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Residency Program in Dermatology

Residency Program in Dermatology

Justification for Residency Training Programs in Dermatology
Veterinary dermatology is a well-developed, thriving clinical specialty with an established specialty college (American College of Veterinary Dermatology) composed of greater than 300 Diplomates.

There is a continuing and increasing need in academic institutions, private specialty practice, and within the pharmaceutical industry for veterinary dermatologists.

Dermatology Residency Training Program at UC Davis
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has three full-time faculty members in dermatology, Dr. Stephen White, Dr. Catherine Outerbridge, and Dr. Stefano Borio. Drs. White and Outerbridge are co-preceptors of the residency training program. Drs. White and Outerbridge are  Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD). Dr. Outerbridge is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) in small animal internal medicine. Dr. Borio is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology (ECVD). Dr. Verena Affolter (Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathology, PhD) is a faculty member in dermatopathology and is very involved with group research and the teaching program.

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) is well-suited to provide residency training in veterinary dermatology and it  has a large and varied caseload of small, exotic and large animal species with skin diseases. There is excellent support, both in staff and in facilities, in the related fields of pathology, clinical pathology, microbiology and immunology. A private dermatology library, video-otoscopes, CO2 laser,, and computer equipment are available for use by the residents.

Objectives of the Dermatology Residency Training Program

  • Provide non-degree, post-doctoral in-depth training in veterinary dermatology, comparative dermatology and related basic sciences such that the resident develops a comprehensive knowledge of skin diseases seen in domestic animals.
  • To fulfill the programmatic requirements for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD).
  • Provide experience in teaching clinical dermatology to veterinary students in the teaching hospital and exposure to didactic teaching in the classroom.
  • Provide experience in designing and carrying out an investigative project on a clinical problem in veterinary dermatology.

Qualifications Required of Dermatology Residency Candidates
Candidates must:

  • Have a DVM, VMD or equivalent degree from an approved veterinary school or college.
  • State Licensure: Required. A course is offered at the School of Veterinary Medicine UC Davis, once a year, usually in April for 3 days for new house officers and faculty to obtain a California state license, termed the University Veterinary License, valid for working at the VMTH only. Residents may elect instead to obtain full licensure.
  • Have completed one year in an internship or a comparable training period of practice equivalency. If the internship was not administered by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Matching Program, a letter stating the dates of training; the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the veterinarians trained with; and a description of the training, including problem-solving must be submitted in the application.
  • Be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in a state of the United States, province of Canada, or other country of citizenship.

Description of UC Davis Dermatology Residency Program

  • The dermatology program has 2 residents. Each new, three-year residency begins annually on August 1st. Continuation into the second and third years of the program is based on satisfactory performance =during the preceding year.
  • Residents will learn about skin diseases of both small and large animal species and if relevant comparative aspects of human dermatology. They will spend approximately 75% of their time in the clinical functions of the VMTH dermatology service. Each resident will see approximately 450-600 animals per year and have primary case responsibility for between 400 to 500 animals per year. Our case spectrum includes dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, small mammals, birds, reptiles, lab animals and occasionally zoo animals. During their residency, each resident will spend 140 or more days per year in clinical training as defined by the ACVD. An ACVD or ECVD-board certified dermatologist will be available at all times to supervise the resident.
  • Residents will spend approximately 25% of their time participating in rounds and seminars, investigative work and other forms of training.
  • Each resident will attend clinical and dermatopathology rounds, journal club, seminars, and lectures organized by Drs. White, Outerbridge, Borio and Affolter. These activities fall into the category of basic and applied science training as defined by the ACVD, and approximate 30-40 hours per month. Typically, residents attend 30 hours of lectures annually at the University and the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum (NAVDF). When practical, residents also are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of the physicians' dermatology group, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Funding is available to support travel to the NAVDF and (in years it occurs) the World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology (WCVD), and partial funding may be available to attend the annual human dermatology (AAD) meeting.

