Mark B. Gibbs, M.D.
Dermatology - House Officer II
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Class
of 2005
27, single
Why Michigan?
I selected Michigan because of the strong academic curriculum and daily conference schedule. Attending faculty either lead or are present for all conferences. Thus, there is always a knowledgeable person present to facilitate discussions and answer questions that may arise during our morning conferences.
Describe a typical day.
| 7:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. | Arrive and review dictations from the day before. This is a time to try to get some work done before lecture starts for the day. We are responsible for editing all dictations from the clinic the day before forwarding them to the attending for signature and review. |
| 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Lecture – varies from basic science journal club, clinical journal club, book club, diagnostic conference. |
| 9 a.m. – noon | Clinic. See patients, dictate notes, call follow-up patients. During this time, if an interesting patient is in clinic, all residents are asked to see the patient. Then we will have a brief 2-3 minute teaching session on the diagnosis during clinic. |
| Noon – 1 p.m. | Lunch, finish clinic notes, call back patients with biopsy results, answer their phone calls. |
| 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Clinic. |
| 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Finish dictations for the day, complete follow-up, go home. |
What are your joys and your challenges throughout the workday?
I really enjoy seeing many patients every day, thinking through differential diagnoses with each patient and various treatment options. I guess that is why I like dermatology. The high volume gives me this opportunity multiple times a day. Challenges include keeping organized on all the follow-up we have to do and staying disciplined to read every night despite being tired from clinic.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
The Department of Medicine sponsors an indoor basketball facility. Many residents from several departments play every week. This continues year round and moves to outdoor courts during the summer. It’s nice to have a set time when you can exercise and meet many other people.
If a prospective resident has free time in Ann Arbor while they're here interviewing, what would you recommend they do?
Walk around downtown Ann Arbor. Lots of restaurants.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Study as hard as I can to learn as much dermatology as I can.
Having been here for a while now, what is the number one reason you would recommend Michigan?
The relationship residents have with each other. Residency can be difficult, but having great people to work with makes it tolerable. In addition, every faculty member I have closely worked with has been very nice.
