Curriculum

In addition to clinical experience in a variety of settings, our curriculum includes:

  • Grand Rounds at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – twice monthly conference in which residents present clinical cases, describe dermatologic findings, outline a differential diagnosis, and discuss treatment plans
  • Inpatient Rounds at Howard University Hospital
  • Clinical lectures and Kodachrome sessions led by Howard University faculty and community-based faculty
  • Monthly Invited Guest Speaker series
  • Basic science lectures
  • Dermatopathology lectures and unknowns
  • Journal clubs in which residents review and critique articles with faculty
  • Surgical didactics and hands-on teaching sessions 
  • Structured textbook reviews
  • Joint didactic sessions with our regional colleagues including diseases - specific conferences and an annual Resident Bootcamp designed for the incoming first-year dermatology residents in all the regional residency programs
  • Community Service opportunities

Conferences

Our residents are members of the Washington DC Dermatological Society. Howard University hosts a Washington DC Dermatological Society meeting each year during which our residents have the opportunity to present patient cases. 

  • Our residents and medical students are encouraged to present at national dermatology conferences, such as the American Academy of Dermatology Gross and Microscopic Symposium, the Skin of Color Society Annual Symposium Meeting, and the National Medical Association Annual Convention
  • Funding is provided for our residents to attend 2 conferences per year
  • Funding is provided for third-year residents to attend board review courses 

Rotations

The residents have the following rotations throughout residency:

  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center (General Dermatology, Inpatient Consults, Dermatologic Surgery, Laser Therapy)
  • Howard University Hospital (General Dermatology, Inpatient Consults)
  • Dermatopathology
  • Dermatologic Surgery
  • Children’s National Medical Center (Pediatric Dermatology
  • Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Mohs Surgery)
  • 4 Weeks of Elective Time (by individual design)