David P. Smith Professor of Dermatology and Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology and Plastic); Section Chief, Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology
Advanced Dermatologic Surgery Post-Graduate Fellowship
Overview
The section of Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology within the Department of Dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine sponsors a one-year, ACGME-approved fellowship in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology. Graduates of the program are eligible and prepared to be board certified in the Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery subspecialty.
Founded in 1988 by David Leffell, MD, the Section has grown to become the largest cutaneous surgery program in New England. Close collaborative relationships exist with the sections of plastic surgery, otolaryngology, oculoplastic surgery, medical oncology, and radiation therapy. The Section serves a catchment area of more than 3 million people. The faculty see patients from outside the primary catchment area, including international patients and regional dermatologists, plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, and ophthalmologists refer most of the patients we treat. As a university-based academic training program, there is a focus on education and training, clinical excellence, and research. Substantial research databases exist, which include access to clinical images.
Within the training program, fellows have an opportunity to function on an increasingly independent basis. More than 3,000 Mohs micrographic surgery cases are performed on an annual basis. Early-stage melanoma and melanoma in situ are managed with both excision and Mohs surgery, and represent an important opportunity for the fellow to have the broadest exposure in cutaneous oncology. Training in surgical reconstruction is an integral part of the fellowship, as most of the Mohs defects are repaired in the Mohs Unit at the time of cancer removal.
In addition to Mohs surgery, an important component of the fellowship is training in procedural aesthetic dermatology, employing a broad range of lasers, injectables, and other approaches to management of the aging face, scars, and other conditions amenable to procedural intervention.
Facilities
The surgery is conducted in the Temple Medical Building at 40 Temple Street, Suite 5A. The outpatient surgical facilities, which are under the autonomous direction of the Department of Dermatology, are fully equipped.
Program Information
Prerequisites
The fellowship is open to any physician who has completed a full residency (ABMS-approved) and is at least board-eligible in dermatology. Candidates must have documented superior performance in their residency, especially with respect to patient care. A successful candidate will be intellectually curious beyond that normally expected in a resident. The ability to get along with peers and support staff is a prerequisite for a program that is intensive and depends heavily on close professional relationships. Excellent basic surgical skills are required.
Philosophy
The fellowship is geared towards the dermatologist who is strongly considering a career in academic medicine. We believe that the multidisciplinary approach essential to the success of a cutaneous oncologist physician is pursued best in an academic environment. It is hoped that the fellow will obtain sufficient training in clinical medicine and research techniques so that he or she may contribute to further expansion of knowledge in the field. The breadth of training in surgery, oncology, and pathology are intended to make the fellow a skilled, highly-specialized physician.
Salary
Salary will be commensurate with the fellow's PGY status.
Curriculum
The majority of the fellow’s training consists of assisting and performing surgical procedures under direct supervision of program faculty. The fellow is given the opportunity to work with Drs. Leffell, Christensen and Suozzi, performing Mohs surgery and reconstruction 4-5 days per week. In addition, fellows may attend the operating room to observe reconstructions by colleagues in plastic surgery, head and neck, and oculoplastic surgery. All aspects of cutaneous oncology are emphasized during fellowship training, including excising and grossing Mohs stages, tissue mapping, pathology interpretation, wound healing and reconstruction, adjuvant and systemic treatment of advanced malignancies, coordination of multidisciplinary care, and management of skin cancer and melanoma in high-risk patients.
The fellow receives training through the Aesthetic Dermatology Program. Training includes extensive experience with a broad range of lasers and devices. The fellow will learn to treat a variety of conditions, including but not limited to scars, sun-damaged skin, vascular and pigmented birthmarks, rosacea, acne scarring, tattoo removal, hair removal, and others. The fellow also works with injectables, including neuromodulators and a range of soft tissue fillers.
In addition to hands-on training and mentorship in the surgical suite, a didactic lecture series provides additional education on surgical anatomy and complications, advanced reconstruction with local and interpolated flaps, skin grafts, nail surgery (including a practical session in cadaver lab), and lasers and aesthetic dermatology. Dermatologic Surgery Journal Club meets four times a year to review classic and cutting-edge developments in the literature. The Dermatologic Surgery Section Morbidity Conference meets a minimum of twice a year to review challenging cases.
The fellow is expected to have an academic and research interest, and there is ample opportunity to develop teaching skills. In addition to mentoring trainees that rotate through the Mohs Unit, the fellow serves as supervising attending to trainees. Each fellow is mentored in a research project that can meaningfully contribute to the specialty.
