Letter from the Program Director

Dear Applicant,

Welcome to our website and thank you for your interest in the Dermatology training program at SUNY downstate Health science Center. Our program was started by Alan R. Shalita in 1975 and built from 4 residents to our present complement of 24.  Our past chairman, Dr. Edward Heilman, MD and myself have had the honor of working with our continued exceptional graduating residents and talented faculty.

We offer an outstanding clinical training experience, serving six Brooklyn institutions including: SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Kings County Hospital Center, the Veterans Administration Hospital (Brooklyn campus), Maimonides Medical Center, Brookdale University Hospital and Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center. The diversity of our patient population sets the stage for a unique daily experience for our residents and gives them exposure to a range of dermatologic conditions in all skin types. This backdrop is the reason our residents graduate with such a strong knowledge of adult and pediatric dermatology.

Our dermatopathology training, under the leadership of Drs. Edward Heilman and Usha Alapati, is another highlight of our program. In conjunction with the Ackerman Academy in Manhattan we attract and train the upper echelons of residents and fellows in dermatopathology. We have successfully competed in national AAD Dermatopathology and Dermoscopy Bowls, most recently placing first in 2018 in the AAD Dermatopathology Bowl and third in the 2019 Dermoscopy Bowl.

Our program excels in surgical training. Residents experience a vast majority of their procedural dermatology at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration (VA) under Dr. Daniel Siegel. At the VA, residents have the unique opportunity to identify and biopsy skin cancers, read the corresponding pathology slides, and ultimately operate, all on the same patient. The VA experience give our resident the opportunity to act as the primary dermatologist for their patients providing both a high level of continuity of care and a greater understanding of clinical-pathologic correlation. We anticipate opening a photo medicine laser clinic in 2021 under the direction of Jared Jagdeo, MD.

Our pediatric clinic began more then 25 years ago at Kings County Hospital Center and was one of the first subspecialty clinics in the discipline. Our residents gain experience in managing a variety of conditions including hemangiomas, vascular anomalies, atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and genodermatoses in neonates, children, and adolescents. All residents rotate in outpatient pediatric dermatology clinic throughout residency, however a specialized rotation in pediatric dermatology is part of the second year curriculum. We offer Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship training under the direction of  Dr. Jeannette Jakus who also directs our Pediatric Laser Clinic.

Most importantly, our program showcases its residents and provides opportunity for roads less traveled. Our residents have been the recipients of international scholarships to study melanoma in Melboume, infectious disease in London, and teledermatology in Haiti. Our residents have worked abroad in Botswana and participated in electives across the United States including San Diego, San Francisco, Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, Birmingham, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans and more. Whether abroad or back at Downstate our program is known for its collegiality and welcoming environment.

Upon graduation our resident have gone on to pursue prestigious fellowships in various subspecialties including Mohs and procedural dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, dermatopathology, complex medical dermatology and pediatric dermatology. We also provide excellent training for residents who go into private practice.

Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to meeting you and making you feel welcome in our department.

Sincerely,
Sharon A. Glick, MD, FAAD, FCAP
Interim Chairman and Program Director