Goodman Dermatology Residency Program

About Residency Programs

In 1961, the first Dermatology residency training program in Georgia was developed at Emory University, with the formation of the Division of Dermatology as part of its Department of Medicine.(1) For over 50 years, this was the sole Dermatology residency in the greater Atlanta area. Goodman Dermatology, in conjunction with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, is proud to have formed the second dermatology residency training program in the Atlanta area in 2013. Our program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), in which our residents take the same board certification exam as the graduating Emory Dermatology residents.

Who Leads Our Residency Program?

Goodman Dermatology is one of the only private practice dermatology programs in the country. This reflects the expertise of our outstanding providers, Dr. Marcus Goodman, Dr. Christopher Buckley, Dr. Heather Ivy and Dr. Dionne Louis. Our resident physicians are some of the most knowledgeable in the country, which is displayed by the fact Dr. Ivy is a previous graduate of the program. The six current residents practice under the instruction of these tremendous physicians. Current residents also follow a well-rounded curriculum taught by some of the top surgeons and dermatopathologists in the country.

What Education Is Required?

The education required to become a dermatologist consists of four years of undergraduate studies followed by four years of medical school. After graduating from medical school, a doctorate degree is obtained, and one is able to work as a licensed physician; however, further training is required within the field of dermatology. Four years of residency training, in both clinics and hospitals under the supervision of board-certified physicians, are required before a resident physician is eligible to become board certified as a dermatologist.

Why Are Residency Programs Important?

As part of a residency program, Goodman Dermatology remains at the forefront of research and new innovations in the field of dermatology, while bringing the most up-to-date and evidence-based treatment techniques to our patients. Residents and faculty are involved in the CorEvitas (formerly Corrona) Psoriasis Patient Registry which is a national patient registry focused on collecting and analyzing data to assess the safety and effectiveness of several biologic treatments for psoriasis. Additionally, the registry will help physicians across the country to better understand psoriasis as well as the comorbidities associated with the disease. Residents and faculty have also published case reports and review articles in several journals. This comprehensive training, within the context of a trusted community-centered private practice, is a unique feature of this residency and results in high-quality care, with an emphasis placed on maintaining close relationships with all our patients. Goodman Dermatology is proud to train and educate the next generation of Dermatologists and will continue to meet the needs of our community with the highest standards.

“The nation continues to face a significant physician shortage. As our patient population continues to grow and age, we must begin to train more doctors if we wish to meet the health care needs of all Americans.” – AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD, in response to the 2017 IHS Market Study on physician supply and demand.(2)

Studies and projections over the past decade continue to show there is a shortage of physicians in the United States, and this shortage has led to unmet needs within communities across the country. This is especially true in Georgia, which ranks 38th in the country for the ratio of doctors per 100,000 people according to a 2018 report released by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).(3) In order to address this shortage and meet the needs of our community, it is essential that we continue to support and foster the training of new physicians.