This ACVD residency program is designed to provide in-depth training in veterinary dermatology and related basic and applied sciences so that the resident develops a comprehensive knowledge of the dermatologic conditions of domestic animals during the 3 year residency program.
Requisites of the Resident
All ACVD residents must have the same general qualifications:
- Be a graduate of an approved veterinary college
- Have completed a one-year internship or satisfactory practice equivalency*
- Be approved to practice veterinary medicine in a state of the United States of America, province of Canada, or country of citizenship
- Be a member of a National Veterinary Medical Assoc.
- Be of satisfactory professional moral and ethical character.
*If the internship was not administered by the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians matching program a letter stating the dates of training; the names, addresses and phone numbers of the veterinarians trained with; and a description of the training, including problem solving must be submitted in the application. This must also be submitted by the resident to the ACVD Education Committee at the time of registration.
Scope of the Residency Program
- The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine offers a one year of graduate education (MS) followed by three year full-time residency program in Dermatology. During the first year, the resident will be attending graduate level classes, work on his/her research project, and work on his/her thesis. After the first year, the resident will start his/her clinical residency. During the clinical residency, the residents spend approximately 9 out of 12 months each year in the dermatology service; 2 & ½ months are off-clinic time for the resident to work on research projects, study for board preparation, and/or as “elective” periods; 15 days are allocated for annual leave. During the three year residency, the resident may rotate through small animal medicine or the resident may feel it advantageous to take monthly rotations through either of the following services: neurology, cardiology, oncology, zoo medicine, or large animal medicine. Other open periods of time is devoted to completion of the residency project. Exchange periods with other institutions are encouraged and limited funding may be available to assist.
- Dermatology has clinic receiving on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays each week. Veterinary students (4-6) have two week rotations in dermatology. Dermatology rounds are held each clinic day from 8-9a.m. with students. Discharges follow. Dermatology residents share the responsibility for in-house consults.
- Group functions in dermatology include journal club weekly, dermatopathology viewing at the multi-headed scope weekly, chapter review of a textbook weekly, and a shared dermatopathology seminar monthly.
- Within the College, resident seminars are given weekly throughout the academic year. Each dermatology resident is expected to present case reports or lecturing on a specific topic once every year, and these presentations are designed not only to present known material, but to encourage independent thought and discussion on the given subject.
- Each resident is encouraged to develop teaching skills through instruction of junior and senior students in clinics and through a few annual hours of lecture. Each dermatology resident is also asked to give at least one hour of lecture in the senior elective dermatology course. Additional opportunities for participating in continuing education seminars, talks to kennel club groups, etc. are available for the resident who wishes to participate.
- The University of Florida – College of Medicine has a dermatology residency training program and faculty members who have willingly interacted with our group. They have included us in their weekly rounds and there are opportunities to attend seminars, lectures and patient viewing to gain knowledge regarding the comparative aspects of dermatology. Constant interaction with a human dermatologist, Dr. Anna De Benedetto, is present during journal club and for comparative research projects/ideas.
Resident Selection Procedure
Residents are recruited from internship programs or private practices. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent is a prerequisite. Small Animal Medicine faculty and residents evaluate the application pool and final selection of the resident is done via the Veterinary Intern/Resident Matching Program (VIRMP).
Selection will be based on:
- VIRMP Application
- Veterinary School Official Transcript from University Registrar
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- 3 – 4 Standardized Letters of Reference