Institutional, regional and national conferences are important elements of the training program. Weekly institutional conferences include Dermatology Grand Rounds, Dermatopathology conference, Head and Neck Tumor Board, and Melanoma Tumor Board. The fellow attends and participates in these conferences as appropriate throughout the year. The fellow attends the American College of Mohs Surgery Annual Meeting each year, as well as other regional and national scientific conferences to present research findings.
Faculty
Associate Professor of Dermatology; Director of Resident Education in Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology; Director of Dermatologic Surgery at Yale Dermatology-Branford, Dermatology
Staff
Nurse Manager - Dermatologic Surgery; Nurse Manager, Yale Dermatologic Surgery
Selected Faculty and Fellows Publications
Journal Publications
2023
- Needs and Gaps in Resident Trainee Education, Clinical Patient Care, and Clinical Research in Cosmetic Dermatology: Position Statement of the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology.Minkis K, Bolotin D, Council ML, Bar A, Farah RS, Kibbi N, Miest RYN, Orringer JS, Ortiz A, Suozzi KC, Vashi NA, Yoo SS, Albrecht J, Blalock TW, Bruce AJ, Deng M, Desai S, Eshaq M, Fiessinger LA, Ghareeb E, Greywal T, Hebert AA, Hooper D, Hordinsky M, Hu JC, Jibbe A, Joo J, Kelly KM, Kenkare S, Khetarpal S, Kole LCS, Kourosh AS, Kuhn H, Lee KC, Lucas R, Luke J, Mafee M, Mayo TT, Nawas ZY, Olasz Harken EB, Pearlstein MV, Petronic-Rosic V, Robinson CA, Rogge MN, Saikaly SK, Schenck OL, Schlick CA, Shahabi L, Shipp DM, Shive M, Silapunt S, Stratman EJ, Sulewski R, Suggs AK, Tolaymat L, Ward KHM, Weinstein Velez M, Zeichner J, Kang BY, Ibrahim SA, Christensen RE, Anvery N, Dirr MA, Lawrence N, Alam M. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Aug; 2022 Dec 3. PMID: 36463367.
- The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology: improving cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.Minkis K, Bolotin D, Council ML, Bar A, Farah RS, Kibbi N, Miest RYN, Orringer JS, Ortiz A, Suozzi KC, Vashi NA, Yoo SS, Albrecht J, Blalock TW, Bruce AJ, Deng M, Desai S, Eshaq M, Fiessinger LA, Ghareeb E, Greywal T, Hebert AA, Hooper D, Hordinsky M, Hu JC, Jibbe A, Joo J, Kelly KM, Kenkare S, Khetarpal S, Kole LCS, Kourosh AS, Kuhn H, Lee KC, Lucas R, Luke J, Mafee M, Mayo TT, Nawas ZY, Olasz Harken EB, Pearlstein MV, Petronic-Rosic V, Robinson CA, Rogge MN, Sachs DL, Saikaly SK, Schenck OL, Schlick CA, Shahabi L, Shipp DM, Shive M, Silapunt S, Suggs AK, Tolaymat L, Ward KHM, Weinstein Velez M, Zeichner J, Kang BY, Ibrahim SA, Christensen RE, Anvery N, Dirr MA, Lawrence N, Alam M. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Jul; 2022 Dec 2. PMID: 36456760.
- Picosecond neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy for pigmentation due to lichen planus pigmentosus in a patient with skin of color.Belzer A, Swallow MA, Gowen M, Suozzi KC. JAAD Case Rep. 2023 Apr; 2023 Feb 13. PMID: 36936863.
- Infraorbital Nerve Injury and Anesthesia After Facial Soft Tissue Filler Injection.Wang J, Park SM, Suozzi K. Dermatol Surg. 2023 Apr 1; 2023 Mar 8. PMID: 36892551.
- Truncal Acne and Scarring: A Comprehensive Review of Current Medical and Cosmetic Approaches to Treatment and Patient Management.Daniele SG, Kim SR, Grada A, Moore AY, Suozzi KC, Bunick CG. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2023 Mar; 2022 Dec 20. PMID: 36539678.
- Pathologic Foreign Body Reaction to Poly-l-Lactic Acid and Polylactide/Glycolide Suture Micro-suspension in a Minimally Invasive Facial Lifting Procedure.Wang J, Suozzi K, Lewis AB. Dermatol Surg. 2023 Feb 1; 2022 Dec 22. PMID: 36728075.
