Residents who are in good standing may apply to participate in our clinician educator track. Residents interested in pursuing this specialized track should declare their interest during their first or early second year of dermatology training. The Duke Department of Dermatology has a special interest in developing academic dermatologists and in encouraging our residents to pursue careers as clinician educators and researchers.
The clinician educator track prepares our residents to attain positions in academia such as residency program directors and clinician educators. It focuses on providing a solid foundation in teaching, administration, clinical dermatology, and clinical research. Each track is individualized and will be designed by a committee consisting of the resident, a faculty mentor, the residency program director, and the department chair. Residents who pursue this track will be provided with close mentorship to aid in their career development.
At Duke, we have ample opportunities available for residents who strive to become clinician educators and academic dermatologists. Examples of options that may be incorporated into an individual’s training plan include:
- Specialty clinics to develop an academic niche
- Elective time to develop an academic niche
- Participation in clinical research
- Publication of dermatology case reports, case series, reviews, and original research on the local, regional and national level
- Poster and oral presentations at the local, regional and national level
- Course and conference participation relevant to career development at Duke and beyond (Feagin leadership scholars, Dermatology Teachers Exchange Group, SID leadership seminar, ACGME conferences, clinical epidemiology, statistics)
- Participation in dermatology and medical education committees on the local, regional and national level
- Clinical teaching of medical students and primary care residents
- Medical student and primary care resident dermatology curriculum design and administration
- Medical student and primary care lectures (outside of our department)
- Other great ideas will be considered
We are very excited about our clinician educator track. This program is individualized to allow trainees to pursue their own specialized interests and build the strong foundation that they need to become successful clinician educators and academic dermatologists.