Travis Vandergriff, M.D.

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Robert G. Freeman, M.D. and Clay J. Cockerell, M.D. Chair in Dermatopathology

Dermatology - General
Melanoma
Skin Cancer

Biography

Travis W. Vandergriff, M.D., is a Professor in the Department of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He has a joint appointment in the Department of Pathology.

Dr. Vandergriff is both a general dermatologist and a dermatopathologist, and he has special expertise in diagnosing skin cancer.

Board certified in both dermatology and dermatopathology (American Board of Dermatology and American Board of Pathology), he serves as Director of UT Southwestern’s dermatopathology service and as Assistant Director of the Dermatopathology Fellowship Program.

Dr. Vandergriff’s professional honors include the Department of Dermatology’s 2014 Outstanding Teacher Award and a three-time Texas Rising Star designation by Super Doctors®.

His research interests include melanoma and other skin cancers, as well as medical education. He has co-authored 16 textbooks and published nearly 40 scholarly articles related to dermatology and dermatopathology.

Dr. Vandergriff earned his medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed a transitional-year internship at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver before coming to UT Southwestern to perform a residency in dermatology (serving as Chief Resident) and a fellowship in dermatopathology.

He also holds a B.A. in linguistics and Spanish literature from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude in the Plan II Honors program.

Dr. Vandergriff speaks both English and Spanish. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2011.

Meet Dr. Vandergriff

Dermatologist in Dallas

Dr. Travis Vandergriff has two important roles at UT Southwestern Medical Center when it comes to caring for patients with skin diseases.

As a dermatologist and dermatopathologist, Dr. Vandergriff evaluates and treats general dermatology patients with a wide variety of skin conditions – from eczema and acne to dermatitis and rashes. His primary clinical interest, however, is treating patients with all types of skin cancer.

He specializes in helping patients with a history of skin cancer, those at high risk for the disease, and people who are concerned that they may have it because of the presence of atypical moles, lesions, or other symptoms.

Board certified and fellowship trained in dermatopathology , Dr. Vandergriff is an expert in microscopically examining and interpreting skin biopsies (tissue samples), including cases of suspected skin cancer.

“Because our ultimate goal is to choose the most appropriate treatment for every patient’s specific condition, the most essential part of treating a patient is making sure you have the right diagnosis,” he says.

“By interpreting patients’ biopsies within the context of their clinical findings, I can provide the most accurate diagnoses possible for skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.”

Teaching Tomorrow’s Specialists

Named a Super Doctors® Texas Rising Star three times, Dr. Vandergriff is also active in teaching tomorrow’s dermatologists and dermatopathologists.

“I try to instill in our residents a curiosity about skin disease and its diagnosis, and to teach them to think critically and problem-solve,” he says.

“Many different diseases involve the skin, so dermatologists really have to know a lot about general medicine and the ways skin issues can be clues to other processes going on internally.”

Dr. Vandergriff notes there is a special satisfaction in being able to help people with skin diseases.

“I enjoy the challenge of figuring out a problem and solving a mystery, especially when it’s something that's not obvious,” he says. “And treating people with skin diseases is rewarding because, in many cases, patients are able to see the results of treatment almost immediately.

Education & Training

Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2012-2013), Dermatopathology
Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2008-2011), Dermatology
Internship - Presbyterian - St. Luke's Medical Center (2007-2008), Transitional Year
Medical School - Baylor College of Medicine (2003-2007)