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residency program
(2008-2009 Dermatology Residents)
(Front row): Bette, Katie, Saba, Ashley. (Back row): Chris, Drew, Andrew, Mike, Aaron.
overview
Founded in 1987, the dermatology residency program at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine has already become one of the premier programs in the country. The strength of the program is testimony to the quality of our faculty and its commitment to graduate education and to the tradition of commitment to excellence established by our residents.
The overarching goal of our residency program is to train physicians who will be well-prepared and motivated to assume positions of leadership in clinical and academic dermatology.
Residents at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center receive a solid grounding in general dermatology as well as specialized training in phototherapy, cutaneous surgery, contact and occupational dermatology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and dermatopathology. Residents are also exposed to the scientific underpinnings of dermatology through an innovative basic science curriculum.
Our program is able to achieve a superior level of training in part by keeping the faculty/resident ratio at about 1:1. The program is analogous to a first-tier liberal arts college, wherein students are given considerable individual attention from faculty.
Of great importance is the fact that residents assume increasing responsibilities during the course of their training in both clinical dermatology and the teaching of medical students. And since the program is dynamic, residents are given the singular opportunity to take part in its evolution.
resident selection
All faculty and residents play an active role in resident selection. We seek candidates who are very competitive academically, as demonstrated by medical class standing and, to a lesser degree, by National Board of Medical Examiners scores. The candidates we select are physicians who are truly committed to the attainment of leadership positions in dermatology, through either an academic career or clinical practice.
Words that describe our most successful residents include “team-oriented, enthusiastic, hard-working, proactive, conscientious, fun, and well-rounded.” Candidates who select University internships may be favored.
From among the several hundred applications we receive each year, we select 40 candidates to be interviewed. Of these, three candidates are chosen each year to join our program.
We adopt the housestaff policy without changes for resident eligibility, selection and promotion. http://www1.wfubmc.edu/physicianservices/current/Policies.htm
resident responsibilities
Each resident is on call from home an average of one to two months per year. Calls average only one to five per week, a result of the Medical Center's outstanding emergency capabilities. Faculty are available at all times for backup.
During the course of the three-year program, residents assume progressively responsible leadership duties, including assisting faculty in the instruction of residents from internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and emergency medicine as well as instructing second and fourth-year medical students.
A typical weekly schedule for a first-year resident includes the following:
- One half-day clinic in which the resident is primarily responsible for the patient, with direct faculty supervision;
- One half-day surgery clinic in which the resident operates under Dr. Williford's supervision;
- Five half-day "attending clinics" in which the resident works directly with the dermatology attending; Inpatient service (average daily census, 1/2 patient);
- Two half-days of academic time (e.g. research, special projects, etc.); and
- One half-day of textbook, weekly dermatopathology (2 hours), and other conferences.
electives and other options
Second-year residents are assigned to the Consult Service, with 40 to 50 new consults per month and fewer assigned clinics. Senior residents may mix half-day clinics and half-day surgical clinics (advanced dermatologic surgery is a requirement) with specialty clinics to create an individualized course. A total of six months of elective time is available.
Elective options include combinations of the following:
- Basic research or clinical research (also available in years I and 2)
- Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Center
- Dermatopathology
- Occupational and contact dermatitis
- Pigmented lesion clinic
- Vulvar disease clinic
- Pediatric dermatology
- Laser clinic
- Hair disorders
- Rheumatologic dermatology
- Flexibility to design own electives with approval
- Surgery (Mohs) - in addition to required surgery
the dermatology clinics
- 9th Floor, Richard Janeway Clinical Sciences Tower
- Approximate Dermatology Square Footage: 9,294 (including Hanes, South and Watlington Buildings: 14,282)
- Monthly Average Visits (approximate) WFUP total: 4,000
- Psoriasis Center: 300 visits
- Mohs Surgery: 100-120 cases
- VA: 300 visits
- Pediatric Clinic: 200 visits
- Community Dermatology Clinics: 400 visits
- Downtown Health Plaza: 100 visits
program statistics
- 417 applications received
- 41 applicants interviewed
- 3 applicants accepted
- 159 applicants were members of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- 90% of applicants had completed research
- 240 was the approximate mean USMLE Step 1 score of applicants interviewed
resident employment benefits
Residents are employees of The North Carolina Baptist Hospitals, Incorporated (NC BH), and receive the standard benefits offered by NCBH. Resident offices are provided by the department, as are textbooks, travel reimbursements, course tuition, and regional and national dermatologic meetings (two or three meetings each year, including the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting), and their attendance is reimbursed by the department.
