The Dermatology Residency offers trainees the opportunity to work in a Department of Dermatology that sees tens of thousands of patients per year. Given the size of our patient population, our residents encounter patients with a wide variety of cutaneous diseases and syndromes.
Residents have the opportunity to work directly with members of the faculty on a one-on-one basis and run their own clinics under the supervision of voluntary attendings. In addition, they see consultations within our five major hospitals. Because of the nature of the specialty clinic system at The Mount Sinai Health System, residents get significant experience not only in common skin diseases but also in rare conditions such as neurofibromatosis, cutaneous sarcoid, and other illnesses, for which Mount Sinai's specialty clinics are famous.
We have combined the program at The Mount Sinai Hospital with the program at Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Training takes place at the three hospitals.
Our clinical trials in psoriasis have demonstrated that ultraviolet light can be blocked by many psoriasis treatments applied to the skin, and conversely that some topical therapies are inactivated by ultraviolet light. Combinations of topical therapies that are incompatible have also been identified in our Department. We have introduced many new topical and systemic treatments for psoriasis and for eczema. We were the first to introduce topical immunomodulators for the treatment of precancerous lesions known as actinic keratosis. We are now at the forefront of introducing treatments that we have identified for alopecia areata and for vitiligo.
Our research staff is studying 500 patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a condition that is a model for accelerated aging characterized by prematurely aged skin, eye disease, and accelerated heart disease.
Phototherapy
Our Department runs one of the busiest phototherapy units in the world. We administer a wide array of treatments to patients with cutaneous conditions that respond to ultraviolet light treatment. Conditions treated include psoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, atopic dermatitis, and various pruritic disorders. We see about 50 patients a day at our Sinai center. We also have a deep experience using excimer laser for psoriasis, vitiligo, and a variety of other conditions. Our residents have the ability to study any and all of these procedures while working in the faculty practice.
Cosmetic Surgery, Laser Surgery, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Our Department also has a Division of Dermatologic and Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Residents are given the opportunity to work with the director of this division to acquire surgical skills and knowledge about Mohs surgery and laser treatment. As part of the core curriculum, residents spend time working with Mohs surgeons, assisting with various repairs and cosmetic procedures.
Residents perform a wide array of cosmetic procedures in our resident-run cosmetic clinics under direct faculty supervision. Among the procedures performed are botulinum toxin injection, various fillers for soft tissue augmentation, microdermabrasion, peels, sclerotherapy, skin grafts, hair transplantation, fat transfer, liposuction, various lasers for pigmented and vascular lesions, and nonablative photo rejuvenation techniques.
Dermatopathology
Residents have the opportunity to work individually and in groups with several experienced dermatopathologists. Opportunities for learning extend from direct observation to conducting independent research projects under the supervision of the head of the Division of Dermatopathology. A dermatopathology course is part of the core curriculum. Each week, residents meet with the chief of the Dermatopathology Division to review textbook material and to go over the results of biopsies residents have performed in the clinic.
Research
We have a dynamic and expanding research program. Our faculty is on the forefront of diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, melanoma, vitiligo, and alopecia areata.
How to Apply
Applications for the program should be submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). All appointments are made through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP). Applicants must register with both ERAS and NRMP to participate in each of the services.
Your application must include:
- A current Curriculum Vitae with publications, presentations, and research activity included
- A minimum of three letters of recommendation from faculty
- Your medical school transcript (with graduation date)
- Medical Student Performance Evaluation
- Copy of STEP 1 scores (While STEP 2 CK is not a requirement, having it complete at the time of application is preferred); Minimum of 240 (No Failures)
- A personal statement
- Valid J1, H1 or Permanent Resident Visa required (if applicable); U.S. medical experience is required
- Valid ECFMG Certificate (for applicants who graduated medical school outside the United States)
- A Preliminary/Transitional year in an ACGME-accredited program is required before beginning the dermatology residency. Note: A Pathology Internship does not qualify
Once completed, your ERAS application will be forwarded to our selection committee for review. Applicants with strong potential will be invited to interview the end of January.
Following the interview, both applicants and Mount Sinai will submit their rank order lists to ERAS.
Residency Training Sites
Our residents rotate through six main outpatient clinical sites that serve diverse and varied populations in three boroughs. In addition, our residents see inpatient consults at four of our main hospitals (Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside), rotate with our two Mohs surgeons, participate in our three resident surgical and cosmetic clinics, rotate with our Dermatopathologists, and now staff our new Teledermatology rotation. While the number of weeks that each resident spends in each of these varies based on year of training, they are all a major part of the experience of our trainees.
Curriculum, Conferences and Didactics
Our residents participate in a well-rounded and diverse set of educational activities outside of the clinic. These include a weekly, resident-driven textbook review, weekly Grand Rounds, weekly faculty and resident lectures, Dermatopathology lectures and slide reviews. Additionally, our residents are encouraged to attend several symposia and conferences including the AAD, the Real World Dermatology for Residents, and several symposia hosted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.