Advanced Dermatology Residency Program

Our residents pursue research endeavors that prepare them for their future careers and push their fields forward.

Our dermatopathology curriculum is expanding, and currently includes weekly one-on-one sessions between Dr. Culpepper and residents to review topics of their choice, providing an opportunity that is unmatched at any other dermatology residency program. Drs. Bowden, Hiatt and Miraflor sit with residents to review histology slides for inpatient cases. Residents report these session being high-yield for boards.

Grand Rounds and didactic lectures are held on a weekly basis. Grand Rounds are coordinated by a chief resident and draw dermatologists from across the country to discuss a broad array of topics ranging from hidradenitis suppurativa to inpatient consults and presentation of pediatric dermatologic conditions in skin of color. A different chief resident coordinates the didactics curriculum.

Residents will spend their three years of training in inpatient, outpatient and surgical settings.

Approximately one-third of each resident’s experience will take place at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (VA). Within this facility, residents will gain experience with inpatients, outpatient clinics and surgery.

The other two-thirds of each resident’s training will take place at Banner – University Medical Center North Campus and Banner – University Medical Center Pima Canyon. 

We are looking to fill spots for the 2027-2028 academic year. We have already filled spots for the 2026-2027 academic year. The matching program for dermatology will coincide with the regular National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). The match, which takes place each March, selects residents to begin training July of the following year (e.g., in March 2025, we will pick residents to begin PGY-2 in July 2026).

All of the following materials must be submitted to ERAS:

• CV
• Three letters of reference
• USMLE scores
• ECFMG certificate (see “International Medical Graduates,” below)
• Medical school transcript
• Dean’s letter of support
• Certificate of completion (or good standing in) ACGME-accredited residency (can be in Anesthesiology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine)
• Personal statement

Interviews are virtual, with no open houses prior to interview season. You must have taken USMLE Step 1 and 2 prior to interviewing.

For international applicants: We only sponsor J-1 visa applicants. Graduates of foreign medical schools must have a standard ECFMG Certificate.

Applicants who have completed a previous residency are encouraged to apply through ERAS. If you were to match with our program, you would have a gap year before starting with us the following July as a PGY2 instead of having a transitional intern year as most do. Previously completing a residency would not affect funding slots.

Residents will be assigned to these clinics during all years of training. All clinics will be staffed by an attending physician. The residents will obtain exposure to all aspects of medical dermatology, dermatologic surgery and cutaneous oncology. Residents are expected to see patients to obtain a history and physical examination, and then formulate a differential diagnosis and a treatment plan with the guidance of the attending physician.

During PGY 2-4, residents will rotate on this service and daily learning will take place at the patient bedside with the attending physician assigned to this service.

Residents of all years will see pediatric patients in the outpatient setting at Phoenix Children’s Hospital Tucson campus and inpatient settings at the Banner facilities in Tucson.

Residents will gain exposure to contact and occupational dermatology of the general dermatology clinics. They will learn when it is appropriate to refer a patient for patch testing.

Dermatologic surgery cases will be performed in all years of training with increasing complexity of excisions and closures (including flaps and grafts) throughout the years of training. Cases will be performed under the direct supervision of attending dermatologists. Assigned surgical rotations will also be performed in the second and third years. During these rotations, the resident will participate in all aspects of care of the surgical patient including the evaluation, surgical planning, surgery and postoperative care of general dermatologic surgery patients as well as patients having nail and Mohs micrographic surgery. These rotations will be under the direct supervision of the dermatologic surgery staff.

The primary source of cosmetic training will be Dr. Comstock, a highly renowned cosmetic dermatologist. Residents will have exposure to various cosmetic procedures, including injection of botulinum toxin/fillers and deoxycholic acid, along with chemical peels.

Residents will receive exposure to reading dermatopathology slides throughout their residency through weekly unknown slide sessions as well as by completing four months of formal dermatopathology rotations in both the second and third years. Residents on the dermatopathology rotation will receive direct one-on-one training in immunofluorescence and electron microscopy for diagnosis of immunobullous disease.

The Department of Dermatology maintains an active research program both in basic science and in clinical research. There is active ongoing research in cutaneous oncology and inflammatory skin conditions. Elective rotations in research are also available in the third year to residents wishing to increase their exposure to clinical or basic science research.

Residents will perform cases with a variety of different lasers for the management of vascular malformations, tattoo removal and hair removal. They will also gain exposure to ablative and non-ablative laser modalities for skin rejuvenation. The Aesthetics Program and Laser Center at Pima Canyon is a collaborative approach between ENT, plastic surgery and oculoplastics. We have eight lasers with over 15 modalities, including PDL, KTP, CO2, IPL, Erbium, Nd:YAG and non-ablative fractional — with more coming. This is the most diverse laser program in the state of Arizona!

The residents will learn to use narrow-band photodynamic therapy techniques to treat inflammatory dermatoses and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.