DEPARTMENT OF DERMATOLOGY

U.T. SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER

Brief History:

A Division of Dermatology was established in the Department of Internal Medicine by James H. Herndon, Jr. in July, 1972. Robert G. Freeman, Professor of Pathology, served as the second faculty member, and clinical activities were facilitated by prominent dermatologists from the private practice community, including Drs. Shelmire, Fox, Blair, Jacobson, Brown, Weakley and others. A residency training program was established soon thereafter, and James N. Gilliam joined the faculty in 1973.

James Gilliam assumed the Chairmanship of the Division in July, 1979 and Chairmanship of the new Department of Dermatology in September, 1982; he died in June of 1984. Faculty members at that time included Drs. Bergstresser, Tigelaar, Sontheimer, Charley, Tharp, and Roberts.

Paul Bergstresser assumed responsibility for the Department in 1984, becoming Chairman in 1986. Since that time, there has been substantial change in the organization of the Department, reflecting increasing priorities by the University for expanded clinical services and a recognized need within the Department to provide comprehensive clinical training for residents. At the same time, the national prominence held by the department in basic and clinical investigation has been maintained and strengthened.