HONE PA+NP Symposium Sharpen Your Clinical Skills Join us in Dallas, TX | September 12, 2026 Hone Home Hotel & Travel Symposium Location This year's symposium will be held at Cockerell Dermatopathology in the 6th floor conference center. AKA The Derm Loft! Cockerell Dermatopathology 2110 Research Row 6th Floor | The Derm Loft Dallas, TX 75235 There is plenty of free parking around the building. Nearby Hotels There are numerous hotels in the nearby area which are 5-10 minutes from Cockerell Dermatopathology (meeting location.) Marriott Double Tree Element ALoft Embassy Suites Holiday Inn Express and... Many More Airport Options Dallas Love Field (DAL) Dallas, TX DFW International Airport (DFW) Irving, TX

Dermpath On Demand is an online educational website for all things dermatopathology. Join Dr. Clay Cockerell in the library 24/7/365 to view eSlides and case review videos. Special Lectures DOD Home Zoom meeting link is embeded into the PDF.

Practical Symposium | Winter Learn, Shred, Learn! January 29 - February 1, 2026 The Hythe | Vail, CO 2026 Agenda [Draft] LEARN | SHRED | LEARN Attendee Brochure Register Today! PS Winter Home

HONE PA+NP Symposium Sharpen Your Clinical Skills Join us in Dallas, TX | September 12, 2026 Clay's Message Hone Home I am honored to present the 4th annual Hone PA+NP Symposium in Dallas, Texas. 2026 MESSAGE COMING SOON! HONE Register

