Brett Coldiron, MD < Back Brett Coldiron, MD Faculty Brett Coldiron, MD, is one of the most distinguished Mohs surgeons in the world, having cured over 50,000 cases of skin cancers. In addition to founding the Skin Cancer Center, he has served as president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the American College of Mohs Surgery. Dr. Coldiron is President of Ohio Dermatological Foundation, and past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, representing 18,000 dermatologists worldwide. Qualifications Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati Ongoing research at the Skin Cancer Center, including: Patient safety and quality improvement Skin cancer epidemic Benchmarks for quality of skin cancer care Cost efficiencies of Mohs Surgery American Academy of Dermatology - Immediate Past President (2015-16); President (2014-15); President Elect (2013-14); Board of Directors (2009-present) Ohio State Medical Association – Counselor at Large (2015-2016) American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology – President (2011-2012); Vice President (2010-2011); Secretary-Treasurer (2008-2010); Board of Directors (2005-2008) Director, Good Samaritan TriHealth fellowship program in Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (2010-Present) American Society of Dermatologic Surgery - Board of Directors (2003-2006) Cincinnati Dermatological Society - President (2004-2005) Ohio Dermatological Association – President (1999-2000) Awards & Recognitions JDD Leaders of Distinction Award for Outstanding Leadership in Promoting the Field of Dermatology (2016) International Training Mentorship Program Outstanding Contribution Award (2014) Clinical Educator of the Year (2014) American Society of Dermatologic Surgery President’s Award for leadership and promoting safety of office-based surgery (2013) Distinguished Service Award, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology (2007) Dermatologist of the Year – Ohio Dermatologic Association (2001) Distringuished Leader Award Clarence A. Jackson Service Award for outstanding achievement, National Association of Wabash College Men (2000) Consistently named “Best Doctors” in Cincinnati and America Over 72 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 5 book chapters (as of 2015) Distinguished lecturer: University of Cincinnati, Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, New York University, Wake Forest University, University of Arkansas Distinguished international lecturer: Canada, Indonesia, South Africa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, India Education Dr. Coldiron is board certified in Internal Medicine (residency at the University Hospital, Cincinnati), Dermatology (residency at University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas Parkland Memorial Hospital), and fellowship trained in Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery (Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Chicago). PS Home

Joseph Merola, MD, MMS < Back Joseph Merola, MD, MMS Faculty Joseph F. Merola, M.D., M.M.S. , a leading clinician, researcher, and clinical investigator who treats immune-mediated diseases such as psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and lupus, has been named Chair of Dermatology . Dr. Merola, who joined UT Southwestern October 16, 2023. came from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. He held many leadership positions there, including Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology in Clinical Trials and Innovation, Director of the Clinical Unit for Research Innovation and Trials, Director of the Center for Skin and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases, and Director of the Harvard Combined Internal Medicine-Dermatology Residency Training Program. He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine and a Master of Medical Sciences degree from Harvard Medical School. He then completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania, a residency in dermatology at New York University Medical Center, and both a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “The multidisciplinary skills, clinical expertise, and leadership record that Dr. Merola brings will expand the Department of Dermatology’s tradition for excellence and further enhance our institution as a national hub for discovery and innovation,” said W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D. , Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Merola specializes in hard-to-treat cases of immune-related inflammatory disorders, which can lead to damage to skin, cartilage, bone, and internal organs. He is the Founding President of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Clinics Multicenter Advancement Network, Vice President of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee, and President of the Medical Dermatology Society, among multiple other leadership positions. He also has led clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health and the pharmaceutical industry related to inflammatory skin and joint disease including psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, and he has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles. PS Home

