Diversity VIP Scholarship Application

UAB Department of Dermatology is committed to supporting a diverse population of dermatologists to meet the needs of our city and state. We understand that an essential way to meet this goal is to support the education of medical students who are interested in dermatology as well as working with diverse populations and addressing health disparities. Thus, we are excited to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Diversity VIP (Visiting Student Preceptorship) Scholarship to support a visiting rotation at UAB Dermatology.

The Rotation

This two to four week visiting rotation at UAB Dermatology will provide medical students in their 4th year with intensive clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of skin disease for those interested in pursuing dermatology as a career. It will include the following:

1. Daily attendance in assigned clinics (these clinics could include general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, pediatric dermatology, the dermatology consult service, and other subspecialty clinics.)
2. Attendance at weekly didactic sessions including Grand Rounds and Kodachromes
3. Presentation of a dermatologic topic of interest at the end of rotation
4. Meetings with an assigned faculty advisor

The Stipend

Each recipient of the scholarship will receive a $1,000 stipend to help cover travel, housing, and other living expenses.

Application Requirements

1. A completed application through the VLSO platform. This will include uploading
   1. current medical school transcript
   2. current CV
   3. USMLE Step 1 Score Report or COMPLEX Score Report
2. One letter of recommendation
3. A completed secondary application accessed here. 
4. Submit the application and letter of recommendation in pdf form to ashleyvfoster@uabmc.edu. Please indicate in the same email confirmation that your VSLO application is complete.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2024.

Testimonials

Jessica Brown-Korsah, Case Western Reserve University:
"I spent most of my time with the residents and attendings at the Whitaker clinic. The distance patients went to visit a dermatologist at UAB and UAB's dedication to serving the socioeconomically and racially diverse population struck me. Only one academic dermatology center exists in Alabama, and thus patients from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and even Florida would come to the clinic where UAB was able to offer them optimism. In my time off exploring Birmingham, I took the chance to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The food choices and lively places were also wonderful. The banana pudding, the pleasant weather, and the kind people will all be missed!"