The University of Iowa hires Dr. John B. Kessler as its first dermatology physician and lecturer in 1899, six years before the department is officially formed.

The newly formed Department of Dermatology and Syphilology occupies a small section of the University of Iowa's East Hall, which became Seashore Hall. Dr. Kessler is the department's sole physician.

Dr. John B. Kessler becomes the first Professor and Head of Dermatology, a post he retained until his retirement in 1934.

Construction of the General Hospital concludes on the west side of the Iowa River, and Dermatology moves into five small rooms on the second floor, adjacent to the medical inpatient unit.

Dr. James Kessler succeeds his father as acting head of Dermatology and Syphilology.

Dr. Ruben Nomland, a fellow at the Mayo Clinic and Rush Medical College, becomes the chair of the department and makes major contributions to the study of many dermatologic disorders and diseases as an educator, practitioner, and researcher.

The department continues to grow under Dr. Nomland’s leadership and with the medical advancements of the twentieth century. With the development of penicillin, infections rates of syphilis drastically decreased, prompting the department to shorten its name in 1979 to simply the Department of Dermatology.

Dr. Robert Gibson Carney, Sr., a resident under Dr. Nomland, becomes the department head. As the department continues to grow, Dermatology moves first to the Steindler Building, then to Boyd Tower.

Dr. John S. Strauss takes over as department head and focuses heavily on expanding the research side of the department. 

Dr. Richard Sontheimer becomes Chair of Dermatology following Dr. Strauss' retirement and holds the position until 2005.

Dr. Fairley is named Chair of Dermatology and continues Dr. Strauss' emphasis on dermatologic research. During her tenure, the department grows to include twelve faculty physicians, one faculty researcher, and sixteen residents.

The department moves to its current home in Pomerantz Family Pavilion. The clinic on the third floor holds over 20 patient rooms nine procedure rooms, resident, faculty, and nursing workspaces, and a phototherapy unit. 

Dr. Ali Jabbari, a faculty physician and researcher specializing in the study of alopecia areata, is named Chair of Dermatology, and Dr. Fairley stays with the department as Emeritus Faculty. 

The residency program increases to admit seven new physicians per class, for a total of twenty-one residents and one surgical fellow by 2027. 

Our providers now see patients at the University Campus, Iowa River Landing, Quad Cities, VA Medical Center, and Cedar Rapids.