Practical Symposium | Summer Sharpen Your Dermatology, Clinicopathologic & Business Skills. Join us August 20-23, 2026, in Vail, CO Hotel & Travel PS Home PS26 Register Attendee Brochure Discover what the locals know: We came for the winter but stayed for the summer. You'll want to spend the long days outdoors with the amazing summer climate. Whether your idea of fun is being active outdoors or relaxing by the pool with a good book, the choices are plentiful. Here are some of the local's favorite things to do in the summertime in the Vail Valley: Hiking | Biking Tennis | Pickleball | Golf Festivals | Wine tasting Ziplining | Ballooning Rafting | Kayaking | Fishing Horseback riding And so much more! 2025 Hotel Accommodations Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort 136 East Thomas Place Beaver Creek, CO 81620 A limited number of Park Hyatt hotel rooms have been reserved at the special $369 conference rates for the Practical Symposium. These rooms are only available to registered attendees on a first-come basis. The special rate ends when the room block sells out. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | Reservation Link | ROOM BLOCK IS SOLD OUT Beaver Creek Lodge 26 Avondale Lane Beaver Creek, CO 81620 A limited number of Beaver Creek Lodge hotel rooms have been reserved at the special $320 conference rates for the Practical Symposium. These rooms are only available to registered attendees on a first-come basis. The special rate ends when the room block sells out. Beaver Creek Lodge | Reservation Link Note: The lecture room, exhibit hall, meals, and social events are all held within the Gerald Ford Center. This venue is approximately 75 yards from both hotels. Other Lodging Options: There are numerous hotels, VRBOs, and AirBNBs in the immediate Beaver Creek area. Ground Transportation Epic Mountain Express To & From Airport / Hotel (Reservation Required) 1-800-525-6363 | Epic Mountain Express Website Airport Options Denver International Airport - DEN Denver, CO (~2 hour drive to hotel) Eagle County Airport - EGE Gypsum, CO (~30 minute drive to hotel)

Mark Nestor, MD, PhD < Back Mark Nestor, MD, PhD Faculty Mark S. Nestor, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.D. is a board-certified Dermatologist and serves as Director of the Center for Clinical and Cosmetic Research™ and the Center for Cosmetic Enhancement®, Aventura, Florida. He is a Voluntary Professor in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and the Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. He is the current President of the American Cutaneous Oncology Society, a past President of the American Society for Photodynamic Therapy, the International Society for Cosmetic and Laser Surgeons, and the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. As Director for CCCR, he has conducted more than 150 FDA and non-FDA clinical trials. Dr. Nestor is recognized as a world expert in clinical therapeutics, drug delivery systems, and research in many areas of clinical Dermatology and aesthetics including acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer, light therapies to treat skin disease, cutaneous laser surgery, photodynamic therapy, and Superficial Radiation Therapy. His aesthetic expertise includes lasers, RF, and other devices, fillers and he recently developed new clinical postulates for botulinum toxins. He has authored over 100 articles and book chapters, has delivered over 1000 major presentations around the world, and is viewed as an internationally acclaimed lecturer and instructor of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. Dr. Nestor also serves as a consultant to numerous pharmaceutical and device companies assisting them in the development of new medications, devices, and cosmeceuticals. He received his MD and PhD in Immunopathology from UCLA School of Medicine and completed his Dermatology Residency at NYU. PS Home

