Joint dermatology program receives maximum accreditation

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kimberly Spencer
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Accreditation was awarded to the Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center Dermatology Residency Program Aug. 16.

The accreditation signifies that the integrated Army and Air Force dermatology program meets or exceeds the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for training resident doctors to become dermatologists.

"It is an incredible accomplishment to repeatedly earn five-year accreditations," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) John LeVasseur, the 759th Medical Operations Squadron Dermatology Flight commander and Air Force surgeon general consultant for dermatology. "The maximum five-year award validates the strength of our combined program under the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium for the past 10 years."

"Our five-year award signifies that we have one of the best programs in America," said Army Col. (Dr.) Robert Gilson, the SAUSHEC dermatology program director. "The SAUSHEC program is the largest dermatology training program in the country."

The accreditation council is responsible for the accreditation of all allopathic and some osteopathic residency training programs within the United States. Accreditation is accomplished through a peer-review process and based upon established standards and guidelines. The ACGME's primary responsibility is to provide the safest and most effective medical education program for both patients and residents.

"I am very appreciative of our outstanding teaching staff, ancillary support personnel and residents themselves, for making this distinction possible," Colonel Gilson said. 

Dr. Gilson said two people instrumental in its program are Kathy Boostrom, the residency coordinator and Maj. (Dr.) Darryl Hodson, the associate program director.

Graduates acquire the knowledge and skill required to test for the national certifying exam in dermatology and are ready to serve anywhere they are needed at Air Force and Army bases throughout the world.

"Because of the strength of our program and faculty, we not only train future dermatologists, but also serve as a teaching resource for medical students and residents in other specialties, as well as provide worldwide consultation support for deployments, humanitarian missions and teledermatology," Colonel LeVasseur said.

He also addressed the issue of integration between Brooke Army and Wilford Hall medical centers.

"For the future we expect to continue a tradition of excellence and be one of the first services to consolidate our geographically separate departments at both BAMC and WHMC into one space at the new south campus of the San Antonio Military Medical Center," said Colonel LeVasseur.