The Department of Dermatology deals with all aspects of the biology and diseases of the skin.

Training Overview

The Dermatology Residency Program at the University of Colorado Denver is an ACGME approved three-year program (PGY-2 through PGY-4) with the option to do a four-year special research track (PGY-5).  The program is accredited to take up to 5 residents per year.  The program is an integrated one, utilizing the combined facilities of the Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver Health Medical Center and CU Cosmetic Specialists.  Graduates of our program are prepared for a career in either academic medicine or clinical practice.

We offer the following:

• State-of-the-art clinical and research facility (Anschutz Medical Campus).
• Comprehensive clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin and mucous membranes
• Large patient population to include routine skin disorders, geriatric and pediatric disorders, and complex referral cases (the University of Colorado is the largest medical referral facility in the Rocky Mountain region)
• Intensive structured didactic training with conferences staffed by attending physicians
• Specialty clinics in Contact and Occupational Dermatology, Hair Loss, Pediatric Dermatology, Epidermolysis Bullosa/Wound Healing, Pediatric Laser and Vascular Malformations, Cutaneous Lymphoma, High Risk Skin Cancer, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Teledermatology and Cosmetic Dermatology.
• A Cutaneous Oncology program located within the Dermatology space and integrated with the Division of Medical Oncology to provide training in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
• Superior faculty-to-resident ratio with more faculty than residents
• Excellent opportunities to conduct either clinical or laboratory research
• Approved fellowships in Dermatopathology, Mohs surgery and Pediatric Dermatology

A four-year, research intensive track is available to residents who have an interest in academic dermatology to include investigatory research.  This "2+2" program is a modification of the three year program.  It includes approximately two years of clinical training in addition to two years devoted to investigative dermatology.  MD/PhD's as well as physicians without PhD's who have an established interest in basic science or translational research are encouraged to consider this option.

University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus                                                               

The University of Colorado Denver is the largest medical training program in the Rocky Mountain region.  The Anschutz Cancer Pavilion on the Anschutz Medical Campus is "home base" for dermatology where the majority of the clinical and didactic training is done.  Clinicians see patients with routine skin diseases and complex referral cases from around the region.

Children's Hospital Colorado is a tertiary children's referral hospital located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.  Dermatology occupies a permanent pediatric dermatology clinic consisting of seven examination rooms and a surgical suite.  Residents have the opportunity to see patients with rare genodermatoses as well as routine pediatric dermatologic conditions and gain experience in pediatric cutaneous surgery and laser treatment of vascular lesions.  The department also provides in-patient pediatric dermatology consultation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver is located 6 miles west of the Fitzsimons campus and predominantly serves and older male patient population with high rates of skin cancer.  Residents gain extensive experience with busy clinics utilizing the most efficient electronic medical record system in the nation and play leading roles in providing veteran compensation and pension skin evaluations and tele-dermatology services to other VA centers across Colorado and Wyoming.  A weekly dermatology clinic is also held at the Aurora VA Community Clinic.

The Denver Health Medical Center is 25-30 minutes from the Fitzsimons campus.  The patient mix at this city hospital includes many different ethnic groups and offers specialty clinics in sexually transmitted disease and pediatric dermatology.

The CU Cosmetic Specialists have an office in the Wellness Center which is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.  This facility is staffed by faculty from the Departments of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery and offers a number of cosmetic services including sclerotherapy, laser therapy, chemical peels, dermabrasion, hair removal, Botox and soft tissue augmentation.  Dermatology residents currently participate in a Residents Clinic at this facility during their third year.

The Didactics Program for the dermatology residents is highly structured and faculty-supervised with a three year plan.  Two half-days of protected time are provided each week (Monday and Friday afternoons).  The academic program is under constant review and evolves to meet changing needs.