- Factors affecting outcomes of second intent healing of nasal defects after Mohs micrographic surgery.Kim DN, Kibbi N, Christensen SR, Leffell DJ, Suozzi KC. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 Jan; 2022 Feb 2. PMID: 35112163.
2022
- Artificial intelligence in the detection of skin cancer.Beltrami EJ, Brown AC, Salmon PJM, Leffell DJ, Ko JM, Grant-Kels JM. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Dec; 2022 Aug 23. PMID: 35998842.
- Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery.Labadie JG, Ibrahim SA, Worley B, Kang BY, Rakita U, Rigali S, Arndt KA, Bernstein E, Brauer JA, Chandra S, Didwania A, DiGiorgio C, Donelan M, Dover JS, Galadari H, Geronemus RG, Goldman MP, Haedersdal M, Hruza G, Ibrahimi OA, Kauvar A, Kelly KM, Krakowski AC, Miest R, Orringer JS, Ozog DM, Ross EV, Shumaker PR, Sobanko JF, Suozzi K, Taylor MB, Teng JMC, Uebelhoer NS, Waibel J, Wanner M, Ratchev I, Christensen RE, Poon E, Miller CH, Alam M. JAMA Dermatol. 2022 Oct 1. PMID: 35976634.
- An enlarging painful nodule on the upper portion of the thigh.Mirza FN, Tattersall IW, Rao AK, Suozzi KC, Totonchy MB. JAAD Case Rep. 2022 May; 2022 Mar 31. PMID: 35495977.
- Clinical factors impacting clear margins of primary melanoma in situ with conventional excision in a retrospective cohort.Olamiju B, Suozzi KC, Leffell DJ, Christensen SR. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Apr; 2021 Apr 20. PMID: 33848603.
- Development of Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in facial cosmetic procedures: Botulinum toxin neuromodulator and soft-tissue filler injection.Suozzi KC, Kibbi N, Lee KC, Worley B, Furlan KC, Kang BY, Ibrahim SA, Poon E, Alam M. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Feb; 2021 Sep 6. PMID: 34499988.
2021
- Guidelines of care for the management of actinic keratosis.Eisen DB, Asgari MM, Bennett DD, Connolly SM, Dellavalle RP, Freeman EE, Goldenberg G, Leffell DJ, Peschin S, Sligh JE, Wu PA, Frazer-Green L, Malik S, Schlesinger TE. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Oct; 2021 Apr 2. PMID: 33820677.
- Meeting Dermatologic Needs in an Uninsured Population: Lessons Learned from a Referrals Cohort at a Student-Run Free Clinic.Mirza FN, Valladares HC, Richards B, Suozzi KC. Yale J Biol Med. 2021 Sep; 2021 Sep 30. PMID: 34602883.
- Predicting outcomes following second intent healing of periocular surgical defects.Kibbi N, Khan Y, Leffell DJ, Christensen SR, Suozzi KC. Arch Dermatol Res. 2021 Aug; 2020 Aug 24. PMID: 32833078.
- Association of Treatment Facility Characteristics With Overall Survival After Mohs Micrographic Surgery for T1a-T2a Invasive Melanoma.Cheraghlou S, Christensen SR, Leffell DJ, Girardi M. JAMA Dermatol. 2021 May 1. PMID: 33787836.
- A Histopathologic Scoring System for Perineural Invasion Correlates With Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.Totonchy MB, McNiff JM, Suozzi KC, Leffell DJ, Christensen SR. Dermatol Surg. 2021 Apr 1. PMID: 33795563.
- Treatment of angiolupoid sarcoidosis with tofacitinib ointment 2% and pulsed dye laser therapy.Singh K, Wang A, Heald P, McNiff JM, Suozzi K, King B, Leventhal J, Damsky W. JAAD Case Rep. 2021 Jan; 2020 Dec 1. PMID: 33426249.
2020
- Photodynamic therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ: Impact of anatomic location, tumor diameter, and incubation time on effectiveness.Kibbi N, Zhang Y, Leffell DJ, Christensen SR. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 May; 2019 Nov 8. PMID: 31712171.
- An Algorithm for Evaluating Challenging Lip Cases: Neoplastic Versus Inflammatory.Kibbi N, Christensen SR, Ko CJ, Suozzi KC. Dermatol Surg. 2020 May. PMID: 30893183.