TCOM-affiliated dermatology residency program begins in July 2023.Health Education Services | Dermatology Residency Program < Back Health Education Services | Dermatology Residency Program HSC Newsroom Jul 10, 2023 TCOM-affiliated dermatology residency program begins in July 2023. The rise in physician shortages across the United States has left many specialties scrambling for answers, but the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is addressing the shortfall with a new dermatology residency program that is set to begin in July. The residency will have three residents per class with a total of nine positions once fully enrolled. The first three residents begin their training with Dr. Clay Cockerell and other faculty in July. “We started thinking about this many years ago because there is a growing need for dermatologists in the United States,” Cockerell said. “The average waiting time to see a dermatologist is really long and most people don’t know there is a shortage that’s only getting worse. We were presented with the opportunity to pursue this residency to train more dermatologists, which is one of the hardest specialties to get into in all of medicine, and progressed forward with the program.” The program was many years in the making. Starting in 2018, Dr. Lisa Nash began the cumbersome process of setting up this new residency program, which on average takes six-to-12 months of planning and preparation for the application. Typically, it’s two more years until a program has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Then COVID-19 came along and slowed the process down even further, but Nash kept pursuing initial accreditation, which came on April 21, 2023 — and not a moment too soon. The field has seen the average wait time to see a dermatologist increase 33% from 24.3 days to 32.3 days from 2004 to 2017. In 2022, the trend lines continued higher with another increase of seven percent to an average of 34.5 days. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the specialty is expected to see a shortage ranging from 3,800 to 13,400 physicians in the coming decades. Despite missing the Match for the Class of 2023, the new TCOM-affiliated residency program had no trouble attracting top candidates for the initial class. “Even though we didn’t go through the match this year, we found 20-25 people who heard that our program was approved and went through the interview process,” Cockerell said. “We found three excellent candidates who we are very excited about.” The competitive nature of dermatology as a top specialty is born out in the 2023 match statistics. There were 864 applicants for 499 positions that were offered. “These students are traditionally among the most academically accomplished in their medical school classes,” Nash said. What the new residents will find as they train with Cockerell and his colleagues is a unique dermatology experience. He operates Cockerell Dermatopathology in Dallas, which combines dermatology with pathology. The residents can expect a very classical style of training that will also give them the ability to learn about surgery, pathology, pediatric dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and other sub-specialties of dermatology. “We are very excited about this opportunity because while we don’t have all the resources of a major academic institution, we do have a great group of dermatologists who are dedicated to teaching,” Cockerell said. “Our residents will be in the clinic seeing patients as well as at our dermatopathology practice where they will get to see many biopsy specimens, including the ones that they take from their patients. Along with very good didactic sessions and lectures, we want our residents to attend various conferences that are local, regional and national.” The field has grown significantly since Cockerell started his practice decades ago. What was a traditional practice of general dermatology has since expanded into new subspecialty areas such as dermatologic surgery, pediatric dermatology, medical dermatology and cosmetic dermatology, among others. There are also many new treatments and therapeutic agents that were not available in the past.“ There have been a lot of changes in dermatology from when I first started,” said Cockerell said. “There have been dramatic breakthroughs in therapy which has become a major part of our field.” The specialty is rapidly growing, but the number of residencies isn’t keeping up with the demand. TCOM’s partnership with Cockerell and his dedicated colleagues will help alleviate some of the growing shortages. The program is going to give the residents an opportunity to not just learn dermatology but the versatility of business, finances and even legal issues. “We want them to become high-quality dermatologists and have expertise in the field, but also in a number of other things,” said Cockerell, who also has two MBA degrees and a JD degree. “I want them to feel comfortable to be able open their own practice if they choose and understand the business and legal aspects of medicine, which is so lacking in medical educational programs, so they won’t be a deer in the headlights when they graduate. We also will expect them to develop an area of expertise so they can be known as an expert on some topic when they graduate from our program.” Link to online article About Clay J. Cockerell, MD, JD, MBA Dr. Clay J. Cockerell is a world-renowned specialist in treating and diagnosing skin disorders and has diagnosed over three million biopsies. An internationally recognized pioneer in his field and double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Cockerell has been practicing medicine since 1986. He is currently the Founder & President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and the Program Director of the Health Education Services dermatology residency program sponsored by the Lake Granbury Medical Center. Also, Dr. Cockerell sees patients a few days per month to assist with resident training and to keep his clinicopathological skills sharp. Dr. Cockerell has held numerous leadership positions within several highly regarded medical associations. Most notably, he served as the President, Secretary & Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology, President of the Texas Dermatological Society, and President of the Dallas Dermatological Society. Also, Dr. Cockerell holds leadership roles as Founder and President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and a former AmeriPath Board of Directors member. Dr. Cockerell and his wife, Brenda, had a lifelong dream of producing wine and, in 2005, purchased a vineyard in Calistoga, California. They now produce wine under the Coquerel Family Wine Estates label. Dr. Cockerel and Brenda have two children, Charles and Lillian, and they have been married for forty-six years. In addition, Dr. Cockerell and Brenda enjoy traveling, golf, and winter sports. About Cockerell Dermatopathology The Cockerell Dermatopathology story begins with Dr. Clay J. Cockerell's vision to establish a practice whose mission is to treat each specimen as if it came from one of own family members. Family! At Cockerell Dermatopathology, every employee is driven by a relentless pursuit of diagnostic excellence. We specialize in evaluating dermatologic disorders, tackling cases ranging from the routine to the most challenging. Our practice continuously invests in cutting-edge technologies to best serve each referring clinician and their patients. These innovations result in higher-quality diagnostic slides, quicker turnaround times for routine cases, and seamless deployment of EMR interfaces. From an educational perspective, Cockerell Dermatopathology is more than a dermatopathology practice. We host numerous in-person and internet-based education events and boast a state-of-the-art 14-headed microscope for dermatology resident training sessions. Our services extend beyond borders, serving hundreds of clinicians in Texas, throughout the United States, and globally. With a highly accessible team of board-certified dermatopathologists and a dedicated support staff, our vision is simple yet profound. Family, we treat every specimen as if it were from one of our own family members. Previous Next

