Cutaneous Miscellaneous: The Dermatology Residents Podcast

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Mohs fellow Justin Marson, MD, and cosmetic fellow Saira Agarwala ,MD, for a special live discussion recorded at the Real World Dermatology for Residents 2026 Conference on preparing for the APPLIED Exam. Sharing their own experiences and study strategies, they offer practical guidance on how APPLIED differs from the CORE Exam, what resources they found most valuable, and how residents can approach preparation without overcomplicating their study plans. The conversation covers high-yield resources, the role of dermatopathology, how to prioritize study efforts in the months and weeks leading up to the exam, and the importance of trusting the clinical foundation developed throughout residency. Tune in to the episode to hear practical exam-preparation advice, learn which study resources recent test-takers found most useful, and gain insights into approaching the APPLIED Exam with confidence.

In this live-recorded episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by Danielle Dubin, MD, assistant professor and assistant program director in the department of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Leena Ramani, MD, hair transplant fellow and dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, for a dynamic discussion recorded at the Real World Dermatology For Residents Conference at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They share key insights on how the APPLIED exam differs from the CORE Exam, offering strategies for tackling second-order, management-focused questions. The group also highlights their favorite study resources, including the Anki deck based on Review of Dermatology by Alikhan and Hocker, Boards University, and their preferred dermatopathology review resource. High-yield topics discussed include which question bank should be used, effective pathology study techniques, and tips for avoiding overstudying. The episode wraps up with words of encouragement, and even a lighthearted chat about their ideal Vegas night out. Whether you’re preparing for the APPLIED exam or simply curious about the exam residents need to take to become board certified in dermatology, this episode is packed with practical advice and insider tips you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by dermatologist and dermatopathologist Michelle Tarbox, MD, to break down a crucial resident skill: dermoscopy. They kick things off with practical board review on the busy dermis and vacuolar interface patterns, covering how to build a differential, what features not to miss (hello, sneaky metastases), and how to work through normal-looking slides that may not be so normal after all. Then they dive into dermoscopy, discussing how to learn it, how to use it in clinic, and why it’s become the dermatologist’s equivalent of a stethoscope. Dr. Tarbox shares real clinical cases—including melanoma masqueraders, foreign body imposters, and heart-shaped seborrheic keratoses—with image-by-image insights on what to look for and why. Whether you're prepping for boards or aiming to sharpen your day-to-day diagnostic skills, this episode is packed with high-yield pearls and a few great analogies, too.

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes Naiem Issa, MD, for an in-depth discussion on topical therapies in dermatology, covering both traditional treatments and the latest innovations, focusing on tapinarof and roflumilast. The episode begins with a board review of eczematous and papulosquamous diseases, including CARP, asteatotic eczema, nummular dermatitis, and pityriasis rosea, highlighting key diagnostic clues, treatment approaches, and must-know information for residents. They then explore the role of topical therapies in treating psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, emphasizing patient expectations, positioning treatments effectively, and the balance between topicals and systemic options. They provide insights into newer agents like tapinarof and roflumilast, discussing their mechanisms of action, clinical use, and combination strategies for enhanced efficacy. The episode wraps up with practical pearls for residents, including how to navigate access issues, gain hands-on experience with new therapies, and stay updated on emerging therapies. Tune in for a high-yield discussion packed with clinical takeaways!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, host Nicholas Brownstone, MD, welcomes guest Stephanie Fabbro, MD, to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology, with practical applications for residents and early-career dermatologists. They begin with a board review on cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its most common form, mycosis fungoides (MF), highlighting key diagnostic features, histological findings, and hypopigmented variants in skin of color. They explore treatment options and clinical pearls for CTCL variants like Sézary syndrome and lymphomatoid papulosis. The discussion then transitions to AI’s potential to enhance the residency experience. Dr Fabbro shares insights on using AI for clinical differentials, board prep, and residency candidate selection. She offers practical tips on leveraging AI for time management, staying current with dermatologic research, and simplifying tasks like clinic notes and contract reviews. Tune in to learn how AI can transform your residency experience and support your journey into dermatologic practice!

In this episode of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, Dr. Nicholas Brownstone welcomes Dr Peter Lio, founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, to discuss the 3 FDA-approved biologics for atopic dermatitis, focusing on the latest addition, lebrikizumab. With more options for atopic dermatitis come new challenges for clinicians. Dr Lio offers practical insights on differentiating dupilumab, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab, all targeting the IL-4/13 pathways but with distinct binding and dosing characteristics. He explains his decision-making process for starting biologics, discusses patient education on safety, and provides valuable strategies for navigating insurance. For residents, Dr Lio shares tips on gaining hands-on experience with biologics, staying updated on upcoming treatments like OX40 inhibitors, and key board review topics, including the differences in binding sites, side effects, and dosing protocols of these agents. Tune in to the full episode for high-yield information and clinical pearls for dermatologists navigating the evolving landscape of atopic dermatitis treatments! Need help keeping track of all the approved medications discussed in this episode? Check out our quick-reference chart that includes essential details on FDA-approved ages, dosing, and mechanisms of action for biologics in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

In episode 29 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, our host, Nicholas Brownstone, MD, is joined by dermatologist Graham Litchman, DO, and Tobin Dickerson, PhD, chief scientific officer and cofounder of Mindera Health, to explore an innovative technology in psoriasis management. Drs Brownstone and Litchman begin with a board review on HPV and warts, highlighting key HPV types, their associated warts, and helpful mnemonic devices to aid memorization. They then discuss Tobin Dickerson’s development of the Mind.Px dermal patch, a groundbreaking tool designed to optimize treatment decisions for psoriasis patients. Dr Litchman shares his approach to selecting biologics and how the Mind.Px test integrates into clinical workflows, from improving prior authorization to enhancing patient outcomes. The episode concludes with a look at the MATCH1 and STAMP2 studies validating this technology and advice for residents on getting involved with this cutting-edge tool. Tune in for essential board review tips and to learn how the Mind.Px dermal patch is shaping the future of psoriasis treatment! References: Strober B, Bukhalo M, Armstrong A, et al. Interim clinical utility findings of a transcriptomic psoriasis biologic test demonstrate altered physician prescribing behavior and improved patient outcomes. SKIN J Cutan Med. 2022;6(6):458-462. doi:10.25251/skin.6.6.2 Bagel J, Wang Y, Montomery P III, et al. A machine learning-based test for predicting response to psoriasis biologics. SKIN J Cutan Med. 2021;5(6):621-638. doi:10.25251/skin.5.6.5

In episode 27 of Cutaneous Miscellaneous, our host, Nicholas Brownstone, MD, speaks with Stephen Lewellis, MD, PhD, FAAD, founder and owner of Above & Beyond Dermatology based in Wisconsin. The episode begins with board review on the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). Dr Brownstone offers a helpful way to remember the different pediatric forms of diseases. Dr Brownstone then asks Dr Lewellis to discuss the topic of direct care dermatology. Dr Lewellis discusses the theory behind direct care dermatology, the principles behind this care model, and the advantages and disadvantages. Dr Brownstone asks Dr Lewellis about his personal experience transitioning from an employed position to a direct care practice and offers advice for others considering the same.