The Path to Becoming a Board Certified Dermatologist

​The path to becoming a board-certified veterinary dermatologist is not for the faint of heart.  Those who wish to become a dermatologist must complete a one-year internship in internal medicine, surgery and emergency medicine.  Many also complete a one-year specialty dermatology internship.  Once the internship requirement has been met, the veterinarian must be accepted into a 3-year dermatology residency program.   The residency program is rigorous, involving in-depth, mentor-directed study plans, original research with a requirement for publication, and case reports.  Once the veterinarian has completed their residency program, they are eligible to take the board exam.  The board exam is very difficult and only 10 to 15 veterinarians pass the exam each year.  
 
McKeever Dermatology Clinics is home to 1 of only 36 dermatology residency programs in the United States.  Residency programs are approved and monitored by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology.  
 
There are fewer than 450 veterinary dermatologists and dermatology residents in the United States.  There are nearly 60,000 veterinarians in the United States.  
 
At McKeever Dermatology Clinics, we recognize our unique position in the veterinary community, and we are committed to sharing our expertise by teaching the next generation of veterinary students.  People who bring their pets to see us will often find a veterinary student tagging along with the dermatologist.  
 
We are also committed to providing continuing education for our veterinary colleagues.  Our dermatologists are sought after speakers, have published original research in peer reviewed scientific journals and have co-authored text books.  We also provide practical dermatology tips and topic reviews in our collaborative newsletter: The Veterinary Consultants.
 
We are committed to continuing our own education.  We are review the latest research through our weekly journal club, and we attend dermatology conferences in the US (NAVDF) and throughout the world. 
 
We are committed to protecting public health.  Several skin conditions that afflict animals are zoonotic, meaning that these conditions can affect humans if left untreated.
 
Above all, we are committed to our patients.