The Moffitt/USF Dermatopathology fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship, funded by the Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) and administered by University of South Florida (USF) Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, with close collaborations with the Cutaneous Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center and the USF Department of Pathology and Cell Biology. It is open to any applicants who have completed either a pathology or dermatology residency and have a demonstrated interest in the clinical, educational, and/or research aspects of the field.

Established in 2004, the fellowship draws from the complementary strengths of the Dermatopathology services at its three participating institutions and comprises of a one year of clinical Dermatopathology with the option of an additional one year of research. At MCC, the fellow is exposed to a highly specialized practice with experts in diagnosis and treatment of melanoma (approximately 1,500 patients/year), Merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous sarcoma, and cutaneous lymphoma. At USF, the high volume Dermatopathology service is responsible for interpreting biopsies from approximately 15,000 patients/year, comprising a well-rounded patient mix of inflammatory disease and neoplasms. At the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Dermatopathology comprises a large portion of the anatomic pathology volume (approximately 8,000 cases/year). The fellow acquires skills by a combination of active participation in sign-out with pre-reading of cases, teaching of pathology and dermatology residents as well as surgical oncology fellows, coverage of MCC Cutaneous Oncology Multidisciplinary Conference and didactic teaching by faculty. The optional research year is intercalated with the clinical experience.

Our mission is to produce graduates who provide expert, safe dermatopathologic care to all patients with neoplastic and inflammatory cutaneous disease and are committed to dissemination of, and addition to the body of knowledge in the field. Our program aims are as follows:

1. Provide the fellow with broad exposure to all facets of clinical dermatopathology through evaluation and workup of cases, didactic teaching, and clinical exposure at three participating institutions with diverse patient populations.
2. Engage the fellow in a variety of educational activities and responsibilities with learners at various levels from a variety of specialties.
3. Support and mentor the fellow in performing at least one research project for presentation at a national meeting and subsequent peer-reviewed publication.
4. Foster a collegial atmosphere of inclusiveness, respect, and professionalism for patients, their families, and colleagues that enhances learning and prepares the fellow for independent practice.

Program Director

Jane L. Messina, MD

Program Director, Dermatopathology Fellowship

USF Dermatopathology Laboratory

12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 79

Tampa, FL 33612

Phone: 813.974.3744 Fax: 813.974.0337

Email: jmessina@usf.edu

Number of Fellows

One fellow is accepted annually for the fellowship.

Sites of Training

• Primary site of training: Moffitt Cancer Center
• Secondary sites of training: USF Dermatopathology Laboratory, USF Medical Clinic, James A. Haley VA Hospital

Training Experience

This fellowship is open to physicians who have completed either Dermatology or Pathology residency. ACGME standards for this accredited fellowship mandate different training requirements depending on the fellow's background. All fellows are required to spend the first four months full-time in Dermatopathology. Dermatologists are required to spend the remaining eight months in Dermatopathology/surgical and cytopathology (split time 50%); pathologists must spend the remaining eight months in Dermatopathology/clinical dermatology (split time 50%). Each fellow is required to complete a manuscript for submission and peer review. Funds are available to support education and travel expenses.

Dermatology-Trained Fellows

After the initial four months training in full-time Dermatopathology, dermatology-trained fellows are required to spend half of each day of the remaining eight months in Dermatopathology, and the other half of the day in surgical pathology. The fellow spends six of these months at MCC and two at VA, taking part in morning Dermatopathology sign-out and afternoon surgical pathology sign-out. Surgical pathology training includes time spent in grossing, frozen section, surgical pathology and cytopathology sign-out.

Pathology-Trained Fellows

After the initial four months training in full-time Dermatopathology, pathology-trained fellows are required to spend half of each day of the remaining eight months in Dermatopathology and the other half of the day in dermatology clinic. The fellow spends 2.5 days per week in clinical care, and 2.5 days in dermatopathology. The fellow spends five months at MCC, five months at USF, and two months at the VA.

Research

Research projects are customized to fellow’s career goals and prior experience, and may comprise experiences ranging from case series, book chapter/review manuscripts, to bench research with faculty of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center of Excellence at Moffitt.

Sample Contract

Salary and Benefits

Additional Resources

Click here to view the Dermatopathology Fellowship Handbook.

Graduate Medical Education Resident/Fellow Handbook, 2020-2021

To Submit an Application

Interested applicants should submit a completed application form, CV, and three letters of reference, including one from their residency program director, 24 months in advance of anticipated start date to:

Laura Cessna, MS.Ed.
Academic Program Administrator & Fellowship Coordinator
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. , MDC 79
Tampa , FL 33612
Phone: 813-974-3070
Fax: 813-974-4272
Email: lcessna1@usf.edu