How will I learn, grow + connect during dermatology residency?

At Tufts Medical Center, education goes beyond textbooks. Our dermatology residency combines rich didactic learning with real-world exposure to rare diseases, cutting-edge procedures and expert-led discussions. From weekly lectures to national conferences, we prepare residents to become confident, collaborative and curious dermatologists who never stop learning. Our program emphasizes academic development, clinical reasoning and professional growth, on campus and across the country.

Didactics

We protect seven hours each week for formal didactics. These interactive, faculty-led sessions cover essential and advanced dermatology topics:

• Basic science
• Clinical core curriculum
• Dermatopathology
• Drugs in dermatology
• Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conference
• Clinicopathologic correlation
• Kodachromes and morphology
• Neoplastic dermatology
• Pediatric/genodermatoses (Hurwitz)
• Procedural dermatology
• Grand rounds
• Journal club
• Faculty-resident development lecture series

Conferences and lectures

We encourage residents to attend up to 8 days of conferences each year to present their work, build connections and engage with the latest research. Commonly attended meetings include:

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Annual spring meeting with opportunities to present posters and participate in gross & microscopic sessions
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS): Focused on cutting-edge procedural techniques
• Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD): Emphasizing care for young people with skin conditions

New England Dermatological Society

Tufts Medical Center actively participates in this regional collaboration with leading programs like Harvard, Yale, Brown and others. We host and attend three annual clinical meetings featuring live patients with rare conditions, expert panels and collaborative discussions that sharpen diagnostic skills and broaden exposure.

Comprehensive dermatology clinical training hands-on experience + advanced specialty care

The dermatology residency offers a wide range of clinical learning opportunities designed to prepare residents for comprehensive dermatologic care. Our training includes hands-on experience in general dermatology, specialty clinics, surgical procedures, laser and cosmetic treatments, dermatopathology and pediatric dermatology. Residents gain exposure to diverse patient populations with varied skin types and complex conditions, allowing them to build confidence in managing common and rare diseases. This broad clinical foundation is supported by dedicated faculty mentorship and access to advanced technologies, ensuring residents develop the skills needed for successful careers in academic medicine, private practice or fellowship.

General dermatology

General dermatology is a core focus throughout all three years at Tufts Medical Center and the VA. Residents gain experience in general dermatology and specialty clinics, including pediatric dermatology, blistering diseases, connective tissue diseases, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hair loss, lasers and cosmetics and allergic contact dermatitis.

Surgery

First-year residents concentrate on mastering excision fundamentals at Tufts Medical Center. Second- and third-year residents perform excisions and assist in Mohs surgery during their VA rotations and at Tufts Medical Center.

Inpatient consults

Second- and third-year residents complete a two-month consult rotation covering adult and pediatric inpatient services at Tufts Medical Center. They also participate in the consult service at the West Roxbury VA.

Lasers + cosmetics

At Tufts Medical Center, residents gain hands-on experience with:

• Botox and Dysport injections for crow’s feet, frown and forehead lines
• Facial volume replacement and wrinkle reduction using fillers such as Belotero, Restylane Silk, Lyft, Juvaderm Ultra, Ultra Plus, Volbella, Vollure, Voluma and Sculptra
• Facial tightening and skin resurfacing with fractional and traditional radiofrequency
• Removal of pigmentation, brown spots and age spots using chemical peels and laser treatments
• Laser removal of redness, facial blood vessels and rosacea
• Laser hair removal and tattoo removal
• Sclerotherapy for spider veins on the legs
• Improvement of acne and scars using chemical peels, surgical scar removal, fractional non-ablative and ablative resurfacing, fractional radiofrequency and photodynamic therapy
• Body contouring and fat reduction treatments, including Kybella for the neck and radiofrequency treatments for the face and body

Residents rotate through cosmetic clinics and participate in hands-on cosmetic sessions throughout all three years.

Dermatopathology

The VA and Tufts Medical Center offer comprehensive dermatopathology curricula, including lectures and slide reviews using multi-headed scopes as part of resident didactics. Inform DX also provides specialized dermatopathology training.

Electives

Second- and third-year residents have two weeks annually for electives, which have included clinical work in Boston and abroad, collaborations with local and national subspecialty experts and international experiences such as Botswana. There is also opportunity for specialized training with Dr. Razzaque Ahmed at the Center of Blistering Diseases, offering further exposure to rare autoimmune conditions and advanced patient care.

Pediatric dermatology

Residents at all levels participate in dedicated pediatric dermatology clinics at Tufts Medical Center. Second-year residents complete a pediatric inpatient consult rotation at Boston Children’s Hospital. Residents also evaluate pediatric consults from the Tufts emergency department and patients in the NICU during the consult rotation.

Dermatology residency at Tufts Medical Center supportive faculty culture + comprehensive clinical experience

Welcome to the Department of Dermatology at Tufts Medical Center. We’re glad you’re exploring our residency program.

Our goal is to help you build the knowledge, skills and confidence to become an exceptional dermatologist and a leader in the field. You'll care for a diverse, complex patient population, work with nationally recognized faculty and gain hands-on experience across all areas of dermatology.

Our curriculum emphasizes clinical excellence, innovative thinking and continuous learning. We’re deeply committed to equity, inclusion and a strong sense of community—we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

You’ll train alongside approachable, passionate faculty who are dedicated to teaching and supporting your growth both professionally and personally. We foster a collaborative environment where residents feel heard, supported and empowered to explore their interests.

You’ll also benefit from our partnerships with Boston Children’s Hospital, the VA and community sites across the region. Whether you're interested in academic medicine, private practice or fellowship, our program is designed to prepare you for any path you choose.

We’re excited to meet applicants who are curious, compassionate and ready to make an impact in dermatology.

We look forward to meeting you,

• Sarah Robinson, MD
  Program Director
  Director, Pediatric Dermatology
• Erika Elliott, MD
  Associate Program Director
• Catherine Baker, MD
  Associate Program Director
• F. Clarissa Yang, MD, MBA
  Chair, Dermatologist-in-chief