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Dermatology in the United States has made tremendous strides since the first lectures on the subject were given in 1837 by Dr. Henry Daggett Bulkey at the Broome Street Infirmary for Diseases of the Skin in New York. Bulkey's pioneering work left an indelible impression on his son, Dr. L. Duncan Bulkey, who, in 1882 with a number of distinguished laymen, founded the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital, the first institution in America devoted entirely to the care of cutaneous diseases and cancer. It actually began operation in January 1883, in a small private house at 243 East 34th Street.
In 1884, an outpatient department at Fordham Heights was started and maintained by the Hospital for 13 years. The Bronx property was sold in 1897 when the city quarters were enlarged, and the hospital became a unit of New York Post-Graduate Medical School. It functioned in this way until November 1949, when a merger agreement between Skin and Cancer and officials of New York University made it part of the Department of Dermatology of NYU Medical Center. When the University Hospital building was completed in 1963, the Skin and Cancer Unit moved into its own pavilion.
In 1991, the Department was named in honor of Ronald O. Perelman in recognition of a generous gift from Mr. Perelman supporting the future development of the Department.
During the past 117 years, the Skin and Cancer Unit has compiled an impressive record of achievement in worldwide clinical and investigative dermatology. Many of the leading Departments of D ermatology in the country can trace their origins to those who taught and trained at Skin and Cancer, as can all of the important dermatologic organizations and most of the major dermatologic publications. For its part, the Department has served as an important bridge between the European tradition of 19th century dermatology and evolving biomedical science in the United States. Together, the Department and the Skin and Cancer Unit have gained national and international recognition and influence as standard bearers in clinical care, research and training.
Also read about: Clinical Facilities
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