Dermatology Residency Program

Mission statement

The LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Dermatology Residency Program's mission is to develop the next generation of physicians and physician leaders.

As a part of HCA Healthcare, we are driven by a single mission: Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.

This program is designed to offer residents a rewarding, educational environment where they are provided individualized learning opportunities by faculty and staff who support and sustain one another throughout quality care delivery. Our faculty is committed to ensuring the residents' clinical experience and educational needs are fulfilled while expanding their perspectives to be inclusive of cultures, values and ideals.

About our program

The Dermatology Residency Program has six residents, two PGY2, two PGY3 and two PGY4. The program is linked to the Lewis-Gale Hospital Montgomery Transitional Year program which allows for a seamless transition from transitional year to dermatology. Both programs are ACGME accreditated.

The program boasts a solid faculty team. Many of our core faculty members graduated from our program and have been teaching dermatology residents for several years. Core faculty are dedicated to teaching, mentoring and encouraging residents to become the best possible physicians they can be. Each resident is assigned a faculty mentor upon entering the program. Mentors provide one on one support to their residents and serve as a guide throughout their residency.

All of our graduate medical education (GME) programs come together annually for a formal resident wellness retreat. This retreat is held off-campus and allows for team building and socialization between all residents. Additionally, we host wellness events quarterly. Beyond the GME-sponsored events, residents gather together informally on a regular basis and celebrate together as often as possible!

Program details

Conference schedule

We offer a rigorous and robust curriculum including didactics, grand rounds and morning report meetings.

Didactics

Residents assigned to local rotations participate in local didactics on Mondays. Resident’s weekly didactic schedule includes a review of designated reading from dermatology textbooks; review of pharmacology, faculty lectures, and kodachromes; and review of pediatric dermatology reading from Hurwitz textbook; students/resident presentations; and review of dermatopathology unknown slides.

Unless on rotation at PRW or UVA, all residents attend Carilion Clinic Dermatology surgical lectures monthly.

Grand rounds

In addition to local Grand Rounds, residents participate in quarterly Grand Rounds with Carilion Clinic.

Morning report

Morning Report is held on Fridays from 7:00am to 8:00am. The discussion addresses important aspects of the history and physical examination, formulation of a complete differential diagnosis, and management of the disease process for the individual patient.

In order to effectively discuss each case, the presenter should prepare to answer pertinent questions concerning the patient's workup, including lab values and test results. Any available pathology studies or slides should be brought to the presentation when possible.

The presenter should have detailed knowledge about the patient's diagnosis and management. This is not intended to be a morbidity and mortality conference; however, the residents should prepare to defend their decisions and reasoning. Attendance at morning report meetings is required for all residents on site.

Our Program Director

Chad Johnston, DO

Leadership and faculty

Our team is comprised of skilled experts with deep experience and knowledge from which residents can benefit.

Our residents work with experienced faculty in a very robust program.

Program Director

• Chad Johnston, DO, FAAD

Program Administrator

• Donna Underwood, MBA, MS

Core Faculty

• Aleksandra Brown, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, Asst Program Director, River Ridge Dermatology
• Craig Garofola, DO, FAAD, River Ridge Dermatology
• Jared Brackenrich, DO, River Ridge Dermatology
• Luke Godwin, DO, River Ridge Dermatology
• Dave Rowe, MD, Dermatopathologist, PRW Laboratories, Charlottesville, VA

Curriculum and rotation schedule

The residency program teaches the basic classification of diseases and the pharmacodynamics of the various therapeutic agents as they relate or apply to the field of dermatology.

The clinical protocol includes recognition and treatment during the chronological progression of the integumentary system, i.e., the neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric cycles of life to provide total health care delivery as it relates to dermatology and dermatologic physical modalities.

In addition to basic requirements, the program prepares the resident in:

• Gross and histodermatopathology
• Therapeutic radiology and phototherapy
• Medical mycology
• Allergy and immunology
• Dermatologic surgery and oncology
• Medical dermatology
• Dermatologic physical modalities

As the resident acquires skills in diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the skin, we provide progressive experience and increasing responsibility in patient care throughout the training period under the supervision of the program director.

The curriculum includes instruction on special dermatological diagnostic and surgical techniques and other such modalities that are in current use. We also include in-patient dermatology to allow the resident to develop the skills necessary to perform standard consultations. The curriculum evolves in response to the rapidly changing and increasing knowledge base in dermatology.

Salary information

• Daily Reports
• Grand Rounds
• Journal Club
• Simulation
• Affiliations & Benefits
• Beyond GME: Our Community Amenities
• Medical Training License
• Insurance
• Leave
• Technology Devices
• Memberships, Subscriptions and exams
• Meals/Snacks
• White Coats
• Parking
• EAP
• Resident Call Rooms
• AAD Conference Fees Supplemented
• Research Coordinator on site