Kelly Carter Nelson, MD < Back Kelly Carter Nelson, MD Faculty Professor of Dermatology, MD Anderson Cancer Center Dr. Nelson serves as the associate medical director for the multidisciplinary Melanoma and Skin Clinic. Dr. Nelson earned her medical degree and completed dermatology residency training at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, and is board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Dr. Nelson’s clinical practice focuses on the care of high-risk cutaneous oncology patients, and her funded research leverages educational theory, implementation science, and geospatial modeling approaches to support melanoma secondary prevention for the state of Texas. Also, she is a passionate teacher and has developed an evidence-based interactive web-based curriculum to teach dermoscopy to dermatology residents (DERM:Early Melanoma Detection), which reaches over 400 dermatology residents a year. PS Home

Clay Cockerell, MD, MBA, JD < Back Clay Cockerell, MD, MBA, JD Educational Managing Director Cockerell Dermatopathology , Founder & President Health Education Services sponsored by Lake Granbury Medical Center, Program Director, Residency Program Dermpath On Demand , Co-Founder & Educational Director Dr. Clay J. Cockerell is a world-renowned specialist in treating and diagnosing skin disorders and has diagnosed over three million biopsies. An internationally recognized pioneer in his field and double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Cockerell has been practicing medicine since 1986. He is currently the Founder & President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and the Program Director of the Health Education Services dermatology residency program sponsored by the Lake Granbury Medical Center. Also, Dr. Cockerell sees patients a few days per month to assist with resident training and to keep his clinicopathological skills sharp. Dr. Cockerell has held numerous leadership positions within several highly regarded medical associations. Most notably, he served as the President, Secretary & Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology, President of the Texas Dermatological Society, and President of the Dallas Dermatological Society. Also, Dr. Cockerell holds leadership roles as Founder and President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and a former AmeriPath Board of Directors member. Dr. Cockerell and his wife, Brenda, had a lifelong dream of producing wine and, in 2005, purchased a vineyard in Calistoga, California. They now produce wine under the Coquerel Family Wine Estates label. Dr. Cockerel and Brenda have two children, Charles and Lillian, and they have been married for forty-six years. In addition, Dr. Cockerell and Brenda enjoy traveling, golf, and winter sports. DOD Home

Business 201 Faculty < Back Clay Cockerell, MD, MBA, JD President & Founder Cockerell Dermatopathology , Founder & President Health Education Services sponsored by Lake Granbury Medical Center, Program Director, Residency Program Dermpath On Demand , Co-Founder & Educational Director Dr. Clay J. Cockerell is a world-renowned specialist in treating and diagnosing skin disorders and has diagnosed over three million biopsies. An internationally recognized pioneer in his field and double board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, Dr. Cockerell has been practicing medicine since 1986. He is currently the Founder & President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and the Program Director of the Health Education Services dermatology residency program sponsored by the Lake Granbury Medical Center. Also, Dr. Cockerell sees patients a few days per month to assist with resident training and to keep his clinicopathological skills sharp. Dr. Cockerell has held numerous leadership positions within several highly regarded medical associations. Most notably, he served as the President, Secretary & Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology, President of the Texas Dermatological Society, and President of the Dallas Dermatological Society. Also, Dr. Cockerell holds leadership roles as Founder and President of Cockerell Dermatopathology and a former AmeriPath Board of Directors member. Dr. Cockerell and his wife, Brenda, had a lifelong dream of producing wine and, in 2005, purchased a vineyard in Calistoga, California. They now produce wine under the Coquerel Family Wine Estates label. Dr. Cockerel and Brenda have two children, Charles and Lillian, and they have been married for forty-six years. In addition, Dr. Cockerell and Brenda enjoy traveling, golf, and winter sports. http://www.dermpath.com Business201 Home

