Dermatology Residency

Department and Program Mission Statement / Philosophy

The mission of the Department of Dermatology is to teach dermatology to medical students, residents, fellows and other healthcare providers; to promote excellence in patient care for patients with disorders of the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes; and to promote research in the field of dermatology.

The goal of the Dermatology residency and fellowship programs is to provide each resident/fellow with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become an expert and excellent clinical dermatologist/procedural dermatologist in a professional learning environment of scholarship, friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Ingrid Polcari, MD
Program Director

ipolcari@umn.edu

Kevin Gaddis, MD
Associate Program Director

gaddi013@umn.edu

Program Structure

Your dermatology training will consist of a transitional or intern year at another institution, followed by three years of Dermatology training. Our program includes robust training in medical dermatology, dermatopathology, dermatologic surgery, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and allergy dermatology. You will rotate through three different health systems working with a wide variety of patient populations and skin disease. Our residents have protected didactic time every Wednesday and Friday afternoon, with the exception of quarterly "Wellness Fridays," which are reserved for residents to make appointments, work on research and scholarly products or study. Our residents receive up to $1,000 per year to present at approved academic conferences, plus a "book fund" that they raise themselves, and an additional $500 from the department for residents that submit an abstract to the AAD. Residents have many opportunities to participate in professional development and leadership opportunities, including serving in departmental leadership roles or on regional and national committees. We also nominate two residents each year for the Resident Leadership Academy hosted by our GME office. 

In addition to clinical experience in a variety of settings, our curriculum includes:

Applicant FAQs

When is the application due date?

The application deadline for the 2024 Match has passed. We will be filling 5 Dermatology PGY-2 positions to commence July 1, 2025. Transitional Year programs begin July 1, 2024.

Will the new supplemental application be required?

For the 2024 ERAS® cycle, our program will be participating in the supplemental ERAS application offered through the AAMC’s ERAS program. Applicants will be required to complete the MyERAS application, and participation in the supplemental ERAS application is optional.

Will you have any PGY-2 positions available?

No.

Is there a USMLE requirement or score cut-off?

USMLE Step 1 is preferred upon application, but lack of a score will not disqualify an applicant.  All applications will be reviewed.

What visas do you accept?

We only accept J-1 visas.

How many letters of recommendation are required?

Our program requires that you have a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation in addition to the dean’s letter.

What format for Letters of Recommendation are accepted / preferred?

We will accept both standardized and narrative-style letters.

Who should I get letters of recommendation from?

Try to get letters from dermatologists. Letters from academic dermatologists are highly desired.

Do you consider applicants that have already completed a residency?

Yes- we will consider all applications.

Do you accept foreign medical graduates that have not had clinical experience in the US?

We will consider foreign medical graduates whether they have clinical experience in the USA or not. Each application will be considered on a case by case basis. Foreign medical graduates must be ECFMG certified to be considered.

How much research experience is required to apply?

We do not require any research experience but it is highly desirable.