- Cutaneous Photoprotection: A Review of the Current Status and Evolving Strategies.Suozzi K, Turban J, Girardi M. Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Mar; 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32226337.
2019
- Optical Spectroscopy as a Method for Skin Cancer Risk Assessment.Rodriguez-Diaz E, Manolakos D, Christman H, Bonning MA, Geisse JK, A'Amar OM, Leffell DJ, Bigio IJ. Photochem Photobiol. 2019 Nov; 2019 Aug 24. PMID: 31287160.
- Hair follicle regeneration suppresses Ras-driven oncogenic growth.Pineda CM, Gonzalez DG, Matte-Martone C, Boucher J, Lathrop E, Gallini S, Fons NR, Xin T, Tai K, Marsh E, Nguyen DX, Suozzi KC, Beronja S, Greco V. J Cell Biol. 2019 Oct 7; 2019 Sep 5. PMID: 31488583.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lip in a Patient With Graft-Versus-Host Disease.Kibbi N, Suozzi KC, Ko CJ, Leffell DJ. Dermatol Surg. 2019 Jul. PMID: 31260417.
2018
- A case of subungual tumors of incontinentia pigmenti: A rare manifestation and association with bipolar disease.Kibbi N, Totonchy M, Suozzi KC, Ko CJ, Odell ID. JAAD Case Rep. 2018 Aug; 2018 Aug 17. PMID: 30167449.
2017
- Correction of aberrant growth preserves tissue homeostasis.Brown S, Pineda CM, Xin T, Boucher J, Suozzi KC, Park S, Matte-Martone C, Gonzalez DG, Rytlewski J, Beronja S, Greco V. Nature. 2017 Aug 17; 2017 Aug 2. PMID: 28783732.
2016
- Immune-related sarcoidosis observed in combination ipilimumab and nivolumab therapy.Suozzi KC, Stahl M, Ko CJ, Chiang A, Gettinger SN, Siegel MD, Bunick CG. JAAD Case Rep. 2016 May; 2016 Jul 14. PMID: 27486590.
- Dermatoneuro syndrome: A full recovery after a second episode.Liu A, Suozzi K, Hwang DY, Moeller JJ, Lazova R, DiCapua D. Neurol Clin Pract. 2016 Jun. PMID: 27347444.
2012
- Spectraplakins: master orchestrators of cytoskeletal dynamics.Suozzi KC, Wu X, Fuchs E. J Cell Biol. 2012 May 14. PMID: 22584905.
2010
- Glomangioma.Leger M, Patel U, Mandal R, Walters R, Cook K, Haimovic A, Franks AG Jr. Dermatol Online J. 2010 Nov 15; 2010 Nov 15. PMID: 21163162.
2008
- Treatments for genital warts.Cook K, Brownell I. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008 Aug. PMID: 18720702.
1996
- The role of the human homologue of Drosophila patched in sporadic basal cell carcinomas.Gailani MR, Ståhle-Bäckdahl M, Leffell DJ, Glynn M, Zaphiropoulos PG, Pressman C, Undén AB, Dean M, Brash DE, Bale AE, Toftgård R. Nat Genet. 1996 Sep. PMID: 8782823.
- Sunlight and sunburn in human skin cancer: p53, apoptosis, and tumor promotion.Brash DE, Ziegler A, Jonason AS, Simon JA, Kunala S, Leffell DJ. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 1996 Apr. PMID: 9627707.
Book Chapters
- Lewis A, Suozzi K. Alpha Hydroxy Acids. In: Wolverton SE, ed. Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy, 4th ed. Elsevier: Philadelphia, PA, 2021, pp. 595-581.
- Suozzi K. Procedural Dermatology. In: Leventhal J, Levy L, eds. Self-Assessment in Dermatology: Questions and Answers. Elsevier: Philadelphia, PA, 2019, pp. 15-16, 26-27, 44-45, 58-59, 75-76, 89-90, 107-108, 120-121, 140-141, 154-155, 171-172, 184-185.
- Cook K, Cuomo F. Upper Extremity Injuries in the Female Athlete. In: Scuderi GR, McCain, PD, eds. Sports Medicine: A Comprehensive Approach, 2nd ed. Mosby: Philadelphia, PA, 2005, pp. 432-442.
In Press
- Suozzi, K, Keller A, Miest, R. Reverses. In: Carruthers J, Carruthers A, eds. Soft Tissue Augmentation, 5th ed. Elsevier: Philadelphia, PA, 2022.