About our Department

Chair’s Message

Robert Dellavalle, MD, PhD, MSPH

Welcome to the Department of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Our mission is to cure skin, hair, and nail disease through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community engagement.

Our team of board-certified dermatologists provide dermatological care to both children and adults. Our clinical services include pediatric dermatology, adult medical dermatology, Mohs micrographic and cutaneous surgery, dermatopathology, hospitalized patient consultation, contact allergy testing, and cosmetic dermatology.

Our education programs include the training of medical students, residents, and fellows. We offer two residency programs  in categorical dermatology (3 year program, 4-5 positions/year) and combined internal medicine-dermatology (5 year program, 2 positions/year), fellowships in micrographic (Mohs) surgery, pediatrics, and allergy/dermatoimmunology. Our residents train at multiple clinical sites including Hennepin County Hospital, and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. In 2024, nine University of Minnesota medical students matched into dermatology residencies across the United States.

Our department houses more than thirteen ongoing clinical trials investigating the treatment of dermatomyositis, scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, alopecia areata, and hidradenitis suppurativa. We are also heavily involved in the mentorship and education of University of Minnesota medical students.

In addition to providing care at our primary sites, the University of Minnesota Medical Center and the Masonic Children’s Hospital, we also are proud to offer dermatologic care  at Hennepin County Medical Center Hospital and the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, key sites in providing care to underserved and Veteran communities. Our department is committed to fostering a supportive and just culture and to the success of all of our hard-working students, staff, and faculty.