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UF Health University of Florida
Department of Dermatology College of Medicine
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Education Overview

Dermatologic Surgery

(PGY2, PGY3, PGY4)

During their rotations in dermatologic surgery, residents gain exposure to surgical therapies for benign and malignant cutaneous neoplasms, in addition to cosmetic procedures.

In Dermatologic surgery, residents will:

  • Become proficient in basic surgical skills: shave and punch biopsies, simple excisions and repairs, cryotherapy
  • Become proficient in wide local excisions and intermediate repairs
  • Learn and apply universal precautions
  • Understand the indications for and techniques of Mohs Micrographic Surgery
  • Interpreting frozen sections of skin
  • Design and perform flap repairs
  • Plan and perform full thickness and split thickness skin grafts
  • Learn and apply the concepts of first and second intention wound healing
  • Learn the principles of wound care, including appropriate use of pressure and synthetic surgical dressings
  • Prescribe analgesics appropriately and safely
  • Acquire experience in laser surgery, chemical peels, botulinum toxin, and soft tissue fillers

Faculty

UF Health Dermatology at Springhill

Joseph K Francis

Joseph K Francis MD, FAAD, FACMS

Email: josephfrancis@ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100279
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Full Profile
Sailesh Konda

Sailesh Konda MD, FAAD, FACMS

Email: sailesh.konda@ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
4037 NW 86TH TER FL 4
 GAINESVILLE FL 32606
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Abel Torres

Abel Torres MD, JD, MBA, FAAD, FACMS

Email: abeltorres@dermatology.med.ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100279
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Full Profile

Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Abel Torres

Abel Torres MD, JD, MBA, FAAD, FACMS

Chairman & Professor
Department: MD-DERMATOLOGY
Phone: (352) 594-1919
Email: abeltorres@dermatology.med.ufl.edu
Mailing Address:
PO Box 100279
 GAINESVILLE FL 32610

Dr. Torres is a clinician, researcher, educator and lawyer serving as chair of the University of Florida Department of Dermatology. He has Board Certification in Internal Medicine and Dermatology and Bar/Law License Certification and has devoted his career to tackling complex dermatologic conditions, providing excellent patient care, embarking on extensive research and training medical students, residents and fellows in both the clinical, surgical and legal areas of medicine.

He has led research on topics including the treatment of leg ulcers and burns, precancerous lesions such as actinic keratosis and skin cancer. Dr. Torres’ current research interests include establishing the role of topical immunomodulators in the treatment of skin cancers, as well as noninvasive techniques in skin cancer detection and surgery.

Dr. Torres completed an advanced International Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Seville, Spain and a Dermatologic Surgery at the University of California at San Francisco where he received intensive training in Skin Cancer Surgery including Mohs Surgery and Reconstruction and Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery. His Cosmetic Surgery training includes lasers, liposuction surgery, fillers, neuromodulators/Botox, micro and macrodermabrasion, microneedling, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), chemical peeling and more. He has since directed fellowship training programs training dermatologists and post training fellows at the Brigham and Woman’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Loma Linda University, Case Western Reserve University/MetroHealth Systems and most recently at the University of Florida Gainesville.

Accomplishments:
  • Chairman & Professor of Dermatology
    2018-Current · University of Florida, College of Medicine
  • President of the American Academy of Dermatology
    2016-2017 · American Academy of Dermatology
  • Treasurer
    2012-2015 · American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Board
  • Member of the Board of Directors, American Academy of Dermatology
    2011-2014 · American Academy of Dermatology
  • Member of the Board of Directors, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
    2009-2012 · American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
Certifications:
  • Dermatology
    American Board of Dermatology
  • Mohs Fellowship Certificate
    American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology
Specialties:
  • Dermatology
Clinical Interests:
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Burns
  • Mohs micrographic surgery
  • Skin Cancer
Publications:
Grants:
  • Oct 2020 – Feb 2022
    Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Lebrikizumab in when used in Combination with Topical Corticosteroid Treatment in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis
    SYNEOS HEALTH · Principal Investigator
  • Sep 2018 ACTIVE
    A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled multicenter phase III study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BF-200 ALA (Ameluz) and BF-RhodoLED in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma with photodynamic therapy
    BIOFRONTERA BIOSCIENCE GMBH · Principal Investigator
Education:
  • 2014-2016
    MBA
    Weatherland School of Management, Case Western Reserve University
  • 1987-1991
    J.D.
    Loyola Marymount University Law School
  • 1977-1979
    Medical Degree
    Mount Sinai School of Medicine, CUNY
  • 1973-1977
    Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Sciences
    Sophie Davis Center for Biomedical Education, CUNY
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