Cleveland Clinic Foundation Program

The Dermatopathology Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic is a one-year program designed to provide advanced training in the interpretation and diagnosis of a broad spectrum of dermatopathologic diseases, with an emphasis on inflammatory diseases, soft tissue tumors, lymphomas, and pigmented lesions. This multidisciplinary fellowship combines resources from both the dermatology and pathology departments, fostering a collaborative environment among trainees.

The program typically admits three fellows each year, with at least one fellow from a dermatology background and one from pathology. The third position can be filled by applicants from either residency track, promoting diverse perspectives and collaborative learning among the fellows. This exposure allows for a rich educational experience, encouraging fellows to share insights from their varied training backgrounds.

Training and Rotations

Fellows engage in three main services within the fellowship:

• Inside Service: This service integrates a higher volume of cases, combining both complex and routine cases. Sign-out is conducted at an 18-headed microscope in the Dermatology Department, involving pathology and dermatology residents as well as visiting students.
• Outside Service: This service deals with complex consultation cases, including outside wet tissue and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies, and is conducted at a multi-headed microscope in the Pathology Department.
• Consultation Service: This includes a lower volume of high complexity consultation cases primarily referred to a specific attending. Sign-out occurs in the staff’s office.

Fellows benefit from direct interaction and teaching from a diverse cadre of dermatopathology faculty, including pathology-trained and dermatology-trained experts. They are treated as junior faculty and responsible for managing cases, facilitating learning experiences where they preview cases in the morning and discuss findings with staff in the afternoon. This model promotes independence, responsibility, and professionalism amongst the fellows.

Educational Opportunities

The fellowship emphasizes active learning and continuous feedback, with many teaching opportunities available. Fellows serve as key points of contact for rotating residents and contribute to a well-regarded weekly dermatopathology lecture series directed at dermatology and pathology residents. Furthermore, involvement in research is a key aspect of this fellowship. Fellows are required to engage in research projects, ultimately presenting their findings at national meetings, such as the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), or United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP).

Application Requirements

Applicants to the Dermatopathology Fellowship must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency program in Anatomic Pathology or Dermatology. The program attracts competitive candidates, including both US and international medical graduates. Furthermore, the fellowship is friendly to DOs and international medical graduates (IMGs), which may be beneficial for diverse applicants. The program does offer visa sponsorship for eligible candidates, specifically for J-1 and H-1B visas, aligning with its commitment to accepting international fellows.

While there are no strict cut-offs for application submission, candidates are encouraged to apply early due to the program’s competitive nature and limited positions.

Facilities and Faculty

Cleveland Clinic is recognized globally for its high-quality medical education and excellence in patient care. The dermatopathology faculty comprise experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in their areas of expertise. Their commitment to teaching ensures that fellows receive hands-on learning experiences across a wide variety of dermatopathologic cases.

The Cleveland Clinic also has a collaborative environment where fellows are encouraged to network and learn from a variety of disciplines within the institution, enhancing their overall fellowship experience.