​Specialty: Dermatology/Pathology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 5

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Where the rotation will take place: You will be rotating through a practice within several miles of the world famous Texas Medical Center. 

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​Hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: You will work directly with a physician who is known to be a gifted educator and mentor. He holds faculty appointments at the following medical schools:

 

• Baylor College of Medicine (Associate Clinical Professor)

• McGovern Medical School at UT Health (Associate Clinical Professor)

• University of Texas Medical Branch (Clinical Professor)

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Through the years, he has been actively involved in the education of residents from Baylor, UT Houston, UTMB, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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Your mornings will be spent reviewing slides. ​You will have a microscope and two standard dermatopathology textbooks to use. In the first week, your focus will be on the normal histology of the skin and developing skills and confidence in naming and identifying the structures of the skin, including the layers that make up the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the different cell types, and skin appendages. In the following weeks, you will gain experience in differentiating normal from abnormal, developing differential diagnoses, and interpreting slides in the context of the patient's clinical presentation.

 

In the afternoon, you will participate in dermatopathology sign out with the attending and observing the grossing of specimens. In the office, you may have a chance to interact with other students, residents, and fellows. You may also have the opportunity to deliver talks and teach other team members.

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This physician is very much involved in research. So, for the motivated IMG, there will be opportunities to publish case reports or articles. He has over 180 publications on record at PubMed.

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Please note that you will be actively involved during this pathology experience. 

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You will receive regular feedback from the physician. 

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Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in pathology or dermatology should consider this rotation. IMGs pursuing residency training in primary care specialties will also find this rotation beneficial as skin problems are a common complaint in outpatient medicine. IMGs interested in building their CV through publication will be able to do so under the supervision of a prolific writer. 

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.