Medical ProfessionalsEducationEducational Exchange and MentorshipPreceptorship Program

Important Dates:

  • The 2025 Preceptorship application period is closed.
  • All Rotations Complete by: Dec. 10, 2025
  • All Post-Visit Documents due by: Dec. 15, 2025

 

Preceptorship Program 

 

The 2025 ASDS Preceptorship Program provides residents and early-career members with the opportunity to visit the practice of an established dermatologic surgeon. Participants will advance their skills in core areas of practice, including procedures and techniques not previously learned in their residency. The visit provides a unique opportunity to learn new approaches and perspectives to patient care, see a successful practice in action and develop valuable career networks.

All grant funding applications have been filled. If you would like to apply to the ASDS Preceptorship Program and complete a rotation without grant funding, please email education@asds.net.

Preceptorship visits must be completed by Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Requirements:

  • Second-year residents may apply as long as the preceptorship occurs during their third-year of residency.
  • The program will be open to all dermatology residents in their final year of residency or entering their final year, provided the preceptorship visit occurs during their final year of residency.
  • Early-career is defined as a dermatology member less than five years out of residency.

 

Areas of Practice 

  • Blepharoplasty
  • Chemical peel
  • Dermabrasion
  • Fillers and neuromodulators
  • Laser
  • Lifts: Face, brow, neck and S-lift
  • Liposuction
  • Reconstruction
  • Skin cancer surgery
  • Treatment of venous disease
  • Other dermatologic surgery procedures

Program Goals

Provide a venue for early-career members to expand their skills and knowledge in a particular technique or surgical procedure.

Enhance and complement the surgical skills of early-career members in various surgical procedures, especially those not predominantly emphasized in fellowship programs.

Provide ASDS members, who serve as preceptors, the opportunity to raise the level of dermatologic surgery through mentoring.

 

Testimonials 

Preceptor Cameron Chesnut, MD, with Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellow R. Blake Steele, MD, and Preceptee Adam Chahine, MD.
"The ASDS preceptorship is an excellent opportunity to pursue rotations with mentors that you wouldn’t otherwise experience. My rotation was amazing. I saw cosmetic surgeries and procedures that I did not even know existed. I learned so many new techniques and ways that I can implement more cosmetics into my practice."

Preceptee Andrew Villanueva, MD, with Preceptor Mary Maloney, MD.
"I was able to witness multiple Mohs cases during my week, many requiring larger reconstructions including varies flaps and all forms of grafts. I learned new reconstruction techniques after Mohs surgery and gained several new surgical pearls that will stay with me for the rest of my career."

Preceptee Caroline Morris, MD, with Preceptor Anna Bar, MD.
"This program allowed me the opportunity to refine my surgical knowledge and skills. I had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a different clinical setting, learning differences and nuances in practice management and surgical technique. Through this rotation, I was able to advance my surgical skills and further my clinical dermatologic knowledge. I also had the opportunity to expand my career network. This experience was tremendously beneficial as I finish my dermatologic training and transition into practice."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preceptee Fatima Fahs, MD, with preceptor Kimberly Butterwick, MD.
“This opportunity provided me an inside look into Dr. Butterwick’s daily life as a cosmetic dermatologist. I observed cutting-edge procedures and the latest and greatest in cosmetic dermatology. I also witnessed why she has excellent patient rapport. One of our days started off bright and early in the office operating room as we gowned up and prepared for a liposuction and fat transfer case. Dr. Butterwick is a master of liposuction, and I learned so much watching her do this procedure! We wrapped up our case and bounced from room to room as I watched her skillfully administer neuromodulators and dermal fillers. Her artistic touch and ability to assess each individual patient to provide the best cosmetic outcome was amazing! I also spent time with Dr. Douglas Wu, who has mastered the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation with lasers, and Dr. Monica Boen, who shed light on her techniques administering dermal fillers with a cannula. I returned to Detroit with a repertoire of new skills to enhance my own patient care and results.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preceptee Daniel Knabel, MD, (far right) with preceptor Ian Maher, MD.
“A particular highlight of my time with Dr. Maher was learning about his approach to treating melanoma in situ of the face with micrographic surgery. Through my dermatology residency, I developed an interest in melanoma, particularly histology and immunohistochemistry. While rotating with Dr. Maher, I had the opportunity to observe a case of melanoma in situ of the eyelid treated with micrographic surgery. I was able to witness the staining process and interpretation of both H&E and Mart1 immunohistochemistry sections. With this technique, we were able to completely remove the patient’s melanoma while preserving important structures near the eye.”

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Preceptee Nikhil Shyam, MD, with preceptor Marc Avram, MD
“My time with Dr. Avram was invaluable as I was able to observe and learn about hair loss from one of the leading experts in the field. I saw how Dr. Avram interacted with patients during the consultation process, which is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment plan. He addressed patient’s concerns and utilized his expertise to guide treatments that were both in line with the patient’s wishes but would deliver the best therapeutic efficacy. I learned about surgical hair restoration by observing both the elliptical or follicular unit transplant technique as well as robotic surgery utilizing follicular unit extraction. I also learned the various aspects involved in establishing a practice with an emphasis on medical and surgical hair restoration. Overall, my preceptorship experience with Dr. Avram provided me with the tools necessary to be confident in helping patients with hair loss and in establishing the most optimal and individualized treatment plan for each patient. Perhaps more importantly, my preceptorship experience allowed me to connect and share ideas with leaders in the field.”

 

Preceptee Krista Larson, MD, with preceptor Ellen Marmur, MD.
“This experience really gave me a great opportunity to learn new cosmetic dermatology and Mohs surgery skills from one of the leaders in the field. I learned about new filler and neurotoxin techniques as well as CoolSculpting, Thermage, lasers and PRP. My current career goal is to join a private practice after finishing residency. I learned so much about office management and work flow from Dr. Marmur too. This preceptorship was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it.”

 

Become a Preceptor Volunteer 

What is the cost to being a preceptor?

All travel expenses are the responsibility of the preceptee and ASDS; there is no direct cost for the preceptor.

What is the process to become a preceptor?

If you would like to be added to the Preceptor List, please email education@asds.net.

Apply Now

Why volunteer to be an ASDS Preceptor?

  • Provide early-career dermatologists, who serve as preceptees, the opportunity to raise their level of dermatologic surgery through mentoring. Enhance and complement the surgical skills of ASDS resident and early-career members in areas necessary to conduct optimal patient consultation and assessments, therapy and device selection, procedural nuances and overall patient care.
  • Enhance practice-focused business acumen such as optimizing patient flow, decreasing overhead, improving efficiency and productivity, practice expansion and more.
  • Facilitate the ability for new dermatologists and experienced ASDS members to partner in positively impacting the specialty of dermatologic surgery and the patients they serve.
  • Provide ASDS members, who serve as preceptors, the opportunity to improve their mentoring skills through a unique interface program.

What is the time commitment for a preceptor?

Preceptors are able to mentor up to three preceptees per year. Preceptors decide the length of each visit (usually 3-5 days), their level of involvement (i.e. observation only, hands-on opportunities, etc.) and the number of preceptees to mentor in a given year.