Education and Certificate Programs

Dr. Vashi offers certificate programs through the International Graduate Training Program in Dermatology at Boston University.

The Certificate in Clinical Dermatology

This program is geared for trainees who would like to engage into clinical research activities while also learning general dermatology clinical skills.  In this program, trainees will engage in the projects of Vashi Lab to develop an understanding of research design and implementation, institutional review board processes, data acquisition and synthesis, and writing skills.  These activities by prior trainees have resulted in several publications in high impact dermatologic journals including the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD), JAMA Dermatology, and the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) along with national presentations as outlined below.  While this program has a research focus with the majority of time in scholarly activity, trainees will also participate in clinical care in general dermatology.  Distinguishing our program from others in the U.S., under direct faculty supervision, trainees take medical histories, examine patients, document the visits in electronic medical records, and perform a wide range of dermatologic procedures.

The Certificate in Clinical Dermatology

  • Cosmetic and Procedural Dermatology
  • Disorders of Ethnic Skin
  • Clinical Research and General Dermatology

These are advanced programs geared towards trained physicians with appropriate level of prior clinical experience who desire a more in-depth knowledge and practice of cosmetic and procedural dermatology and/or disorders of ethnic skin. This program may be tailored to accommodate certain areas of interest of the student.  A unique training experience in Boston, the program provides international dermatologists with the opportunity to develop the clinical expertise and research and writing skills needed to advance their portfolio in dermatology.

  • Clinic Activities: Clinical activities include general, cosmetic, and procedural dermatology.  By the end of the year, trainees should be able to be knowledgeable about general dermatology, excisions, laser procedures, neuromodulation, sclerotherapy, fat removal, scar treatment, treatment geared towards pigmentation disorders, soft-tissue fillers, and other cosmetic procedures.
  • Research Activities: Trainees are expected to also be engaged in research activities in which they will develop an understanding of research design and implementation, institutional review board processes, data acquisition and synthesis, and writing skills.

All programs involve direct patient care with hands-on clinical participation under direct faculty supervision. Application requirements include a medical degree from a recognized university, a year of internship, one or more years of experience in medicine (preferably with an emphasis in dermatology), and proficiency in English.  Excellent TOEFL or IELTS scores are required.

Selected publications of prior certificate recipients (trainee names are bolded):

