Dermatology News
Updates from the UNMC Department of Dermatology
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UNMC Department of Dermatology was founded on May 1, 2018.
The UNMC Department of Dermatology was created by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in May 2016. Ashley Wysong MD, MS was appointed by Brad Britigan MD, Dean of the College of Medicine, as the Founding Chair and William W. Bruce M.D. Distinguished Chair of the Department of Dermatology on May 1, 2018. Dr. Wysong was born in Missouri and raised in Colorado with Nebraska ties through her paternal grandfather who was born in Bayard, NE. She attended medical school at Duke University where she was valedictorian, Stanford University for dermatology residency, and Scripps Clinic for Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship and served as Director of Mohs & Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Southern California prior to being recruited to build the new department at UNMC. Dr. Wysong quickly went to work recruiting several talented faculty members to join the dermatology team and launched the first dermatology clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center on August 26, 2018 with the “Founding Fab Four” faculty (pictured above from L to R: Dr. Ryan Trowbridge, Dr. Ashley Wysong, Dr. Megan Arthur, Dr. Adam Sutton). Dr. Jennifer Adams (Abrahams) joined the team approximately six months later and the department has continued to expand to meet the demands of patient care, teaching, research, and outreach/service in our area!
At UNMC Dermatology our vision is to fearlessly innovate and provide meaningful dermatologic care through:
- Delivery of compassionate and leading-edge patient care
- Education and mentorship with a lasting impact
- Pioneering solutions for the communities of tomorrow
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Adam Sutton, MD, MBA, FAAD, FACMS |
Mohs & Dermatologic Surgery |
Mohs surgery is the subspecialty of dermatology involving medical, surgical and dermatopathological diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous malignancies.
UNMC Department of Dermatology recruited Adam Sutton MD, MBA as the Director of Mohs & Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Sutton completed his dermatology residency at the University of Southern California and his Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology fellowship at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. Dr. Sutton received his fellowship specialty training in Mohs micrographic surgery, cutaneous oncology, venolymphatic medicine and laser and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr. Ashley Wysong is also a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. Both Dr. Sutton and Dr. Wysong specialize in skin cancer surgery and reconstruction. Together, Dr. Sutton and Dr. Ashley Wysong launched the Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology Program at Nebraska Medicine in October of 2018. The Mohs Micrographic surgery program was the first of its kind at Nebraska Medicine. In the first year, the Mohs team cared for hundreds of patients with skin cancer.
The Mohs team has worked to develop multidisciplinary collaborations with head and neck surgery, surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and other experts to care for patients with all types of skin cancer. In May of this year, the Mohs for melanoma program was launched, utilizing immunohistochemical stains on frozen tissue to maximize cure rates. This allows surgical removal of the melanoma, comprehensive margin assessment and same day reconstruction. Select types of melanomas are candidates for Mohs surgery, including those on the head/neck and hands/feet. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recognizes Mohs and the need for comprehensive margin assessment in the NCCN May 2020 Cutaneous Melanoma Practice Guideline.
The Mohs team aims to provide cutting edge and high level of care to patients with skin cancer. With a patient centered approach, Dr. Sutton and Dr. Wysong strive to provide this highly personalized care.
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Dr. Wysong and Dr. Sutton performing Mohs surgery. |
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Teledermatology
Jennifer Adams (Abrahams) MD, FAAD, DTM&H
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We are very proud of our multiple virtual options which allow you to see one of our board-certified dermatologists from the comfort of your own home.
Jennifer Adams (Abrahams), MD, FAAD, DTM&H, Director of Teledermatology & Associate Program Director for the Dermatology Residency Program, has been working tirelessly to extend our dermatologic expertise beyond the clinics over the last year. The initial launch of the teledermatology platform in February 2020 was rapidly accelerated due to the impact of COVID-19. Thanks to our innovative and responsive dermatology faculty and staff we were able to rapidly triage our dermatology patients and to continue providing exceptional care through our telehealth platforms. Specifically, by the end of April our clinic was back to 75% capacity utilizing synchronous video visits, store-and-forward eVisits, eConsults, phone visits and in-person visits for urgent or acutely ill patients. In addition to allowing our team to safely see patients from the comfort of their own homes during the coronavirus pandemic, teledermatology is also vital in reaching patients who live 3-6 hours away without having to travel to Omaha. Expanding access of care to rural Nebraska and beyond is a key strategic initiative of the UNMC Department of Dermatology.
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Dr. Adams (Abrahams) speaking with a patient using video visit. |
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Educating the Next Generation
"We are committed to training the next generation of dermatologist and physicians in Nebraska and beyond."
