Specialty Clinics
Residents rotate through a variety of specialty clinics with experts in these areas:
Connective Tissue Disease Clinic
Under the direction of Dr. Rashighi (adult) and Dr Reusch (pediatric), each resident spends one half day per week for six months in the Connective Tissue Disease Clinic. While many patients with cutaneous lupus, morphea, dermatomyositis and related conditions may be managed in regular medical and pediatric dermatology clinics, this clinic provides an opportunity to diagnose and manage some more complex patients with these conditions.
Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Clinic
Chief residents spend one clinic per month for 6 months in Cutaneous Lymphoma Clinic, which is directed by Dr Svoboda. Residents will see a wide variety of patients with different subtypes of Primary Cutaneous T- Cell and B-Cell Lymphoma. This is an excellent experience that will focus on teaching the nuances of diagnosis and treatment of these challenging conditions, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with providers from both medical oncology and radiation oncology to provide comprehensive care.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Clinic
Each second year resident spends two clinics per month for three months of the year in the EB clinic at the Hahnemann Campus. This evolving multidisciplinary clinic manages approximately 100 patients with epidermolysis bullosa from across New England. There is regular participation from pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition.
Genetics Dermatology Combined Clinic
Residents diagnose and manage interesting patients with a variety of genodermatoses in this clinic which is conducted once every two months. First, second and third year residents participate on a rotating basis. This clinic is staffed by pediatric dermatologist Dr. Belazarian and and geneticist Dr. Hay at UMass, allowing for great collaboration between the two departments. In addition, lectures on genetic skin disease are given to all of the residents prior to each clinic.
HS Clinic
The UMass Chan Medical School Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with HS through innovative research, education, and clinical care. HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes abscesses, sinus tracts, and scars that has a significant impact on patient quality of life. Across training, residents spend six months working in medical HS clinics with Drs. St John and Whitley, as well as three months in procedural HS clinic to learn techniques such as deroofing, incision and drainage, and laser hair removal.
Keloid Clinic
Although all dermatologists should and do treat keloids, we are a referral center for medical and surgical treatment of recalcitrant, widespread, or otherwise challenging keloids. Treatment options available in this clinic include excision, intralesional steroids, intralesional chemotherapy, and laser therapies. This clinic is especially important for ensuring adequate access to patients of color, who disproportionately are affected by keloids.
Laser Clinics
During the third year, each resident spends one clinic per week with Dr. Scharf in his adult laser clinic for about six months of the year. There is ample opportunity for hands on experience with VBeam, Sciton, long pulsed YAG, long pulsed Alexandrite, and picowave laser. Dr Plumptre also offers laser for pediatric patients. Residents become comfortable with the hands-on use of the various lasers by the time they finish residency.
Mohs Surgery Clinic
Each second year dermatology resident spends one half day per week for six months of the year assisting in Mohs surgery. This is an opportunity to hone more advanced surgical techniques with one of our dermatologic surgeons.
Nail Clinic
In addition to nail procedures with our dermatologic surgeons at UMass, residents have the opportunity to spend time with nail experts Drs Baltz and Jellinek at their practice in Rhode Island. This experience helps residents learn medical and surgical management of disorders of the nail unit.
Psoriasis Clinic
The psoriasis specialty clinic is run by Drs. Leah Belazarian, Rita Khodosh, and Nikki Levin, and accepts referrals of patients with challenging psoriasis, managing them with systemic medications and phototherapy, while also making sure that they are referred for appropriate care of comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Patients are followed with a systematic intake form and scored for psoriatic arthritis, quality of life, body surface area, and physician global assessment at each visit.
Vitiligo Clinic
UMass Chan receives referrals from far distances for patients who want to be seen by specialists in the Vitiligo Clinic and Research Center under the direction of Dr. Harris. We offer a treatment called MKTP which is only offered at a few centers around the world. Each resident spends about three months during residency in a half day vitiligo clinic.