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Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Fellows of Dermatologic and Micrographic Surgery

From left: Dr. Robert Sollitto, Dr. Chris Conti, Dr. Anthony Benedetto, Dr. Ernest Benedetto, Dr. Stu Shanler.

ANTHONY V. BENEDETTO, DO, FACP, FCPP
PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Overview

This Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Procedural Dermatology Fellowship, under the direction of Anthony Benedetto, DO, FACP, FCPP, offers an intense and broad-based training experience in the field of dermatologic procedural surgery. This is a one year fellowship that includes training in Mohs micrographic and reconstructive surgery, lasers and energy based devices, sclerotherapy, liposuction, and other cosmetic procedures including fillers and neurotoxins. The Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Procedural Dermatology Fellowship Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and approved by the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS). Dr. Anthony Benedetto personally performs over 2500 dermatologic procedures per year. The fellow is expected to participate in those cases assisting and eventually acting as primary surgeon on all aspects of patient care.

Goals

The fellow will become proficient in all phases of Mohs surgery, i.e., the excision of skin cancers; tissue orientation, tinctorial coding and mapping of tissue specimens; frozen tissue cryostat mounting and sectioning, specimen staining and glass slide mounting and microscopic interpretation. In addition, at least 90 percent of all cases treated at our SurgiCenters are reconstructed, thereby allowing the fellow to become proficient in various reconstructive surgical procedures. The fellow will become confident and adept at performing the Mohs technique for even the largest and most complicated cases of skin cancer. The other 5-10 percent of cases are referred elsewhere because of their referral source or complexity of the wound defect. When indicated, the fellow will accompany these patients to the operating room to observe the attending oculoplastic, head and neck, or plastic surgeon during the reconstruction of those referred Mohs defects.

Structure

During the fellowship year, the fellow will be expected to complete a minimum of 500 Mohs cases, 200 cases of which the fellow performs as primary surgeon and at least 300 as the first assistant with the Program Director. Fifty of these Mohs cases and 50 of the reconstructive procedures done by the fellow as the primary surgeon are expected to be of a complex nature. The fellow will be expected to complete a minimum of 1000 dermatological procedures for the Procedural Dermatology fellowship, which will include biopsies, injections of fillers and neurotoxins, laser and energy based device treatments, excisions and revisions, cryosurgery, dermabrasion, sclerotherapy, liposuction and various other dermatologic procedures. All of these procedures will be documented in case log format as required by the ACGME. The fellow’s progress and surgical expertise will be supervised directly by the Program Director on a daily basis.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

The main surgical experience is at two ambulatory surgical centers. In addition there also is exposure to other practice settings. These include attendance at The Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital, University of Pennsylvania dermatologic surgery clinic, Dermpath Diagnostics for general dermatopathology review and Wills Eye Hospital for a periorbital dissection course.

Lasers

The fellowship experience also includes ample exposure to the operation of the Carbon Dioxide Ultra Pulse Encore laser used in the continuous wave mode for different surgical procedures or in fractional or nonfractionated superficial and deep tissue resurfacing. Other lasers utilized during the fellowship are the Light Sheer Duet 800nm diode laser for hair removal, the Extrac 312nm excimer laser for the treatment of psoriasis and hypopigmented conditions, the V-Beam 595nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of vascular lesions, the Q-5 1064/532nm Nd:YAG Q-switched laser for the treatment of pigmented lesions and tattoo removal and the Gentle YAG long pulse 1064nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of vascular lesions and hair removal.

Cosmetics

Other cosmetic surgical procedures performed during the fellowship include injections of neurotoxins and various soft tissue fillers as well as sclerotherapy, chemical peelings, wire brush and diamond fraise dermabrasion, tumescent liposuction, and different types of scar revision and subcision procedures. The fellow receives additional experience through various optional rotations at different cosmetic surgery clinics in the immediate vicinity for experience in hair transplantation, blepharoplasty and rhytidectomy, when time permits.

Research and Academic Activity

Research is a key component of fellowship training and the fellow is expected to participate in various clinical research projects during the course of the program year. Furthermore, the fellow is expected to participate in the review of manuscripts prior to publication from different journals of dermatology and dermatologic surgery.