Megan Arthur, MD
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Dr. Megan Arthur is the Director of Medical Student Education and Associate Program Director for the Dermatology Residency Programs. She has worked diligently to develop new curricula for our medical students, resident physicians, and other learners on campus. The department also started a Dermatology Interest Group (DIGA) for the medical students interested in dermatology with numerous workshops and service events to date. Dr. Arthur's dream as a UNMC medical student was to someday see a Dermatology residency program here at UNMC. She has been an integral part of making that dream a reality.
Dr. Wysong is currently serving as the Residency Program Director and recently submitted an application to the ACGME to start a residency program in dermatology at UNMC. That application was approved and the dermatology staff worked around the clock to review and match the first class of residents for the 2020-2021 academic year and on June 30, 2020 welcomed the inaugural class.
- MS1: New lectures developed for the "skin block"
- MS2: Synthesis to prepare for dermatology on the USMLE Step 1 board examination
- MS3: 3 week selective clinical rotation in dermatology
- MS4: Four new clinical rotations in dermatology and a capstone rotation for students who match into dermatology
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Inaugural Dermatology Residents |
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A new residency program in the UNMC Department of Dermatology has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and welcomed its inaugural class of three residents.This program is the first residency program to train dermatologists in Nebraska in almost 40 years. A joint UNMC-Creighton dermatology residency was in place from 1975-1983. "We are very proud to begin training the next generation of board-certified dermatologists for the state of Nebraska and beyond," Dr. Wysong said. "Nebraska continues to have one of the lowest ratios of dermatologists in the country and our citizens would greatly benefit from expanded dermatologic expertise and access."
Dermatology residents will complete a one-year internship prior to beginning their training in dermatology. The residents will then complete three years of specialty training in dermatology, dermatologic surgery, dermatopathology, inpatient consultative dermatology and pediatric dermatology.
The mission of the UNMC Dermatology Residency Program is to provide a comprehensive educational experience and foundation in dermatology. Our core focus is the development of future leaders in dermatology and in their chosen medical communities. UNMC Dermatology is firmly committed to a focus on education and mentorship. We are guided by compassionate and leading-edge patient care with a team-based approach. We strive to serve our urban and surrounding rural communities as well as other underserved populations both locally and abroad. We aim to instill curiosity and a sense of innovation in research, quality improvement and forward thinking solutions for the healthcare delivery of tomorrow.
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Dillon Clarey, MD, PGY-2 Nebraska Dermatology Resident Physician
Dr. Dillon Clarey graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Business Administration where he was a Chancellor's Scholar. He attended medical school at UNMC, where he earned a Regent Scholarship and was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. While a medical student, Dr. Clarey was an active volunteer in the Teammates Mentoring Program, Healing Gift Free Clinic, Omaha Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and more. He authored over a dozen research articles while a medical student. Dr. Clarey completed his intern year of residency at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. While an intern physician, he was very active in medical student mentorship and teaching. Dr. Clarey was the 2019-2020 PGY-2 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at UNMC Department of Dermatology. As a research fellow, Dr. Clarey was awarded a Central States for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) grant with his mentor Dr. Jennifer Adams to develop an e-Consult program in dermatology for rural Nebraskans and to study the dermatologic conditions and exposures in agricultural workers. His research interests include increasing dermatologic access to care in underserved areas, teledermatology, and complex medical dermatology.
Dr. Clarey enjoys Husker athletics, excercising, fishing, spending time with family and friends in Columbus Nebraska and keeping up with current events.
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Tyler Evans, MD, PGY-2 Nebraska Dermatology Resident Physician
Dr. Tyler Evans graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Biology and Psychology and was a full-scholarship NCAA athlete in football. While a student-athlete, he was awarded the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team Award, the Brook Berringer Citizenship and Service Award, and the Beck Scholarship for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership and integrity. He attended medical school at UNMC, where he earned a Regents Full Tuition Scholarship and was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. While a medical student, Dr. Evans was heavily involved in service as a volunteer at the student-run free clinic and with organizations such as the Special Olympics, House Call for Kids, Team Jack and Uplifting Athletes. Dr. Evans was the founding president for the Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) chapter at UNMC. He completed his intern year of residency in internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Dr. Evans enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, intramural basketball and golf, watching sports, going to Husker football games, bow fishing, water and snow skiing, watching movies, trying new restaurants, brunch, traveling, hiking and attending country music concerts.