Millions of skin cancers are diagnosed annually.Beware: Not All Labs are Created Equal < Back Beware: Not All Labs are Created Equal Clay Cockerell, MD, JD, MBA Nov 8, 2021 Millions of skin cancers are diagnosed annually. "There is a major epidemic of skin cancer in the world today. In the United States alone, millions of skin cancers will be diagnosed just this year," said Clay J. Cockerell, MD of Cockerell Dermatopathology. Furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 50 individuals born this year will develop malignant melanoma, the most dangerous and often life-threatening form of skin cancer in their lifetime. This cancer is the leading cause of death in young women in their 20's and 30's. However, skin cancers are most common in older people over the age of 50. Because of the gravity of this problem, it is vitally important that all individuals, especially those in the highest risk groups, understand how to recognize the signs of skin cancer and call it to the attention of their doctor, preferably someone with expertise in skin disorders. If there is suspicion that a spot may be skin cancer, a biopsy must be performed to make a diagnosis before treatment is undertaken. Getting an accurate diagnosis from the biopsy is critical as different treatments are used for different skin disorders, and if the lesion turns out to be benign, no treatment at all may be required. What many patients and surprisingly many doctors, especially non-dermatologists, do not understand, however, is that there is significant variation in the accuracy of different pathology labs depending on who is performing the examination of the biopsy. Many doctors try to reassure their patients that they are "sending the specimen to the lab." What you should ask your doctor is, "Which lab and who's going to be reading my biopsy"? CHANGING TIMES Years ago and still in many cases today, doctors, especially dermatologists, developed close working relationships with pathologists known as dermatopathologists, who are specially trained to interpret skin biopsies. With the ongoing evolution of health insurance companies, national laboratory companies made bids to provide laboratory services, mainly blood tests, for managed care plan patients. Because health insurance companies often look at all lab services as one, many of the specialized areas of pathology, such as dermatopathology, where an expert performs the service, were lumped into the same category as blood tests performed by a machine with no need for physician interpretation. Furthermore, there are cost pressures that discourage non-experts from seeking consultative second opinions from experts. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES A misread specimen can have serious consequences for a patient. Failure to diagnose skin cancer, especially melanoma, can result in a disease that can be cured, turning into a deadly process. On the other hand, overdiagnosis of something benign as cancer can lead to loss of insurance or significantly increased insurance premiums, not to mention unnecessary and sometimes disfiguring surgery. In some cases, patients simply go for months, sometimes years, with no diagnosis or an erroneous one. In addition to poor patient care, inaccurate lab results can lead to legal liability and increased health care costs. DEPENDING ON EXPERT DERMATOPATHOLOGISTS The most critical key to accuracy involves the expertise of the person who is reading your biopsy. While board-certified dermatopathologists are certainly the best trained to read skin biopsies, some general pathologists with interest and experience in dermatopathology can do a good job, especially if he or she has access to consultation with a board-certified dermatopathologist. In the ultimate analysis, it's not the label of the person who evaluates the slide that matters but his or her competence, said the late A. Bernard Ackerman, M.D. As a rule, Dr. Ackerman always noted that a board-certified dermatopathologist is best equipped to render an accurate diagnosis of a skin lesion that is difficult to diagnose under the microscope, a phenomenon that is surprisingly common. CHALLENGING LESIONS Expertise becomes even more crucial in lesions that are difficult to interpret. Some subtle skin disorders, such as mycosis fungoides, a rare type of skin lymphoma, require very special expertise to make the right diagnosis. Non-cancerous skin diseases due to inflammation, such as rashes, can be diagnosed accurately only by dermatopathologists. Other challenging diagnoses are diseases that produce blisters such as bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus, and epidermolysis bullosa. WORRISOME TREND Some health insurance companies require physicians to send specimens to a specific lab that may or may not have an individual with expertise in dermatopathology. Many health insurances have instituted programs to penalize physicians who fail to utilize contracted laboratories, a practice that has received criticism from many physicians across the U.S. Many dermatologists choose to opt-out of contracts in which the biopsies are "steered" to a non-desired lab. They fear that these labs might not provide complete service for their patients and pose a malpractice risk to them. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION Communication is another important factor in making sure your doctor gets the "right" answer in your skin biopsy. When your doctor, especially a dermatologist, performs a biopsy, he or she is not sending out a simple blood test to a nameless lab. He or she needs to know who the pathologists are and work with them. Some specimens can present subtleties that are quite difficult to interpret. Arriving at a correct diagnosis requires a good treating physician who can relay information between the doctor performing the biopsy and the pathologist. Lines of communication have to be open both ways so that the doctor can call the pathologist to ask questions about a result, and the pathologist can call the doctor when he needs clinical clarification. Unfortunately, in many labs, it is difficult to reach any pathologist to discuss a case. Furthermore, it is often necessary for a slide to be sent back to the doctor because the patient is going for a second opinion or for additional treatment. "It is often difficult to get slides from some labs," notes Dr. Clay Cockerell. OTHER SIGNS OF QUALITY High-quality labs perform daily quality control, and most perform special studies when required, such as immunophenotyping. They also comply fully with state, federal, and other regulations. A lab having accreditation is also a sign of quality because obtaining and maintaining certifications takes time and requires the passage of rigorous inspections. RAISING COMPLAINTS As many health insurance companies attempt to "steer" biopsies to large corporate labs with which they have a contract, it is quite possible that your doctor is not happy with the quality of the lab but feels compelled to use it nonetheless, especially if there is a risk of a penalty. If you or your doctor is not happy with the quality of service from a lab, a number of different steps can be taken. Generally, the first step is a letter from your doctor and, in some cases, from the patient addressed to the health insurance company expressing complaints. In response, the health insurance company may agree that your doctor can send the specimen to the lab of his choice. Another, although less satisfactory solution, is that your doctor can insist that the lab have a board-certified dermatopathologist on staff. That's not a substitute, though, for having someone read your specimens whom your doctor knows and trusts. Finally, another option is for the patient to pay for the biopsy interpretation out of pocket. Surprisingly, however, many patients are reluctant to do so because they feel as if they need to "get their money's worth" and go with what the insurance plan will pay for, even if the expense is relatively low. Many people have no problem shelling out $100.00 or more for things such as a dinner out on the town, but when it comes to paying for an expert interpretation of a skin biopsy that could save his/her life or that of a family member, they balk. BOTTOM LINE Ask your doctor where he or she would send the biopsy if it was from one of his or her family members. Then request the same for yourself. 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

HONE PA+NP Symposium Sharpen Your Clinical Skills Join us in Dallas, TX | September 12, 2026 Hone Home Pictures & Videos 1/1