The program seeks highly motivated, energetic individuals who are interested in making contributions to the field of dermatologic and procedural cosmetic surgery. During the fellowship a clinical research project resulting in publication in a peer reviewed journal is a requirement. The fellow also is expected to prepare a presentation for the annual meeting of the American College of Mohs Surgery. The fellow also is expected to prepare an abstract for presentation at other annual meetings, including but not limited to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The fellow is required to attend monthly journal club meetings of the Philadelphia Society for Dermatologic Surgery as well as the bimonthly meetings of the Philadelphia South Journal Club, along with the monthly meetings of the Philadelphia Dermatological Society and the quarterly meetings of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Section on Dermatology, all of which supplement the fellow’s solid surgical didactic experience with a more well-rounded, general dermatology familiarity understanding comprehension.

Requirements for application, eligibility, selection and recruitment

The Dermatologic SurgiCenter is a participating member of the San Francisco Match Program. Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements as prescribed by the ACGME in order to be considered as a potential candidate for fellowship at the Dermatologic SurgiCenter. The applicant must be:

1. A graduate from a medical school of the United States that is accredited by the ACGME or of Canada that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME);

2. A graduate from a college of osteopathic medicine of the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

3. A graduate from a medical school outside the United States or Canada who has:

4. A certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and that is valid and current; and

5. A license to practice medicine in the United States licensing jurisdiction; and

6. Completed an ACGME accredited residency in dermatology or its equivalent before commencing the fellowship; and is

7. Eligible to sit for the American Board of Dermatology Examination.

Eligible applicants will be considered based on their preparedness, ability, aptitude, academic credentials, communication skills, and personal qualities such as motivation and integrity. The Dermatologic SurgiCenter will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

All applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Program Director. The selection of applicants for interviews is based upon credentials (medical school and dermatology residency performance and board scores), publications, research activities, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. The required two-day fellowship interviews are granted to the best qualified candidates.

All applicants are required to apply through the San Francisco Matching Program before an interview can be granted.

The interview process requires two days of onsite participation. During this time the applicant is asked to observe surgeries performed at the Dermatologic SurgiCenters in Center City and Philadelphia. If the Program Director approves of the applicant, he or she is ranked according to the rules outlined by the San Francisco Match Program for Procedural Dermatology.

After an applicant has matched with this program, the prerequisite documentation and licensure must be completed prior to commencing the fellowship and are as listed below:

1 PA State Medical License

2 Medical Malpractice Insurance

3 DEA License

4 ACLS Certification

5 National Provider Identification Number

6 Medicare Provider Enrollment

7 Blue Shield Provider Enrollment

8 Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital Privileges

9 Delaware County Memorial Hospital Privileges

10 Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center Privileges

ANTHONY V. BENEDETTO, DO, FACP, FCPP Procedural Dermatology Program Director

Peggy Locher, Procedural Dermatology Fellowship Coordinator

peggy@benedettoderm.com

 

OUR FORMER FELLOWS

Harry Humenick MDHarry Humenick, M.D. (February 7, 1958 – May 11, 2010)
Fellowship Year: 1990-1991

Medical School: The University of Toledo – College of Medicine, Toledo, Ohio, 1986
Internship: (PGY-1) The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, 1987
Residency (PGY-2-4): Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 1990
Practice: Dermatologic Surgery/Cosmetic, Sylvania, Ohio

  • Former Head MOHS Surgery Medical College of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
  • President, Ohio Society for Dermatologic Surgery (2000-2010).


Ernest A Benedetto MDErnest A. Benedetto, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 1991-1992

Medical School: University of Rome Medical School, Rome, Italy, 1983
Residency in Internal Medicine: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation – 1983-1987
Residency in Dermatology: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation – 1987-1990
Practice: The Dermatologic SurgiCenter, Philadelphia and Drexel Hill,
Pennsylvania

John Martinez, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 1992-1993

Med School: Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Residency: (PGY1-3): University of California, Irvine, Dept. of Family Medicine, Irvine, CA
Fellow: Immunology/Melanoma, University of California, San Francisco, CA
Residency (PGY1-3): State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
Practice: Kaiser Occupational Medicine, Irvine and San Diego, CA