Responsibilities of UC Davis Dermatology Residents

  • Receive, diagnose, treat and follow-up medical patients with skin disease under the supervision of the dermatology faculty.
  • Participate in clinical rounds with professional DVM students and dermatology faculty.
  • Assist in teaching and supervision of professional DVM students in clinical dermatology.
  • Perform telephone consultations with veterinarians in small and large animal practice.
  • Dermatology residents are responsible for dermatologic emergencies if called in by the general emergency service in small animal or large animal clinics.
  • Develop a comprehensive knowledge of skin diseases seen in animals and learn the art and science of dermatology through rigorous study of the dermatologic literature. (The resident is expected to read approximately 15 hours per week during the residency.)
  • File an annual Residency Progress Report with the Chairperson of the Education Committee of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology.
  • When indicated, obtain good quality clinical images to ensure a digital photograph is uploaded to the patient’s medical record.

Description of Dermatology Residency Training

  • Dermatology Resident Training Rounds - Drs. White, Outerbridge and Borio.
  • Weekly journal club, book reviews, literature reviews, and case discussions.
  • Dermatopathology Rounds - Dr. Affolter. These include weekly slide review of VMTH in-house cases biopsied by the dermatology service or other VMTH clinical services as well as outside submitted specimens to the UC Davis Veterinary dermatopathology service..
  • Journal Club and Dermatopathology rounds are attended by the faculty, other area board certified and board eligible veterinary dermatologists, veterinary dermatopathologists, visiting residents, and sabbatical faculty members in dermatology and dermatopathology.
  • Comparative Dermatology - The resident will have the opportunity to participate in weekly grand rounds, dermatopathology seminars, journal clubs, and review seminars in the Department of Dermatology at the University of California, School of Medicine.
  • Resident's Research Project - All residents are required to initiate and complete at least one investigative project during their residency under the direction of a faculty advisor. The resident must be the principal investigator on this project. The project must be completed during the residency and submitted for presentation at the NAVDF or the WCVD. A manuscript suitable for publication must be prepared and submitted for publication before the end of the residency.
  • The resident will develop, prepare and present 1 to 3 lectures annually as part of the dermatology courses taught to third-year students in consultation with the senior staff. Extensive help is available prior to the lectures in the production of audio-visual aids and lecture techniques. After each lecture presentation faculty will provide the resident with observation and coaching of their teaching, 
  • The resident will participate in the Annual Veterinary Intern and Resident Symposium Day and present their research project
  • Residents may spend time on other VMTH rotations or visit other dermatology practices during their off clinic time
  • Residents are encouraged to speak at local and regional veterinary continuing education meetings.

General Information about Residency Training Programs at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

  • A large and complete Health Sciences Library is located adjacent to the VMTH for support of the resident's clinical training and research activities. This library facility is one of five on the Davis Campus. Collectively, these libraries contain more than 2.3 million volumes and receive more than 51,000 periodical and journal titles annually. There is online access to the digital periodical and journals to which the campus library subscribes
  • The VMTH is committed to building strong relationships with its constituents. A major part of the resident's duties, therefore, includes timely communication with referring veterinarians and clients.
  • Selection will be in accordance with the guidelines of the Veterinary Internship/Residency Matching Program. For application procedures, salary and benefits, and other information about the residency program, please see General Information. 
  • PLEASE NOTE : Candidates should be US citizens, US permanent residents, or foreign nationals eligible for a J1 scholar visa (and at the time of application not be subject to holds, bars or in-country rules) or Canadian/ Mexican citizens eligible for a TN visa. We will NOT pursue other visa categories. Candidates will be expected to pay for their visa fees. The offer of a residency may be withdrawn if written evidence of a visa is not provided by July 1, 2024.
  •  Information for Foreign Applicants
  • The University of California, Davis and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.

RESIDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF AN EMERGENCY CALL, THEREFORE, RESIDENTS MUST PLAN TO LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF THE HOSPITAL.