtual background, please do so, but recognize that virtual backgrounds can occasionally be distracting with movement. If a program would like you to use a specific background, it will specified in the interview invite.

Equipment for virtual interviews: We do not recommend that applicants purchase additional equipment for virtual interviews (such as lighting). There are simple inexpensive ways to set up your workstation to maximize light in the room, so do not feel obligated to purchase additional lighting. Please see included resources for tips on how to set up your computer or tablet and webcam for optimal lighting and placement. Using a phone is not recommended, but could be done if needed. Ensure that you have stable internet access during the virtual interviews, and inquire with your medical school or home dermatology program if you need a private space with reliable internet access to participate in interviews as many will be able to help.

Technical issues for virtual interviews: We recommend that programs have interviewee phone numbers available so that if there is a connection issue on either end, the virtual interview can be conducted by phone either with or without the video component. Please ensure that you have provided an up-to-date phone number. Additionally, should you be concerned about aspects of the interview day with respect to technical or other anticipated issues, please reach out in advance to program coordinator(s).

Additional tips (adapted from Dr. Ginette Okoye):

• Ensure your computer or tablet is fully charged prior to your interviews.
• Download the application to be used ahead of time and practice logging in (if possible) to avoid technical difficulties at the time of interview.
• Camera should be at eye level; use books or other props as needed.
• If possible, use an external microphone or headphones/earbuds, but this is not strictly necessary.
• Find a quiet space indoors where you will not be interrupted. As mentioned above, reach out to your home program or medical school if you need a space to participate in interviews.
• If you use a virtual background (your school’s, for example), make sure it is formatted well so the image is not distorted. Alternatively, use a blank neutral-colored wall or a solid neutral-colored sheet draped as a backdrop. Be mindful about what is showing on the screen behind or around you as it can be distracting and elicit additional questions.
• If possible, position your set up so that the lighting is in front of you and not behind you (makes your image darker).
• Get fully dressed for the interview as you would for an in-person interview, but ensure you are also comfortable.
• Do not have food or drink visible, but make sure to sip water before and in between interviews.
• Look at the camera as much as possible, rather than the screen, to simulate “eye contact” with the interviewer. Consider posting a photo of a family member or friend behind your camera at eye-level so that you can focus on that to simulate eye contact.
• Practice being still during your interviews, while maintaining good posture.
• Turn off your phone or put on “do not disturb.” Move your phone out of sight if you will be tempted to look at it.
• you take notes during the interview, let the interviewer know so they understand why you may look down during the interview. Use paper for notes instead of your phone. (It is also not necessary to take notes if you would prefer not to.)
• Be patient with programs if there are technology glitches or if faculty have a difficult time with the platform. This is new for everyone!
• Don’t schedule other activities too close to interviews, just in case there are issues with timing on either side, so that you are not anxious should this occur.
• Practice with a friend, colleague, or family member to get feedback on your background environment, lighting, etc.
• Be mindful about programs’ privacy as well – it is never appropriate to record a video of an interview, and this could disqualify you from a program. Do not post specific information about programs and their interviews on social media – remember, many program directors and residents are also on social media and will see everything you post.

Resources regarding virtual interviews:

AAMC Preparation Guide for Applicants Participating in Virtual Interviews
4 Tips on Video Interviews for 2021 Residency Applicants
Residency, Med School Interviews Go Virtual: What to Know