MEDICALLY SOUND CARE STARTS WITH BOARD-CERTIFICATION AND HERE’S HOW!
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. There is no better reason to find an experienced, board-certified dermatologist to provide regular skin exams, check any moles or growths that concern you, and provide state-of-the-art treatment. At Midwest Dermatology, our physicians are experienced at detecting the trickiest skin cancers because all of our physicians are board-certified, some DOUBLE board-certified, and even TRIPLE board-certified.
Specialists are certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). They currently recognize 24 specialties, like internal medicine and plastic surgery. Dermatology is a recognized specialty, and board-certification is given by the American Board of Dermatology.
Board-certification ensures that physicians and specialists demonstrate competence and professionalism throughout their careers.
In addition to being board-certified in dermatology, ALL FOUR of our physicians are Fellows of The American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD). This designation is given to dermatologist who are board-certified and have completed years of rigorous training.
Adding a Mohs Surgery Board Certification
Recently, The American Board of Dermatology received approval from the American Board of Medical Specialties for a new board-certification in Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery (MDS), or Mohs Surgery.
A Board-Certified Mohs Surgeon requires the following:
- Rigorous Training and Education: A Board-Certified Mohs Surgeon is a dermatologist who has completed additional training in Mohs surgery. This training focuses on mastering the complexities of Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatopathology (the study of skin pathology), and surgical reconstruction techniques.
- Board-Certification: Mohs surgeons can become board-certified by the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) after completing the program. To achieve this certification, surgeons must pass a comprehensive examination that tests their knowledge and skills in Mohs surgery, dermatopathology, and surgical reconstruction.
- Ongoing Commitment to Excellence: Maintaining board-certification requires ongoing education, skill assessment, and participation in activities that ensure the surgeon remains up to date with the latest advancements in Mohs surgery.
All three of Midwest Dermatology’s Mohs surgeons are board-certified in Mohs surgery. Choosing Midwest Dermatology means that you will rest easy knowing that your best skin will always receive our highest level of commitment.
Board-Certified DermatoPATHOLOGY: Another Important Credential
A dermatopathologist is a medical doctor who specializes in dermatology and pathology. They diagnose diseases of the hair, skin, and nails by reading microscopic samples taken during biopsy and surgery.
Our dermatopathologist oversees our pathology lab, ensuring excellent and timely results for all in-house pathology, including the on-the-spot processing done during Mohs surgery. Melissa D. Darling, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and dermatopathologist, making her triple-board certified. Hands up for Dr. Darling!
We also have close relationships with dermatopathologists outside of the practice for those occasions when an immediate second opinion is needed.
Getting it right is our number one concern, and we have all the tools to ensure the highest level of care.
Taking It To The Next Level With A Mohs Fellowship
For our most challenging skin cancer cases, we are proud to have Dr. Collin Parker on staff, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon who happens to have also completed the prestigious Mohs Fellowship. Granted by the American College of Mohs Surgery, a Mohs Fellowship is an intensive program that includes extensive training and experience in Mohs skin cancer surgery, reading and interpreting skin pathology, and complex reconstructive surgery.
To complete an ACMS-approved fellowship, a physician must:
- Participate in a minimum of 500 Mohs surgery cases
- Learn to accurately interpret slides of tissue samples that have been removed during Mohs surgery
- Perform a wide breadth of reconstructions, ranging from simple closures to complicated multi-step repairs
During their extensive training, Mohs fellows gain a breadth of exposure that includes rare tumor pathology, difficult tumor locations, and complex wound reconstruction.
What Makes Mohs Surgery So Important
With a cure rate close to 99%, Mohs Surgery is the best treatment for most non-melanoma skin cancers. During Mohs, your physician will serve as your surgeon, with a technique designed to track and remove cancer growing under the visible portion of the skin; as well as taking the role of your pathologist, reading slides as the skin is removed to determine if all the edges are free of cancer. The surgeon uses corrective techniques to repair the site, ensuring a cosmetic and functional result that often makes the surgery hard to detect after it has healed.
Midwest Dermatology is proud of our years of experience and ongoing advancement in the field of dermatology and skin cancer. For board-certified treatment, four physicians are standing by to help you diagnose and treat all skin cancers and guide you through education regarding warning signs and preventative steps. Call (402) 933-0800 for your appointment or schedule online at midwestderm.com.