Resident Rounds: Part I
Program Spotlight: The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC)

June 2012 | Volume 11 | Issue 6 | Features | 762 | Copyright © June 2012


Kristen H. Fernandez MD, Phillip C. Hochwalt MD, Julie Ritchie MD, Thomas A. Pietras MD, and Adam Asarch MD

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC)

Abstract
Resident Rounds is a section of the JDD dedicated to highlighting various dermatology departments with residency training programs. Resident Rounds includes three sections: (1) a program spotlight, highlighting pertinent information about the department and residency training program; (2) a section presenting study materials used by residents at the program; and (3) a section designed to highlight recent interesting cases seen at the institution. This issue of Resident Rounds features the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). The editor of Resident Rounds is Omar A. Ibrahimi MD PhD. He is currently the Director of Cutaneous Laser and Cosmetic Surgery and a Mohs surgeon at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Ibrahimi is also a Visiting Scientist at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. If you are interested in highlighting your training program in a future issue, please contact Dr. Ibrahimi at OIbrahimi@jddonline.com.
The University of Iowa hired its first dermatologist in 1899. By 1905, it grew to become the Department of Dermatology and Syphilology. The University of Iowa began training residents following the appointment of Dr. Ruben Nomland as the head of the Department in 1936. Currently there are thirteen residents working with nine full-time MD faculty and two full-time PhD faculty. Three of the faculty members are fellowship- trained dermatopathologists, and one faculty member is a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon.
In 2007, the Department of Dermatology moved into a new clinical space at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). This space includes over 20 clinic rooms, nine procedure rooms, resident, faculty, and nursing workspace, as well as a phototherapy unit, consisting of narrow band UVB, hand/foot narrow band UVB, and UVA1 booths. The department also owns and frequently utilizes seven lasers.
While the majority of clinics at UIHC are general dermatology clinics, residents receive training in specialty clinics including bullous disease, cosmetic, cutaneous lymphoma, surgery, and rheumatology clinics. In addition to clinical rotations, residents do 5 to 6 months of Mohs surgery, 3 to 4 months of dermatopathology, and 3 to 4 months covering the inpatient consult service. Patients are drawn from a large geographic area (Iowa, western Illinois, and northern Missouri), providing a wide spectrum of diseases.
In addition to the greater than 30,000 patient visits per year seen at the UIHC Department of Dermatology, residents also have clinics at the Iowa City VA Medical Center four days a week, including Mohs surgery and procedural clinics. The VA clinic is staffed by first-, second-, and third-year dermatology residents with a thirdyear resident functioning as "VA Chief." The VA Chief is in charge of all clinics, procedures, and follow-up from the Iowa City VA.
In addition to outstanding clinical and surgical experience, there are on average eight to ten faculty and resident led lectures ev-
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ery week, including textbook review, grand rounds, journal club, basic science lectures, kodachromes, dermatopathology lectures, and surgery lectures.
The greatest parts of the University of Iowa Dermatology Residency Program are the outstanding clinical training, the faculty dedication to resident learning, and the enjoyable working environment among residents.

DISCLOSURES

The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

Address for Correspondence

Adam D. Asarch MDDepartment of Dermatology200 Hawkins DriveIowa City, IA 52242Phone: (319) 356-7546Fax: (319) 356-8317adam-asarch@uiowa.edu