Minority groups traditionally under-represented in medicine (URM) are also under-represented in the field of dermatology. To address minority representation in dermatology and to develop a more diverse pool of applicants for dermatology residency programs, our department initiated a Michigan Dermatology Pipeline Program in Fall 2019 in order to attract under-represented minorities to a career in dermatology.
The Dermatology Pipeline Program is tailored for underrepresented in medicine (URM) pre-clinical UM medical students who have an interest in dermatology. Our program provides formal mentorship, hands-on teaching, clinical exposure, global networking, and research opportunities. Increasing the amount of diversity amongst dermatologists will allow for improved representation of the patient populations we serve, thereby reducing dermatologic health disparities.
About the Program
Formal mentorship: Students will be paired with a dermatology resident to serve as their mentor throughout the program, with a faculty mentor assigned to each pair.
Didactic and hands-on teaching: Clinical skills training with surgical sessions covering biopsy techniques, basic suturing and cryotherapy, as well as skin of color clinical training and didactic teaching.
Clinical practice and exposure: Students will work with their resident mentor in clinic, with possible opportunities to shadow in the Mohs surgery unit and/or inpatient consult service.
Global networking: A guest seminar on topics on skin of color in dermatology will provide students opportunity to interact with a national leader in the field.
Research opportunities: Students who show substantial interest or participate in research projects within the department may have opportunity to attend the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) (potentially virtual) annual meeting.
Additional experiences: Opportunity to attend research and diagnostic conferences, and possibility to shadow faculty in clinic, volunteer in free clinics and other non-academic events.
Michigan Medicine and University of Michigan Resources
- Office for Health, Equity and Inclusion
- Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan
- Office for Institutional Equity
- The Spectrum Center