William Posten, MD William Posten, MD Faculty Dr. William Posten is a board-certified, fellowship trained Mohs Surgeon practicing in Dallas, Texas. He received his bachelor’s degree with honors from Harvard University and his M.D. degree from Yale University. He did his dermatology residency training at Northwestern University. He then completed a combined fellowship in Mohs Surgery and Procedural Dermatology at University of Texas Southwestern. Dr. Posten currently serves as President of the Dallas Ft Worth Dermatological Society. He previously served as Secretary-Treasurer of this prestigious organization. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of both the American College of Mohs Surgery and the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the American Society of Dermatological Surgery. Dr. Posten authors original research on novel surgical techniques and his findings are regularly presented in national surgical meetings. Recently, Dr. Posten has been featured on Top Docs of DFW, a television program highlighting the leading physicians of Dallas Ft-Worth show on channel 33 KDAF-TV. Dr. Posten is on medical staff at Medical Cities Hospital of Dallas, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Baylor Hospital of Irving, and Zale Lipshy Hospital of Dallas. He teaches medical students and residents surgical skills at UT Southwestern Hospital, Parkland Hospital and the Dallas Veterans Affairs Hospital. Dr. Posten specializes in the treatment of skin cancers and other skin tumors. Dr. Posten believes in a compassionate, caring philosophy that is reflected in the clinical care that he provides. His hobbies include painting and sculpture. He is married with 2 children. He looks forward to meeting you at the Dallas, Las Colinas, and Highland Village offices. PS Winter Home

Brion Hurley < Back Brion Hurley Faculty Mr. Brion Hurley is an independent Lean Six Sigma consultant helping organizations save money, improve quality and safety, mitigate risks, and enhance operational flow. My approach leads to higher employee, customer, and stakeholder satisfaction. Proven ROI: Organizations that apply Lean Six Sigma through improvement projects can recoup their training costs in under 3 months! With 25+ years of experience working in Aerospace, Food and Beverage, Healthcare, Automotive, Logistics and the Nonprofit sectors, I’ve helped organizations achieve the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, and Profit) by integrating process excellence with sustainability. Brion is also the author of "Lean Six Sigma for Good" and editor of "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba," sharing insights on using improvement principles for social and environmental impact. Vision: To establish volunteer Lean and Six Sigma consulting support for nonprofits and NGOs in every city worldwide. Passions & Focus Areas: Clean Air and Water Zero Waste & Food Waste Reduction Vegan & Sustainable Lifestyles Solar Energy & Renewable Solutions PS Home

Aaron Farberg, MD < Back Aaron Farberg, MD Faculty Aaron S. Farberg, M.D. is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon that specializes in skin cancer, inflammatory diseases, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Farberg is a summa cum laude graduate of Emory University and continued his education at the University of Michigan, where he received his medical degree. Dr. Farberg’s post-graduate training includes additional residency years at the University of Michigan in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and, in New York, as a clinical research fellow in association with the National Society for Cutaneous Medicine and New York University. He then remained in New York, completing another residency in Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he served as chief resident. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Farberg has been a clinical investigator on numerous studies, including FDA clinical trials. He is an accomplished author and has published over 100 articles in professional medical journals. He serves as a member of the editorial board for several medical journals including Dermatology & Therapy and SKIN. Dr. Farberg also founded the Dermatology Science and Research Foundation to provide dermatology education to his patients and peers. Dr. Farberg has been recognized as one of Dallas’s leading dermatologists with numerous awards and honors. He most recently was ranked by his dermatology colleagues in Newsweek Magazine as the #1 medical dermatologist in Texas and #6 in the entire country. While in New York he served as a consultant dermatologist for the New York Yankees. PS Home

Business 201 Faculty < Back Mark Spalding Executive Wealth Manager For two decades, Mark has advised high net worth individuals and families experiencing a variety of financial issues including divorce, business sales, retirement planning, and inheritance. Mark brings to FPA his extensive experience providing financial and wealth management advice, which in many cases includes wealth preservation and income strategies as the cornerstone of the portfolio design and construction. He takes special care to tailor each portfolio to meet the unique requirements, specific goals and objectives, and stated risk tolerance of each client. Mark is regularly engaged by other professional advisors, CPAs, and attorneys whose clients require financial advice on such matters as property division recommendations, tax and wealth preservation strategies, and asset allocation recommendations. Mark transitioned into being a financial advisor after many years of practicing law. In that role, he regularly worked with clients experiencing large financial transactions, noting that the all too frequent lack of effective planning for major life events left many legal clients bereft of their financial goals. Mark’s legal expertise enhances his financial advice and adds a layer of comfort to clients facing complex financial issues. By applying a proper balance of both disciplines, he more ably helps clients plan for their futures and build portfolios that account for taxes and estate planning laws. Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. He’s served on the boards of several non-profit organizations focused on veterans and children. He is an avid athlete, having played college football at UCLA, but he has since replaced his cleats with snowboard boots, golf clubs, and a fishing pole. Mark is a former Marine Corps officer who deeply values integrity, honesty, and loyalty in his relationships. http://www.finplaninfo.com Business201 Home