The Dermatology Interest Group for Auckland medical students.

If you have an interest in dermatology this is the group to join!

Established in 2013 we want to provide a greater exposure to dermatology in an informal and fun setting.

The group is open to all Auckland University medical students of any year.

The “DIG” is run by students and supported by Dr Paul Jarrett, Dermatologist at Middlemore Hospital and Honorary Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland.

Our adopted charity is the Melanoma Foundation of New Zealand. If you have fund raising ideas we would love to hear them.

For more information about dermatology conditions take a look at Dermnet.

Dermatology Interest Group (DIG)

DIG is a nationwide, student-led group open to all Auckland or Otago medical students with an interest in dermatology. Established in Auckland in 2013 and expanding to Otago in 2021, DIG aims to provide accessible opportunities for students passionate about dermatology.

DIG, while student-run, would only be able to reach its success and engagement attained today with the unwavering support of Dr Paul Jarrett (Dermatologist at Middlemore Hospital and Honorary Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, The University of Auckland), NZDSI, and DermNet.

2024 NZDSI Conference

Held in the picturesque Ōtepoti Dunedin, the 2024 NZDSI Conference delivered an informative, engaging, and eye-opening programme featuring international keynote speakers Prof. Daniel Siegel (USA) and Dr Shyam Verma (India). The meticulously curated programme was a standout feature, complemented by engaging conference exhibitions, both of which were highly valued by the student delegates. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to DermNet for subsidising attendance for 20 medical students and to the NZDSI Conference coordinators for facilitating this invaluable opportunity.

DIG x DSAS Quiz Night

The collaborative quiz night with DSAS (Dunedin Society of Aspiring Surgeons) was a resounding success, drawing over a dozen teams who enjoyed pizza and exciting prizes. This joint event continues a tradition of collaborative DIG events with other local student groups, underscoring the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, providing students with an engaging platform to explore dermatology’s role within the wider medical field.

Auckland on-campus talk: More than Skin Deep

The "More than Skin Deep" event featured inspiring talks by Dr. Sabrina Sapsford, Dr. Harriet Bell, Dr. Leah Jones, and Dr. Paul Jarrett. Hosted on the Auckland campus and streamed live, this session explored dermatology careers and intriguing case studies, highlighting the specialty's depth and diversity.

DermNet Collaborations

This year, DIG had the exciting opportunity to collaborate with DermNet on two student-driven projects. The first was a website validator, where students were tasked with checking the new website to ensure all information was accurate and that pages displayed correctly. The second project brought a team of medical students together to design a Student Hub for DermNet. The goal was to create a centralised platform tailored for students interested in dermatology. This hub will offer a wide range of resources, from medical knowledge and educational tools to career opportunities and volunteering options, making it a one-stop destination for aspiring dermatologists.

Stay Connected: DIG Facebook Group  DIG Instagram

National Medical Students’ Dermatology Interest Group (DIG) 2023 Christchurch conference

2023 marks the 10 year anniversary of DIG, a now pan-New Zealand medical student association. To commemorate this special year, New Zealand students’ Dermatology Conference was held in Christchurch, in hope of tackling the inequity of Dermatology teaching and exposure across New Zealand. The event was a great success with students leaving the conference truly inspired. We would like to extend our thank you to all our speakers and guests, Dr Paul Jarrett, Dr Ken MacDonald, Dr Aravind Chandran, Dr Louise Reiche, Dr Mairi-Clare Ferguson, Dr Aaron Secrest and Dr Gabrielle Mclean.

Auckland Fundraiser for Melanoma New Zealand

The Dermatology Interest group successfully fundraised $370 dollars for Melanoma New Zealand, showcasing their ongoing relationship with the community. Going forward, DIG is planning to work more closely with Melanoma New Zealand in serving the community through volunteering. Jihee, president of DIG, and Andrea, the Chief Executive of Melanoma New Zealand, are working hard to make this happen. Thank you Alessandra, the Melanoma NZ office manager, and the Melanoma NZ team for liaising with and supporting DIG.

Establishment of DIG to be a pan-New Zealand organisation

From 2021 Dermatology Interest group has established itself as a national medical student organisation connecting both Auckland and Otago medical students to the dermatology community. On the 3rd of August, DIG co-hosted a suturing workshop in Dunedin, marking the first on campus event in the South Island. From here, DIG will continue to deliver various opportunities to increase dermatology exposure for students across New Zealand.