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Ritu Swali, MD, PGY-2 Nebraska Dermatology Resident Physician
Dr. Ritu Swali graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences and a Certification in Business Foundations. While an undergraduate student, she was actively involved in service and as a professional dance team member. She attended medical school at Texas A&M University College of Medicine where she graduated with honors and was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. While a medical student, Dr. Swali was active in global health organizing medical mission trips with ChangeFire and Global Medical Training; in addition, she managed the student-run indigent health care clinic "Health for All" in Bryan, TX. Dr. Swali completed her intern year of residency in internal medicine at the University of California Irvine. She was the 2019-2020 Dermatology Research Fellow at the Center for Clinical Studies with Dr. S. Tyring at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, TX. As a research fellow, Dr. Swali was involved in 9 clinical trials and is the author of approximately two dozen medical publications.
Dr. Swali enjoys dancing, traveling, making puzzles, performing arts, reading mystery books and is fluent in English and Kutchi.
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Meet Our New Physician
Welcome Ronald Sulewski, MD, Assistant Professor and Director of Laser and Aesthetic Dermatology.
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Dr. Ronald Sulewski was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Quincy, Illinois and Denver, Colorado. Dr. Sulewski earned his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. While attending medical school, he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha-National Medical Honor Society. He completed his residency at University of Miami Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery. Prior to beginning medical school, he attended University of Notre Dame where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree magna cum laude, with a major in Biological Sciences. He has presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meetings, as well as Miami Dermatology Society meetings. Dr. Sulewski is a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and the American Academy of Dermatology. He worked and was partner at a cosmetic-focused private practice in downtown Chicago for the last eight years before relocating to Omaha, where his wife Colleen was born. Dr. Sulewski has volunteered his time and expertise for various organizations including the annual SunSmart Melanoma Awareness 5K run, International Health Elective in Bolivia and the Community Health Clinic in Chicago, IL.
Dr. Sulewski’s passions in practicing dermatology include but are not limited to medical dermatology, acne treatments, psoriasis, and the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. In addition, he performs botox, fillers, chemical peels and other various cosmetic procedures. Dr. Sulewski also speaks fluent Spanish. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, basketball, jogging and spending time with his wife, Colleen and their two children.
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A Message from the Chair....
Ashley Wysong, MD,MS
Founding Chair and William W. Bruce MD Distinguished Chair of Dermatology
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We at UNMC Department of Dermatology are so proud to provide the very best in patient care, cutting-edge research and education of the next generation of dermatologists in Nebraska and beyond! We truly seek to fulfill our part of the shared mission at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC: "to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care".
As a new Department of Dermatology, established by the College of Medicine and approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents on May 25, 2016, we are eager to build upon the rich history of UNMC dating back to the end of the 19th century. Currently, the state of Nebraska has about one dermatologist for every 52,000 people -- we can and will work tirelessly to improve access to care for patients in Nebraska and beyond. We will do this by recruiting academic dermatologists dedicated to training the next generation, by educating our medical students in diseases of the skin and by training residents in dermatology. In addition, we have built a teledermatology program to extend our care and expertise to the rural areas of Nebraska and beyond. We plan to work closely with our community-based dermatologists and volunteer clinical faculty in the Omaha area, as well as regionally, to enhance the educational and research missions of the department.
With the generous support of our alumni and friends, we will earn the trust of our patients and referring colleagues, solidify dermatology in the educational curriculum of the UNMC College of Medicine, develop innovative research protocols and alleviate suffering from skin, hair and nail disorders in our community. I am humbled and grateful to be the Founding Chair of our new department and to have the opportunity to serve the people of Nebraska! We welcome your feedback and involvement to enhance our efforts at UNMC Dermatology.
With gratitude,
Ashley Wysong MD, MS
Founding Chair and Associate Professor
William W. Bruce MD Distinguished Chair of Dermatology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Department of Dermatology
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Tom Thompson, NU Foundation |
Developing new clinical programs, innovative education strategies and cutting edge research protocols depends on support from our philanthropic partners. UNMC alumni, grateful patients and community partners have expressed an interest in learning more about our program, our opportunities to enhance the impact we have at UNMC and across Nebraska and our vision to become a national leader in treatment, physician training and outreach. If you would like to learn more about private gifts and partnerships in these or other areas, or about volunteering for our programs, we welcome the chance to share them with you. We are grateful for every gift as well as each person who would like to be a part of the team serving our dermatologic community.
We have immediate needs in the following areas:
- Research Pilot Start-up Fund
- Education Funding -- Resident Education Fund, Medical Student Research Scholarships, Endowed Research Fellowship
- Patient Care and Clinical Support
- Endowed Faculty Sponsorship
For more information please contact:
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UNMC Department of Dermatology
985645 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5645
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