  • Chief of Service, Kaiser Permanente Hospital
  • Co-Director, Procedural Dermatology, Irvine, CA

Robert Sollitto MDRobert Sollitto, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 1995-1996

Medical School: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Internship: (PGY-1) Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
Residency:

  • (PGY-2,3) Boston University/Tufts University Integrated Program in Dermatology, Boston, MA
  • (PGY-4,5) National Institutes of Health, NCI/NIAMS with Fellowship in Dermatological Clinical Research, Bethesda, MD

Practice: Robert B. Sollitto, M.D., PC (Dermatological Surgery), Voorhees, NJ

  • President and CEO of Voorhees Surgery Center, LLC, a multi-specialty accredited ambulatory surgery center.

“My fellowship experience with Dr. Anthony Benedetto provided breadth and depth of dermatological surgical techniques, with particular focus on Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction that simply could not be excelled in the timeframe. I graduated the fellowship with the skill set and the confidence to embrace and tackle the scope of challenges facing the dedicated Mohs surgeon, as well as an ignited passion for further learning and creativity towards excellent patient care. The American College of Mohs Surgery is blessed with numerous fine training program directors, but I can think of none better than Dr. Anthony Benedetto. His clinical teaching, incorporating the best classical and innovative approaches integrated with legendary caring and compassion for patients, make him not only a superior surgical mentor, but moreover, a role model of the first order.”

Stu Shanler MDStu Shanler, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 1998-1999

Medical School : Albany Medical College of Union University, Albany, NY
Internship in Internal Medicine: Beth Israel Medical Center Program, New York, NY
Residency in Internal Medicine: Beth Israel Medical Center Program, New York, NY
Fellow: Dermatologic Oncology and Investigational Cutaneous Laser Therapeutics, Buffalo, NY
Residency: State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Practice: Vicept Therapeutics, Inc., Malvern, PA

Chris Conti MDChris Conti, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 1999-2000

Medical School: New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Residency: University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Practice: Panzer Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Newark, DE
“Dr. Benedetto is a true mentor in the art of Mohs Surgery and Reconstruction.”


Alan Lewis MDAlan Lewis, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2000-2001

Medical School: Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Practice: New Orleans, LA, and Gulfport, MS
Practice: Tulane Dermatology Affiliates, New Orleans, LA and Gulfport, MS

  • Former Head of Mohs Surgery, Tulane University

 

Andrew Herbst, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2001-2002

Medical School: New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY
Internship in Internal Medicine: Columbia Presbyterian, New York City, NY
Residency: SYNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Practice: Dermatology, Laser & Plastic, Plainview, NY

 

Jim Lahti MDJim Lahti, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2002-2003

Medical School: Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Internship: PGY-1: Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA
Residency in Internal Medicine: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Residency in Dermatology: University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Practice: Dermatology Partners of the North Shore, Northbrook, Illinois

  • Clinical Instructor at Northwestern Department of Dermatology

 

Stephen Romagnolo MDStephen Romagnolo, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2003-2004

Medical School: DartmouthUniversity, Hanover, NH
Internship in Internal Medicine: Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
Residency in Dermatology: Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA
Practice: Center for Dermatology and Skin Surgery, Hudson, Florida

 

Michael Lehrer MDMichael Lehrer, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2004-2005

Medical School: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Internship in Internal Medicine: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Residency: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Practice: Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center, Exton, PA
Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting, Plymouth Meeting, PA
“My favorite times at Dermatologic SurgiCenter were definitely
performing the difficult cases under Dr. Anthony’s guidance.”

 

Anthony Papadopoulos MDAnthony Papadopoulos, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2005-2006

Medical School: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
Internship: Brown University, Providence, RI
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
Practice: Advanced Dermatology Associates of Sussex County, Sparta, NJ
“A day doesn’t go by when what I’ve learned in Philadelphia isn’t applied to my daily practice.”