  1. Maymone M, Vashi NA.  Progressive Macular Hypomelanosis. In P. B. Love, R. V. Kundu (Eds.), Clinical Cases in Skin of Color: Adnexal, Inflammation, Infections, and Pigmentary Disorders(first edition).  London: Springer, ISBN 978-3-319-22391-9, November, 2015
  2. Vashi NA, Maymone M.  Approach and Resources.   In N. A. Vashi (Ed.), Beauty and Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Clinician’s Guide(first edition).  New York: Springer Science + Business Media LLC, ISBN 978-3319178660, September, 2015
  3. Maymone M, Larson AR.  Mucosal Lesions in Skin of Color.In N. A. Vashi, H. Maibach (Eds.), Dermatoanthropology of Ethnic Skin and Hair.  New York: Springer Science + Business Media LLC, ISBN 978-3-319-53961-4, June, 2017
  4. Vashi NA, Wirya S, Inyang M, Kundu RV.  Facial hyperpigmentation in skin of color: special considerations and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017;18(2):215-230.
  5. Maymone M, Neamah HH, Wirya SA, Patzelt NM, Zancanaro PQ, Vashi NA. Sun protective behaviors in patients with cutaneous hyperpigmentation: A cross-sectional study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(5):841–846.e2.
  6. Wirya SAMaymone MBC, Widjajahakim R, Vashi NA.  Subclinical melasma: Determining disease extent.   J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(2):e41-e42.
  7. Maymone MBC, Neamah HH, Wirya SA, Patzelt NM, Secemsky EA, Zancanaro PQ, Vashi NA.  Background and Room Illumination in Color Identification of Skin Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study.  JAMA Dermatol. 2017; 153(10):1059-1061.
  8. Vashi NA, Maymone MBC, Kundu RV. Author’s Reply to Cohen: Facial Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color: Special Considerations and Treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017: 18(4):595-596
  9. Vashi NA, Maymone MBC. An Average Face.  JAMA Dermatol. 2017; 153(9):891.
  10. Maymone MBC, Neamah HH, Wirya SA, Patzelt NM, Secemsky EA, Zancanaro PQ, Vashi NA.  The impact of skin hyperpigmentation and hyperchromia on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.  J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(4):775-778.
  11. Vashi NA, Maymone MBC. Dysmorphophobia and The Wolf Man.  JAMA Dermatol. 2017; 153(10):1031.
  12. Rajanala S, Maymone MBC, Vashi NA. Cleopatra and Sour Milk: The Ancient Practice of Chemical Peeling.  JAMA Dermatol.  2017; 153(10);1006.
  13. Maymone MBC, Neamah HH, Secemsky EA, Kundu RV, Saade D, Vashi NA. The Most Beautiful People: Evolving Standards of Beauty.  JAMA Dermatol.  2017; 153(12):1327-1329.
  14. Al-Haseni AG, Maymone MBC, Ho JD, Bhawan J, Vashi NA. Generalized dyschromia and erythematous papules.  Am J Dermatopathol. 2017 Apr 25. [Epub ahead of print]
  15. Maymone MBC, Ho JD, Saadeh D, Bhawan J, Vashi NA. Asymptomatic Acquired Facial Hyperpigmentation.  Am J Dermatopathol.  2018 Jan 11 [Epub ahead of print]]
  16. Vashi NA, Patzelt N, Wirya SMaymone MBC, Kundu RV.  Dermatoses secondary to cultural practices. Part I. Therapeutic practices.  Accepted to J Am Acad Dermatol
  17. Vashi NA, Patzelt N,Wirya SMaymone MBCZancanaro P, Kundu RV.  Dermatoses secondary to cultural practices. Part II. Cosmetic practices. Accepted to J Am Acad Dermatol
  18. Maymone MBC, Neamah HH, Secemsky EA, Vashi NA. Correlating the Dermatology Life Quality Index and Skin Discoloration Impact Evaluation Questionnaire Tools in Disorders of Hyperpigmentation. Accepted to Jnl of Dermatology.
  19. Saade D, Maymone MBC, Kennedy KF, Secemsky EA, Vashi, NA. Patterns of Over the Counter Lightening Agent Use among Patients with Hyperpigmentation Disorders: A United States-based Cohort Study.  Accepted to J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.
  20. Venkatesh S, Maymone MBC, Vashi NA. Peer Reviews: The Dreaded Rejection. Accepted to Dermatol Online J.
  21. Saade D, Maymone MBC, Vashi NA. Colors Beyond the Visible. Accepted to JAMA Dermatol
  22. Saade D, Higham C, Vashi NA. A Case Series of Orf Infection After the Religious Sacrifice Feast, Eid al-Adha. Accepted to JAAD Case Rep.
  23. Vemula S and Maymone MBC, Secemsky EA, Widjajahakim R, Patzelt NM, Saade D, Vashi NA. Assessing the Safety of Superficial Chemical Peels in Darker Skin: A Retrospective Study. Accepted  to J Am Acad Dermatol.
  24. Maymone MBC, Venkatesh S, Secemsky EA, Reddy K, Vashi NA. Research Techniques Made Simple: Web-based Survey Research in Dermatology: Conduct and Applications.  Accepted to J Invest Dermatol.

Selected presentations of prior certificate recipients (trainee names are bolded):

  1. Maymone M, Kundu RV, Vashi NA.  “Maturational hyperpigmentation: a distinct entity”, 12th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium, Washington, DC
  2. Maymone M, Neamah H, Vashi NA. “The impact of hyperpigmentation on quality of life”, 13th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium, Orlando, FL