Dermatology

The Department of Dermatology at Stanford Medicine is a world-renowned center of excellence in patient-centered clinical care, groundbreaking scientific discovery, and the training of future leaders in clinical and investigative dermatology. Guided by the principles of scientific rigor and human compassion, the department is dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of skin diseases.

Through its integrated clinical networks at Stanford Health Care, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, the department delivers cutting-edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatological care. By bridging basic science with clinical application, the department rapidly translates laboratory breakthroughs into life-saving therapies for adult and pediatric patients.

Academic and Clinical Training Pathways

The Department of Dermatology provides exceptional educational programs designed to train the next generation of academic dermatologists, clinician-educators, and physician-scientists:

• Dermatology Residency Program: A highly sought-after residency that offers comprehensive clinical training in general, surgical, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatology. The department also offers a dedicated Physician-Scientist Training Track for residents aiming to combine clinical residency with intensive, postdoctoral-level laboratory research.

• Subspecialty Fellowships: Advanced clinical and research training is offered through competitive fellowships in several specialized fields:

  • Dermatologic Oncology Residency Focus 

  • Pediatric Dermatology Residency Focus

  • Clinical Research Residency Track

  • Dermatopathology Fellowship

  • Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship

• Medical Student Education: Providing Stanford medical students with immersive pre-clerkship courses, clinical clerkships, and research electives designed to build foundational expertise in cutaneous medicine.

Research, Innovation, and Clinical Excellence

Consistently ranking among the top dermatology departments in the nation for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, Stanford Dermatology is a powerhouse for cutaneous biology and translational research. Key areas of investigation and clinical expertise include:

• Epithelial Biology and Stem Cell Research: Investigating the mechanisms of skin regeneration, wound healing, tissue engineering, and genomic regulation in healthy and diseased skin.

• Skin Cancer and Cutaneous Oncology: Advancing early detection, molecular profiling, and innovative immunotherapies for melanoma, cutaneous lymphomas, and non-melanoma skin cancers.

• Genetic and Orphan Skin Diseases: Leading pioneering global research and clinical trials for severe, rare genetic skin disorders—such as Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)—utilizing gene-editing and regenerative medicine technologies.

• Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases: Exploring the immune pathways driving chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata to develop targeted biologic therapies.

• Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit (DCTU): Actively running clinical trials to evaluate next-generation therapeutics, devices, and diagnostic tools, giving patients early access to emerging treatments.