Chicago-Area Academic Dermatology: Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, Loyola and UI Health

This guide doesn't rank these departments or recommend doctors. It summarizes what each institution publishes about its dermatology unit, so you can decide where to call and land on the right page the first time.

Northwestern Medicine and Feinberg School of Medicine

Northwestern Medicine has a dedicated dermatology care-area page, the patient-facing starting point for clinical services. The academic side sits in Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine's Department of Dermatology.

According to Northwestern Medicine, the department's research covers skin inflammation, skin cancer, keratinocyte biology, wound healing and epithelial stem cells. Feinberg says the department trains dermatology residents, fellows, graduate students and allied health staff.

If you want to book, start on the Northwestern Medicine care-area page rather than the medical school's site, which is aimed at trainees and researchers.

University of Chicago Medicine: Section of Dermatology

At UChicago, dermatology is organized as a Section within the Department of Medicine rather than a standalone department. Basic science research in the Section is led by Yu-Ying He, PhD, according to its research programs page.

The Section runs an active dermatology residency. The NRMP program directory lists it under NRMP code 1160080A0 and ACGME code 0801611033.

Rush University Medical Center

Rush Medical College has a Department of Dermatology whose listed programs include:

• Autoimmune bullous disease
• Connective tissue disease
• Cosmetic dermatology
• Cutaneous lymphoma

Rush says it offers dermatology care in Chicago, Aurora and Oak Brook. If you live west of the city, a suburban site may be closer to home. If you're interested in one of the specialized programs above, ask which location handles it before you book.

Loyola Medicine and Stritch School of Medicine (Maywood)

Loyola runs a dermatology residency with monthly grand rounds on the Stritch School of Medicine campus in Maywood. Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine lists dermatology under its Department of Medicine.

A Stritch elective course catalog entry lists dermatology clinics at these sites:

• Hines VA
• Oak Brook Terrace
• Burr Ridge
• Homer Glen

UI Health and the University of Illinois Chicago

UI Health's dermatology clinic is at University of Illinois Hospital, 1740 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612. Its conditions we treat page lists acne, eczema and psoriasis among the conditions the clinic sees.

The Department of Dermatology is headed by Maria Tsoukas. UI Health's find-a-doctor directory also lists a dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer and Mohs surgery. UIC keeps a separate contact page for the Dermatology Clinic and department.

Side-by-side summary

How to approach an academic department

1. Find the patient-facing pageHospitals and their medical schools often run separate websites, as Northwestern and Rush do. Use the hospital's dermatology page for appointments and the academic pages for background.
2. Check your plan firstAsk your insurer whether you need a referral and whether the specific location is in network. Our referrals and insurance guide lists the questions to ask.
3. Name your concern clearlyWhen you call, say what you need in plain terms, such as a second opinion or help with a condition another doctor has already diagnosed. Ask which clinic or program handles it.
4. Ask about location and staffingAsk which site you would be seen at. Several of these departments train residents and fellows, so it's reasonable to ask how your visit will be staffed.
5. Gather your recordsHave prior visit notes, test results and a list of treatments you've already tried ready to share, or ask the office how to send them in advance.
6. Verify the licenseLook up the doctor you'll see in the IDFPR License Lookup. Our verification guide shows how.

What an academic label does and doesn't tell you

A department's research focus tells you what its faculty study. On its own, it doesn't tell you which clinician will see you, how long you'll wait or whether your plan covers the visit.

Named programs, like Rush's cutaneous lymphoma or connective tissue disease programs, are a clue that a department has a dedicated focus on that kind of condition. Ask the office whether the program sees patients directly and how to be scheduled into it.

Whether a teaching center is the right fit for your situation is a medical question. Your current dermatologist or primary care clinician can help you weigh it.

Frequently asked questions