Program Overview

Established in 2004, the Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) Fellowship Training Program at Ascension St. Vincent Medical Hospital in Indianapolis was among the first fellowship programs to receive ACGME accreditation. The one-year program is approved for two fellows each year. C. William Hanke, MD, has served as Program Director since the program’s inception. Thomas McGovern, MD, is the Associate Program Director. The primary training site is the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, a dermatology group practice on the north side of Indianapolis. Fellows also have responsibilities at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, located five blocks away. Ascension St. Vincent sponsors 175 residents and fellows across programs in internal medicine, family medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, OB-GYN, cardiology, and other specialties.

Training Experience

Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited dermatology residency to be eligible for the fellowship. The program offers comprehensive training in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction, laser surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Mornings are dedicated to Mohs surgery and repair, while afternoons include cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, tumescent liposuction, blepharoplasty, clinical trials, and related experiences.

Practice Setting and Faculty

The group practice includes three dermatologists, three PAs, three aestheticians, two histotechnologists, two clinical research staff members, and additional support staff. Dr. Hanke is also fellowship-trained and board-certified in dermatopathology, and a dermatopathology reading session takes place each afternoon. Medical students and residents are regularly present in the office, contributing to a strong academic environment. Clinical research trials are ongoing.

Clinical Responsibilities and Collaboration

Most Mohs repairs are performed on-site, although providers maintain close working relationships with specialists in facial plastic surgery, surgical oncology, ophthalmic plastic surgery, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.

Fellows take surgical call alongside Dr. Hanke. Most postoperative concerns are managed during the day or by telephone. Occasionally, the fellow and/or Dr. Hanke return to the office after hours to evaluate a patient in person.

Community Engagement

Fellows participate in periodic skin cancer screenings at Indianapolis Colts Training Camp, Carmel schools, and FDIC International, the annual firefighters’ convention held in Indianapolis.

Research and Graduate Outcomes

Each fellow develops individual research projects that are expected to result in publication. The program participates in the Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship Match Program sponsored by the American College of Mohs Surgery. Graduates pursue careers in academia, group practice, solo practice, hospital-based practice, and private practice. Current and previous fellows have served as academic Mohs surgeons at the University of Miami, Wake Forest University, Vanderbilt University, Boston University, and other respected institutions. The fellowship’s broad training prepares graduates for success in a wide range of practice settings.

About The Match

The match takes place in December and will be used to process all applicants who want to start their Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology Fellowship training in July of the following year. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet all prerequisites for eligibility prior to registering for the match. All match participants must agree and abide by the SF Match rules and policies, as well as any additional rules stated by the sponsoring group. Please review the Rules page prior to registering.

More specific program information can be found here.