 

Stephen D'Addario MDStephen D’Addario, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2006-2007

Medical School: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
Internship:
Residency: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
Practice: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dept. of
Dermatology Arkansas, Little Rock, AR

Otter Aspen MD
Otter Aspen, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2007-2008

Medical School: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Internship: Caritas Carney Hospital, Dorchester, MA
Residency: Boston University/ Tufts University, Boston, MA
Practice: The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., Elk Grove, CA

 

Daniel Shurman MD
Daniel Shurman, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2008-2009

Medical School: Temple Medical School, Philadelphia, PA
Internship: Christiana Care Hospital, Newark, DE
Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Dermatology, Philadelphia, PA
Practice: Family Dermatology of PA, Reading, PA
“It was a big happy family with many clinical and practical pearls of wisdom passed on from the two amazing directors. Staff was warm and caring.”

 

Philippe Lafaille MDPhilippe Lafaille, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2009-2010

Medical School: University of Montreal, Montreal, CAN
Residency: University of Montreal, Montreal, CAN
Practice: Maisonneuve- Rosemont Hospital, Montreal, CAN
“It was a great year and a great learning experience.”

 

Matthew Petrie MDMatthew Petrie, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2010-2011

Medical School – Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Internship – Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine
Residency in Dermatology – Thomas Jefferson University Hospital,
Philadelphia, PA
Practice: Annapolis Dermatology Center, Annapolis MD

“The SurgiCenter is a fun place to work and offers an amazing variety of surgical procedures!”

Edward Monk MD


Edward Monk, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2011-2012

Medical School: SUNY Downstate Medical Center, College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY
Internship in Internal Medicine: Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
Residency: SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

Khaled M Hassan MD


Khaled M. Hassan, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2012-2013

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC
Internship: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance CA
Residency: UC Irvine, Irvine CA



Ashishek Aphale MDAbhishek Aphale, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2013-2014

Medical School: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School – Piscataway, New Jersey
Internship: St. Peter’s University Hospital
Residency: University of Michigan
Practice: Dr. Ingrid Warmuth Skin Cancer Center, Elmer, New Jersey

 

Leonard Kerwin MDLeonard Kerwin, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2014-2015

Medical School: Wayne State University, Detroit MI
Internship: Crittenton Hospital Rochester Hills, MI
Residency: Wayne State University, Detroit MI
Practice: Associated Dermatologists in West Bloomfield, MI

“My experience with Dr. Benedetto was outstanding.  An enjoyable, rewarding, informative, special year.  Dr. Anthony Benedetto, as well as Dr. Ernest Benedetto and Dr. Paul Benedetto had me well prepared for my career ahead.  My experience there was exemplary and the variety of surgical experiences was unparalleled.”

 

Michael P. Frank, MD
Fellowship Year: 2015-2016

Medical School: Jefferson Medical College

Internship: Albert Einstein Medical Center

Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Current Practice: Dermatology Associates, Biddeford and Portland, ME

 

Jon Staidle, MD
Fellowship Year: 2016-2017

Medical School: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in

St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, Northeastern Ohio Medical University

Internship: Summa Health System

Residency: Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine


Current Practice: Skin Cancer & Dermatology Institute, Sparks, NV

“My physician mentors and the staff at the Dermatologic SurgiCenter were

so welcoming, I felt like another member of the Benedetto family. The experience

I gained working with 3 generations of Mohs surgeons and their unique

surgical styles left was unlike any other place I have trained.”

 

Jason Schoenfeld, MD
Fellowship year: 2017-2018

Medical School: Jefferson Medical College

Internship: Drexel University

Residency: University at Buffalo

Current Practice: Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners, Philadelphia, PA

“I had a great year at the Dermatologic SurgiCenter. Drs. Anthony, Ernest,

and Paul Benedetto are all excellent teachers and mentors, and provided me

with the skills needed to be a successful Mohs surgeon.”

 

Daria Marley Kemp, MD
Fellowship Year: 2018-2019

Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University

Internship: Lankenau Medical Center

Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Current Practice: Pennsylvania Dermatology Partners, Bensalem, PA

 

Conrad Benedetto

Conrad Benedetto, DO
Fellowship Year: 2019-2020

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Internship: Inspira Medical Center in Vineland, NJ

Residency: Island Dermatology

Current Practice: Dermatologic SurgiCenter, Philadelphia and Drexel Hill, PA