Visiting Medical Students

Dermatology Elective Opportunities  

DERM 732 – Dermatology Elective – 5 credits  
PROGRAM DIRECTOR:  Jennie T. Clarke, M.D.
LOCATION:  Hershey
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS:  4
WHEN OFFERED:  All rotations
LENGTH OF ELECTIVE:  1 month
PREREQUISITE:  Third Year Medicine Clerkship
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT:  Kim Spangler, Residency Program Coordinator
717-531-0003 x283481 or kspangler@hmc.psu.edu
TIME AND LOCATION:  7:45 a.m.; Suite 4300 – UPC II for short orientation.

DESCRIPTION:  This elective is designed to provide the student with an extensive, in-depth exposure to clinical dermatology.  They will be involved, in a primary way, in the evaluation and management of patients in the dermatology clinics.  Students will also be provided the opportunity to do the initial evaluation of the inpatient consults and will participate in the management of the dermatology inpatients.  Students attend the daily dermatology rounds, as well as dermatology conferences.  This is a four-week block with a maximum of 4 students at any given time.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  The goals of this elective are for the student to:

• Become fluent in the description of skin diseases.
• Develop differential diagnosis of skin diseases.
• Become acquainted with dermatologic therapies.
• Know when to refer to a Dermatologist.

COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:  Attend clinics and conference rounds.  See patients efficiently and appropriately.  Read “Principles of Dermatology” and “Atlas of Differential Diagnosis in Dermatology”.

DERM 732A – Derm/Pathology – 5 credits  
PROGRAM DIRECTORS:  Klaus F. Helm, M.D. and Michael D. Ioffreda, M.D.
LOCATION:  Hershey  
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS:  2
WHEN OFFERED:  All rotations
LENGTH OF ELECTIVE:  1 month
PREREQUISITE:  Third year core clerkships
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT:  Kim Spangler, Residency Program Coordinator
717-531-0003 x283481 or kspangler@hmc.psu.edu
TIME AND LOCATION:  8:00 a.m., UPC II, Room 4200B for journal club.  

DESCRIPTION:  Intended for students who are pursuing a career in Dermatology or Pathology, the course involves studying the pathology of cutaneous disorders.  At a multi-headed microscope, the students will observe “sign out” of skin biopsies obtained in outpatient and inpatient settings that are performed by Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons, Ophthalmologists and Family Practitioners.  Students will have the opportunity to preview cases on their own and are expected to do so with the aid of Dermatopathologists, ideally a project that can be feasibly completed within the one month-long rotation and lead to publication.  By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to diagnose common skin lesions on their own, which will be assessed by questioning at the microscope.  This course complements what is learned in Dermatology and Pathology rotations.  This is a four-week block, with a maximum of two students at any given time.