General Clinics
The General Dermatology Clinic is the setting where our residents evaluate, diagnose, manage and follow-up patients with a variety of dermatologic conditions. These clinics are held at different sites, including our outpatient clinics held at the San Juan City Hospital, UPR School of Medicine Outpatient Clinics, Carolina UPR Federico Trilla Hospital. The clinics start at 8:30 AM as scheduled. All patients referred to these clinics are seen by our residents under the supervision of the attending staff.
Psoriasis/Photobiology Clinic
In the Psoriasis/Photobiology Clinic the residents evaluate, diagnose and manage patients with psoriasis and cutaneous disease caused, precipitated or exacerbated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the residents evaluate and manage conditions which require phototherapy treatment. The main objective of the rotation is to learn the principles of photobiology and phototherapy. Residents are trained to use different available phototherapy units (UVA, nbUVB, UVA-1: both small and whole body units) for the treatment of various dermatologic conditions. Phototesting and photopatch testing will be done whenever indicated. This rotation is supplemented with a Photobiology Course every three years. The Psoriasis/Photobiology Clinic runs every Tuesday morning at The Clinic of the UPR School of Medicine
Lymphoma Clinic
The Lymphoma Clinic is dedicated to the diagnosis and management of patients with cutaneous lymphomas, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and patients with skin lesions of systemic lymphoma. In addition, patients with a possible diagnosis of lymphoma, such as pseudolymphomatous drug reactions, pseudolymphomas, pseudolymphomatous actinic dermatitis, lymphomatoid papulosis, among others, are evaluated and managed as well.
The clinic is held every Tuesday morning at the UPR School of Medicine Clinics, at the Medical Sciences Campus. A third year resident is assigned to this clinic, under the supervision of attending physicians, Dr. Rafael Martin.
Pediatric Dermatology Clinic
The Pediatric Dermatology Clinic is emphasizes on the care of children with dermatologic disorders since this population may present different manifestations that deserve special evaluation. The residents will develop a comprehensive knowledge of common and uncommon dermatologic conditions in neonates, infants and adolescents. This clinic is held every Friday afternoon at the UPR School of Medicine Clinics under the supervision of attending dermatologist with a subspecialty in Pediatric Dermatology, Dr. Francisco Colón
Tropical Diseases Clinic
The Tropical Disease Clinic is a special clinic designed for the diagnosis and management of patients with leprosy. This clinic is conducted at the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute of the Medical Sciences Campus UPR every other Wednesday at 9:15 AM. A resident, under the direct supervision of the attending physician, Dr. Aida Quintero, handles all cases of leprosy. Cases from all over the island, as well as from the Virgin Islands are followed at this clinic.
Patch Testing Clinic
The Patch Testing Clinic was established for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of patients with a possible or confirmed diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis. The clinic functions as a referral center for patients seen at our clinics and from those referred by dermatologists from all over the island. In this clinic, the technique of patch testing is used as the main diagnostic procedure to confirm the etiology of the skin condition. The clinic is held every Monday at the UPR School of Medicine Clinic under the supervision of Dr. Diana Valentin.
Procedural Dermatology Clinics:
The procedural dermatology clinics are devoted to the evaluation and care of patients with skin cancer or patients in need for skin surgical procedures such as excision of benign and malignant tumors, complicated skin biopsies, skin tissue cultures and nail procedures among others. There are several clinics dedicated to this endeavor: the Procedural Dermatology Clinic at The Clinic of the UPR School of Medicine Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoons supervised by Dr. Rafael Martin and Monday afternoons supervised by Dr. Alma Cruz.
Mohs’ Micrographic Surgery Clinic
The Mohs surgery clinic is devoted to the care of patients that need surgical excision by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), of biopsy-confirmed high-risk malignant neoplasms of the skin. Dr. Sheila M. Valentín supervises the Mohs surgery clinic at her private office in Carolina (Mondays) or at Outpatient Clinics of the UPR School of Medicine (Thursdays) starting at 8:00 am. Patients treated at the Mohs surgery clinic are mostly referred from other clinics from within the Program or from the private dermatologist practices.
Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic
The cosmetic dermatology clinic focuses on the evaluation of patients interested on skin rejuvenation in a competent but relaxed environment. Our goal is to help our patients achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated, natural-appearing complexion. Our services consist of a comprehensive initial evaluation and establishment of a treatment plan personalized to meet the individual needs of every patient in order to produce the best outcomes. We offer the latest technologies and therapies for skin rejuvenation and resurfacing at very competitive prices. Services currently offered include: botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, cosmetic fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, laser resurfacing, sclerotherapy (leg vein treatment), and photodynamic therapy among others. All of our cosmetic procedures and treatments are performed by residents under the direct supervision of Dr. Alma Cruz every Monday and Tuesday afternoon at the UPR School of Medicine Clinic.
Acne Clinic
This clinic was established for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of patients with acne, with emphasis on managing patients with severe acne in need of isotretinoin treatment. Related conditions that in many cases are managed with isotretinoin such as severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp are also managed in this clinic. The clinic is held on Thursday mornings in The Clinic of the UPR School of Medicine and is supervised by Dr. Rafael Martin. Residents of all levels may be assigned to this clinic.
Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Clinic
The purpose of this clinic is to evaluate and manage patients with autoimmune bullous skin disorders. This clinic takes place at the ASEM Outpatient Dermatology Clinics on Tuesday mornings. Two residents (one PGY-3, one PGY-4) are assigned to this clinic under the supervision of Dr. Oscar Nevares.
Cryosurgery Clinics:
Cryosurgery is a treatment option for benign and malignant cutaneous lesions and for palliation. The Cryosurgery Clinics at the Clinic of the UPR School of Medicine on Friday afternoons supervised by Dr. Samuel Sanchez. A second-year resident is assigned to this clinic. In these clinics, patients are referred from other clinics from within the Program or from external dermatologists from around the Island. Patients are evaluated, diagnosed and treated by the assigned resident under the direct supervision of the attending physician. The resident will assist on or perform cryosurgery of benign and malignant tumors, among others.
Dermatopathology Rotation:
During the second year, resident will complete a rotation working with the dermatopathologist (Dr. Julio Sanchez). The resident will spend the time allotted in the program and any other available time to study and learn to diagnose the slides from skin biopsies obtained in the clinics and ward. The rotating residents will go daily in the afternoon to Dr. Sanchez’s dermatopathology center to go through slide lecture of all specimens evaluated by the dermatopathologist, prioritizing histopathologic specimens sent from the clinics and consultations of the Department of Dermatology. The resident will also evaluate (along with the dermatopathologist) specimens processed in the laboratory for special stains, immunohistochemistry and direct immunofluorescence
Ward Rotation (In-Patient, Emergency Room, Admission):
A senior resident and a first-year resident will be responsible for the evaluation, management and follow-up of all in-patients consultations and for the patients admitted to our service. An attending physician will be assigned for supervision of these residents and will be responsible for all these patients. All patients admitted to our service or consulted from other services must be discussed with the attending physician for final diagnosis and treatment. The assigned senior resident should promptly evaluate all consults and is responsible for providing adequate follow-up to these patients as required.