Practical Symposium | Summer Sharpen Your Dermatology, Clinicopathologic & Business Skills. Join us August 20-23, 2026, in Vail, CO Symposium Links Clay's Message Who Should Attend Agenda Faculty Fees Hotel | Travel Industry Partners Social Media Submit Poster | Abstract Future Dates & Locations Attendee Brochure PS25 | CME & MOC Center PS26 Register Industry Links Partnership Opportunities Past Industry Partners PRACTICALLY SPEAKING “The Practical Symposium was excellent and impacted how I will work up and treat my patients. As a practicing dermatologist, the clinicopathologic correlation was outstanding.”

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Melissa Costner, MD < Back Melissa Costner, MD Faculty A Texas native, Dr. Melissa Costner began her journey as a Dermatologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she completed her training as a resident in dermatology, and where she developed an early and enduring interest in the skin manifestations of autoimmune disease. Under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Sontheimer, an icon of dermatology, she honed the special skills needed to take effective care of patients with conditions such as lupus dermatomyositis and scleroderma. After graduation from her residency, Dr. Costner joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in 1997 and quickly established a reputation as a specialist in the skin manifestations of rheumatic diseases. She went on to write book chapters, contributed to research, published new findings, and participated in the development of clinical guidelines for dermatologic manifestations of rheumatologist disease. She is one of the founding members of the Rheumatologic Dermatology Society. In 2007, Dr. Costner further expanded the scope of her influence on the Dallas community by entering private practice, developing collaborative care pathways with the DFW metroplex physicians for the care of patients with autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and eczema. Dr. Costner also supports a number of general and specialty physicians with her expertise in skin manifestations of several other general and specialty diseases. PS Home

Business 201 Symposium Online lectures designed for residents, attending physicians and medical students. Business 201 Home Industry Partners Dr. Clay Cockerell, the faculty, and attendees, gratefully acknowledge the following industry partners who are dedicated to supporting the Business 201 Symposium. It's this continued support that allows conferences like ours to continue providing world-class educational content. Thank You!

Your Academy is a series of in-person symposiums and online educational events that is focused on core and emerging dermatology and dermatopathology topics. Your Academy's goal is to improve everyone's clinicopathologic correlation communications which ultimately allows treating physicians and clinicians to formulate the best possible treatment plan for each of their patients. Accessibility Statement Measures to Support Accessibility Cockerell Educational Foundation (CEF) takes the following measures to ensure accessibility: Include accessibility throughout our internal policies. Include people with disabilities in our design personas. Conformance Status The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. CEF's websites are partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard. Feedback We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of CEF's websites. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers: E-mail: info@dermatology.academy (no .com) Postal Address: 2110 Research Row, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75235 We try to respond to feedback within 3 business days. Compatibility with Browsers and Assistive Technology CEF's websites are designed to be compatible with the following browser's assistive technologies: Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Apple Safari Technical Specifications Accessibility relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer: HTML WAI-ARIA CSS JavaScript SMIL WIX These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used. Assessment Approach Cockerell Educational Foundation assessed the accessibility by the following approaches: Self-evaluation Outside consultant Date This statement was revised on June 1, 2024.

Loren Clarke, MD Loren Clarke, MD Faculty Loren Clarke, M.D., is the Chief Medical Officer at DermTech, LLC, where he leads the company’s clinical and scientific efforts in implementing advanced molecular diagnostics for skin cancer. Dr. Clarke has been at the forefront of the company’s mission to revolutionize dermatological care through non-invasive genomic testing. A board-certified Pathologist and Dermatopathologist, Dr. Clarke brings extensive experience in clinical dermatopathology and molecular diagnostics. Prior to DermTech, he served as faculty at Penn State University’s Hershey Medical Center and contributed to the development of novel molecular diagnostics for melanoma at Myriad Genetics. Dr. Clarke has contributed significantly to the medical and scientific literature, authoring or co-authoring over 60 peer-reviewed publications, as well as numerous book chapters and a textbook on Dermatopathology. PS Winter Home