current residents
third year
Michael Hinckley, M.D.
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Undergraduate: University of Utah (majors: English, Russian)
Medical School: University of Utah
Internship: Deaconess Medical Center
Katie Kerchner, M.D. (Chief Resident)
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee at Knoxville (major: Nursing)
Medical School: University of Missouri at Columbia
Internship: University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville
Aaron Loyd, M.D.
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma at Norman (major: Letters)
Med School: University of Oklahoma at Norman
Internship: St. John Medical Center
second year
Andrew D. Lee, M.D.
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Undergraduate: University of Hawaii (major: Biology)
Medical School: University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine
Internship: University of Hawaii Transitional Residency Program
Drew W. Miller, M.D.
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergraduate: Wake Forest University (major: Chemistry)
Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Internship: University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville
Christopher B. Yelverton, M.D., M.B.A.
Hometown: Boise, ID
Undergrad: Berea College (major: Biology)
Med School: Texas Tech University School of Medicine
Internship: Texas Tech University School of Medicine
first year
Saba M. Ali, M.D.
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Undergraduate: The University of Akron (major: BS/MD Natural Science degree)
Medical School: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Internship: Akron General Medical Center, Akron OH
Ashley R. Curtis, M.D.
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Undergraduate: Georgia Institute of Technology (major: Industrial Engineering)
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Internship: Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, SC
Elizabeth D. Kaufman, M.D.
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
Undergraduate: University of Virginia (major: English)
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Internship: Carilion Clinic Preliminary Internal Medicine in Roanoke, VA
Residency Application Process
This is a three year training program. Appointments are made through the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) beginning at the House Officer II level only. Accredited US Internship must be completed prior to your start in our program.
Applicants must apply via the Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS) developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Please note that any questions you may have regarding ERAS should be directed to your Dean's Office/Office of Student Affairs or the ERAS website: http://www.aamc.org/audienceeras.htm
Our application deadline is December 1st.
To be considered for an interview, a completed ERAS application should include the following:
* The ERAS Common Application Form (CAF) and accompanying photo
* At least three letters of recommendation. We prefer two of these letters from academic dermatologists.
* Official medical school transcript
* Copy of scores from medical licensing exams taken up to this point (USMLE preferable)
* Personal statement
* MSPE (Dean's Letter)
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please call Ms. Teresa Clodfelter, Residency Coordinator, at (336) 716-7415 or e-mail a message to tamos@wfubmc.edu
Interviews
Invitations for interviews will be sent in the mail as early as November through mid-December if applications are complete. Inteviews are then primarily scheduled for January and take place on Fridays and Saturdays. Invited applicants will be notified of the available interview dates. A typical interview day would last from 8:00am - 2:00pm and includes an introduction to the program from the residency director, personal interviews with residency director and faculty, tour of the department and medical center, informal time with the current residents and lunch.
Travel
The Piedmont Triad International Airport located in Greensboro, NC is less than 30 minutes away from Winston-Salem. Charlotte Douglas Airport is 1 1/2 hours from Winston-Salem and Raleigh-Durham is 2 hours away.
Department of Dermatology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157-1071
336.716.2768
Fax: 336.716.7732
Wake Forest University is committed to abide by all local, state and national laws, and to administer all educational and employment activities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, or sex (except where sex is a bona fide occupational qualification or statutory requirement).