Brigham and Women's Hospital's Department of Dermatology is one of the youngest in the country, but in a very short period of time has become one of the largest, most diverse, and internationally renowned Department in the world. We became a Hospital department in 2000, and an independent Harvard Medical School appointing department in 2008. With our 58 faculty, 53 of whom care for patients, we diagnose, treat, and perform research on nearly every skin disease and cancer known to humankind.
Our clinical program includes 7 geographic sites, including the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, in addition to BWH associated locations. Centers of excellence in melanoma and pigmented lesions, cutaneous lymphomas, Merkel cell carcinoma, graft vs host disease, toxicities of cancer chemotherapies, infectious disease, wound healing, Dermatology/Rheumatology , phototherapy, autoimmune blistering diseases, vitiligo, hair disorders, skin of color, aesthetic dermatology, allergic contact dermatitis and Mohs micrographic surgery feature physicians leaders with local, national, and international reputations. Each of these physicians, as well as a talented cadre of junior and senior dermatologists, cares for patients with general medical and surgical dermatologic needs, from those that are straightforward to those that are uniquely complex. We know of no more comprehensive department in terms of breadth of clinical skills and interests.
Our research program is world renowned, and is the site of the first discovery of the molecule that mediates T cell homing to skin, the discovery of skin homing T cells, the discovery of molecules on bone marrow derived and other stem cells that allow them to traffic to skin, and the discovery of new superior approaches to making vaccines. Expertise in melanoma, T cells, dendritic cells, squamous cell cancer, and glycobiology help define our spectrum of excellence. Our total NIH funded has been in the top 3 departments in the country since our inception. We also host several important NIH grants, including a Center for Glycobiology from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, a Transformative Research Award from the NIH Directors office, and multiple other grants from the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute for Arthritis and Skin Diseases. The creation of new knowledge through research is the linchpin of the department.
Teaching is central to our mission, and many of our faculty have won teaching awards and are sought after mentors. We have had more than 295 residents, medical students, graduate students, and other learners pass through our department in the last year alone. Many of our faculty also participate in formal teaching of Harvard Medical Students, and most give lectures at national and international meetings. The dissemination of new knowledge, and the mentoring of our future scientists and physicians, helps define who we are.
The glue that holds these endeavors together, and permits them to reach heights of excellence admired nationally and internationally, is a team of talented administrative personnel, whose creativity, energy and innovation provides the fuel for progress.
Taken together, we feel our department is unique in the world, combining scientific and clinical excellence, as well as teaching and training, at a scope and scale with is unprecedented, and with a collaborative and collegial spirit which is a model for other departments to emulate.
Our Clinical Team
Brigham and Women’s Hospital has experts in every dermatological specialty. We can help you find your dermatologist by name or specialty.
