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Dermatology

A Message From Our Program

The Dermatology Residency program began on July 1, 2001. It has grown to nine residents since its inception. In the past, it was certified by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and has now achieved Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Certification (ACGME). It is a three-year, post-graduate residency that is completed after a traditional first year. Medical students may rotate in dermatology for a two-week block. Besides the Program Director, there are 13 attending physicians in the program. They help run the clinic, as well as train residents in their private offices. The residents gain hands-on experience on a daily basis.

Academics are extremely important in the residency program. The training for a Board-Certified Dermatologist consists of concentrated study of skin, hair and nails. Emerging from this training, residents gain an understanding of how to approach and care for the largest organ of the body – the skin. Osteopathic dermatologists focus on how skin, hair and nails affect and are affected by one’s health.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is an equal opportunity employer. Please review this information carefully and apply via the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). Thank you for your interest in our residency program.

Our Program Team

Suzanne Sirota-Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD

Designated Institutional Officer (DIO) & Program Director

Shoni Rozenberg, DO

Associate Program Director

Amber Johnson

Program Coordinator

Program Highlights

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: In-depth training covering medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology as well as pediatric dermatology and dermatopathology.
  • Hands-On Training: Opportunities for clinical practice and patient interaction in diverse settings, from outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and surgical settings.
  • Resident-Run Continuity Clinic: Experience continuous patient care, fostering long-term relationships and a deeper understanding of chronic skin conditions in a supportive learning environment.
  • Patient-Centered Care: Emphasis on empathetic, holistic, individualized care for diverse patient populations in a culturally competent manner.
  • Community Outreach: Active involvement in initiatives to improve skin health awareness, access, and education in underserved populations.
  • Research Opportunities: Engage in groundbreaking research projects with opportunities to publish in reputable dermatology journals and present at local and national conferences.
  • Work-Life Balance: Committees in place to promote resident wellness and support work-like balance throughout training with support from faculty.

Didactics

Our dermatology residency program offers a comprehensive didactic curriculum designed to enhance clinical knowledge and prepare our residents for board certification.  Didactic sessions include:

  • Grand Rounds: Residents attend and participate in weekly grand rounds that cover a range of topics, from common dermatologic conditions to rare diseases.  These sessions include discussions of complex case presentations and current research in dermatology.
  • Journal Club: Residents present articles weekly from leading dermatology journals, discussing methodologies, results, and clinical implications.  Designed to foster critical thinking, journal club serves as a bridge between academic research and clinical practice.
  • Weekly Lectures: Residents participate in structured lectures led by faculty and expert guest speakers covering essential topics in dermatology, including medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology as well as coding and billing. 
  • Dermatopathology: Residents participate in an in-depth dermatopathology curriculum, with weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly didactic and unknown sessions from 3 leading dermatopathologists in the field.
  • Kodachromes: Kodachrome sessions are held weekly to enhance diagnostic acumen, improve presentation skills, and foster collaborative discussions.  This allows residents to refine their diagnostic skills and deepen their understanding of various skin conditions.
  • Workshops and Skills Training: Our program offers hands-on procedural skills workshops designed to enhance proficiency in essential dermatological techniques including skin biopsies, excisions, cryotherapy, and suturing.  Additionally, residents gain valuable hands-on experience in monthly cosmetic clinics focusing on injectable therapies (neuromodulators, filler, Sculptra), chemical peels, various laser therapies, as well as skin rejuvenation techniques (such as microneedling and platelet-rich plasma). 

Clinical Experience

The Dermatology Program at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital offers an intensive, well-rounded clinical experience designed to prepare residents for success in a dynamic field. Our residents rotate through a variety of private practices and hospital clinics across the five boroughs of New York City and Long Island, gaining exposure to diverse patient populations and dermatologic conditions. They also manage inpatient consultations at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, train with four expert Mohs surgeons, gain experience in conducting clinical trials, and actively participate in resident-led cosmetic clinics.

A key highlight of our program is its commitment to continuity of care. Throughout their three years of training, residents manage their own panel of patients in the hospital clinic, building long-term therapeutic relationships. St. John’s Dermatology Program is dedicated to producing well-rounded, confident dermatologists equipped to deliver exceptional patient care.

Curriculum PGY1-PGY5

Outside the clinic, our residents participate in a variety of educational activities that foster a culture of learning. These include weekly Grand Rounds, resident-led textbook reviews, Journal Club discussions, weekly dermatopathology sessions, and monthly faculty-led lectures and board reviews. To further enhance their growth, residents are encouraged to attend conferences, such as the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, and Real World Dermatology for Residents, where they can expand their knowledge and connect with leaders in the field.

On-Call Schedule

  • One dermatology resident is on dermatology consult service Monday-Sunday from 8am-12am under the direction of consult attending Ritu Saini, MD. The dermatology consult team responds to complex medical dermatology cases for the in-patient service of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.
  • Each dermatology resident will be on consult service for about six weeks total during each academic year. During a resident’s first year, they will be on buddy-call with a senior resident for one month during the first half of the year, and will take solo call for one month during the second half of the year.

Our Residents

Chief Resident

Brian How, DO

Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY
Medical School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Working out, enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family

Joelle Lee, DO, MPH

Hometown: Ventura, California
Medical School: Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Traveling, staying active, spending time with my husband and 2 kids

Regina Zambrano, DO, MPH

Hometown: Long Island, NY
Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Trying new restaurants and coffee spots; exploring new places with my husband, baby and goldendoodle; cycling on my peloton; shopping; traveling

PGY-3 Residents

Aleia Boccardi, DO

Hometown: Quakertown, PA
Medical School: Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Scuba diving, running, drawing

Haowei Han, DO, MS

Hometown: Hunan, China
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Cooking and soccer

Paul Imbriano, DO, MS

Hometown: Boston, MA
Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Cars, 3D printing, reef tanks

PGY-2 Residents

Alyssa Curcio, DO

Hometown: Long Island, NY
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Finding new coffee shops, shopping, singing

Valerie Foy, DO

Hometown: Ivyland, PA
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Trying new coffee spots, taking a solidcore class, playing with my pups (Chip and Ollie)

Mairead Moloney, DO

Hometown: Stony Brook, NY
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Interests: Traveling, trying new coffee places, decorating, shopping at TJMaxx/Marshall’s