Dermatology
Chairperson:
Paul A. Khavari, MD, PhD
Department web site:
http://dermatology.stanford.edu/
Faculty of Dermatology:
http://dermatology.stanford.edu/faculty/
Courses offered by the Department of Dermatology are listed under the subject code DERM on Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses web site.
The Department of Dermatology does not offer degrees; however, the department accepts graduate students as advisees for study and research. Undergraduate students may arrange individual research projects under the supervision of department faculty.
The Department of Dermatology has a system to guide medical students who are interested in dermatology and potentially planning to apply to dermatology residency. Interested students contact Dermatology administration ( to schedule a meeting with a Dermatology faculty member to discuss the residency application process, the dermatology subinternship (and its prerequisites), and any other aspect of dermatology including research and shadowing in clinic. Students should bring their CV and USMLE scores to these meetings to assist faculty in providing the most appropriate advice.
Research in the Department of Dermatology spans a wide range of efforts, ranging from clinical trials to molecular translational medicine to fundamental studies in epithelial biology, as embodied in the Stanford Program in Epithelial Biology.
INSTRUCTION FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
Preclinical instruction focuses on basic dermatology with particular emphasis on the morphology of skin lesions. It also provides an introduction to the more commonly occurring dermatological disorders.
Directed reading and research opportunities are available under the direction of individual faculty members.
Clinical instruction consists of basic and advanced dermatology clinical electives. The basic clinical elective includes rotations through Stanford adult and pediatric clinics, and the Palo Alto VA Hospital. The advanced clinical elective is divided between Stanford, the Palo Alto VA clinics, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Both clerkships include didactic teaching sessions as well as dermatology grand rounds. Students are expected to describe and recognize morphology, to perform a thorough skin examination, and to perform basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In the advanced clinical elective, students work more closely with faculty and participate in dermatopathology sessions, inpatient consultations and a variety of outpatient clinics.
RESIDENCY TRAINING
The residency program is a three-year program accredited by the American Board of Dermatology. The program is designed to provide training that will enable residents to achieve a high degree of competence in clinical dermatology, as well as special training in the basic sciences pertinent to the practice, teaching, and research of dermatology. Residents rotate through teaching units at Stanford University Medical Center, the Palo Alto Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. The program provides an educational environment with broad spectrum and in-depth training in general dermatology, pediatric dermatology, skin surgery, immunodermatology, dermatopathology, and mycology. Weekly teaching conferences and weekly grand rounds cover all phases of clinical dermatology and basic sciences. Emphasis is placed on the care of skin diseases in the outpatient clinic and inpatient wards. Residents are encouraged to pursue research projects in clinical and investigative dermatology.
POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
Opportunities for postdoctoral training in dermatology are available. For information, refer to the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs home page at http://postdocs.stanford.edu/ or the departmental home page.
