RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Overview
Our Division of Dermatology was founded in 1980 when Dr. Billy Jones joined East Carolina University School of Medicine as its first full-time dermatologist. Pathology training is provided by Dr. Kim Park (pathology-trained dermatopathologist) and Dr. Robert Schosser (dermatology-trained dermatopathologist), offering a well-rounded approach. Dr. Charles Phillips was an internist prior to pursuing dermatology, offering unique perspectives in medical dermatology, and is the division chief. Dr William Burke is a general dermatologist and is program director. Dr. Jennifer Defazio offers excellent training in dermatologic surgery.
Our three-year residency program in Dermatology welcomed our first two residents in July 2004. The program offers broad-based training in general dermatology, surgical dermatology, dermatopathology, teledermatology, laboratory dermatology and cosmetic dermatology in order to prepare residents for board eligibility in Dermatology. Conferences for dermatology residents are held daily.
Resident responsibilities
Each resident is on call from home an average of one week out of every six weeks. Faculty are available at all times for backup.
During the course of the three-year program, residents assume progressively responsible leadership duties, including assisting faculty in the instruction of external residents, as well as instructing medical students.
A typical weekly schedule for a resident includes the following:
- 1 half-day procedure clinic in which the resident, with direct faculty supervision, may perform simple excisions, laser surgery, and cosmetic procedures;
- 6-7 half-days "attending clinics" in which the resident works directly with the dermatology attending;
- 2-3 half-days of academic time (e.g. research, special projects, etc.).
All residents will do a month-long rotation in dermatologic surgery their first year, and two months in their second and third years. All residents serve on the In-Patient Consultation Service for two months each year, on a rotating basis. Residents have reduced clinic responsibilities during consultation months. New hospital consultations average approximately 50 per month.
Conferences
- Each day has a 1-hour teaching conferences. Daily conferences include alternating Basic Science and Journal Club (Monday), Dermatopathology (Tuesday and Wednesday), Guest lectures (Thursday) and Kodachrome session (Friday).
- Dermatology Grand Rounds is held monthly.
- An interdepartmental Dermatology/Pathology clinical conference is held monthly.
- A Cutaneous Oncology Tumor board is held monthly.
- Resident textbook reviews occur Tuesday and Friday at noon conferences.
Pitt County Memorial Hospital
Pitt County Memorial Hospital, a 861-bed facility, is a tertiary referral center for 29 counties in eastern North Carolina. The hospital is the primary teaching site for the Brody School of Medicine.
Jointly with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Pitt County Memorial Hospital offers accredited residency and fellowship programs in a wide range of medical specialties. The hallmark of these programs is its emphasis on close, collegial relationships between faculty and residents in a challenging and diverse clinical environment.
Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University is the third largest of the 16 state universities in North Carolina. The Brody School of Medicine at ECU was established in 1975 and is guided by a philosophy calling for balanced emphasis on patient care, research and teaching programs for medical students and residents.
Current Residents
ECU Dermatology Residents 2009 (from left to right):
Dan Friedmann, Harris Green, Caroline Wooten, Andrew Ghassemian, Ginna Taylor, Todd Nelson
Third year
Andrew Ghassemian, M.D.
Hometown: Fayetteville NC
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical School: East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
Internship: Pitt County Memorial Hospital
Harris Green, M.D.
Hometown: Tallahassee FL
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Internship: East Tennessee State University
Second year
Todd Nelson, M.D.
Hometown: Arapahoe, NC
Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical School: East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine
Internship: Pitt County Memorial Hospital
Virginia "Ginna" Taylor, M.D.
Hometown: Conway, SC
Undergraduate: Clemson University
Medical School: University of South Carolina
Internship: University of South Carolina
First year
Daniel Friedmann, M.D.
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: University of Florida
Internship: University of Florida
Caroline Wooten, M.D.
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Undergraduate: University of South Carolina
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Internship: Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, SC
Graduated Residents
Laura Briley, M.D.
Private Practice; Raleigh, NC
Holly Shaffer, M.D.
Private Practice; Wilmington, NC
Andrea Waddell, M.D.
Private practice; Donalsonville, GA
Eric Howell, M.D.
Private practice; Greenville, NC
Kimberly Cayce, M.D.
Private practice; Columbia, MO
Christopher Scott, M.D.
Private practice; Charlottesville, VA
How to apply
The Division of Dermatology only accepts applications received through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Visit our FREIDA Online program information.
Interviews are by invitation only. For more information, please contact Dr. William A. Burke at:
Division of Dermatology
Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
600 Moye Blvd
Brody Medical Sciences 3E-117
Greenville, NC 27834
252.744.2555
Fax: 252.744.3047
