Whitney High, MD, JD, MEng Whitney High, MD, JD, MEng Faculty Professor of Dermatology Vice-Chairman, Dermatology Director of Dermatology Clinic Director of Dermatopathology Laboratory, University of Colorado Whitney A. High, MD, MEng, a native of Colorado, is the Vice Chairman of Dermatology, and the Director of both the Dermatology Clinic and the Dermatopathology Laboratory at the University of Colorado. He is board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He also has certification in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. After practicing as a chemical engineer in the industry, Dr. High returned to medical school to receive his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Dr. High completed his dermatology residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident. He completed his dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Colorado. Dr. High is appointed to the Departments of Dermatology & Pathology at the University of Colorado. His research laboratory was the first in the world to discover gadolinium in the tissue of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Dr. High also has a degree in law from the University of Denver. He has authored 4 textbooks, 40 chapters, and more than 80 medical papers. He has served as an editor/editorial board member in many top medical journals in his fields. Dr. High’s current research interests include: Pigmented lesions Medicolegal issues Infectious disease/sexually transmitted disease Pharmacological and toxicological dermatology/dermatopathology Advanced biochemical testing applied to dermatology/dermatopathology PS Winter Home

Dee Anna Glasser, MD < Back Dee Anna Glasser, MD Faculty Bio coming soon. PS Home

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

Kenneth Tomecki, MD < Back Kenneth Tomecki, MD Faculty Cleveland Clinic, Department of DermatologyCleveland, OH Education: Columbia College, New York, NY, BA 1968 Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, MD 1972 Internship: SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 1972-1973 Residency: SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 1973-1976 Fellowship: National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 1976-1978 Certification: National Board of Medical Examiners 1974 American Board of Dermatology 1977 American Academy of Dermatology: President, 2021-2022 Vice-President-elect, 2015-2016 Vice-President, 2016-2017 Board of Directors 2009-2013 Executive committee 2012-13, 2016-2017 Council on Education Audit committee, chair 2008-1013 Investments Committee Ethics committee, 2 stints Committee on Self-Assessment, chair 1990-1993 CME Program Review committee Poster Exhibits committee Committee on Re-Certification Task Force on Industrial Relations Task Force Infectious Diseases CME Strategic Plan Implementation Assistant editor, J Amer Acad Dermatol 1993-1998; editorial board, 2018-2021 Program director, annual meeting 1982-1993, 1996-2017 Program director, summer meeting 1995-1998, 2000-2017 Elected and Appointed Positions: Cleveland Dermatological Society: treasurer 2003-2004 Ohio Dermatological Association: Board of Directors 1992-1995, 2007-2010; secretary 1995-1998; program director, annual meeting 1991, 1994, 2003 Society Investigative Dermatology: finance committee 2008-2013 Noah Worcester Dermatological Society: scientific committee 2008; membership committee 2011-2015 International Society Dermatology: Board of Directors 2012 American Dermatological Association: program committee 2011-2014, chair 2014; Board of Directors 2015 Honors/Awards: Honorary member, Czech Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Honorary member, Mexican Academy of Dermatology AAD Presidential citation 2016 Publications/Presentations: 80+ primary publications; 20+ secondary publications; 60+ chapters; 15+ abstracts 200+ major presentations; 250+ minor presentations PS Home

James Del Rosso, DO < Back James Del Rosso, DO Faculty James Q. Del Rosso, D.O. has been practicing dermatology since 1986, and in the Las Vegas area at the Las Vegas Skin & Cancer Clinics since 1997. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Touro University of College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson, Nevada, and has the distinction of being the first and only dermatology residency program director in the history of the state of Nevada. Prior to coming to Las Vegas, Dr. Del Rosso served as Head of the Section of Dermatology at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, and Visiting Faculty Member in Dermatology at Ohio State University (OSU) in Columbus where he twice was honored as Educator of the Year by the dermatology residents and dermatopathology fellows. He received his D.O. degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, interned at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, completed a dermatology residency at Atlantic Skin Disease and Skin Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a fellowship in Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology at OSU. At his practice in Henderson, Nevada, he is proud of the quality of service provided and has an exceptional support staff of nurses and medical assistants who are dedicated to quality patient care. Dr. Del Rosso is an internationally renowned dermatologist. He is Clinical Editor of the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters, and was President of the American Acne & Rosacea Society, American Society of Mohs Surgery, and the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. He is one of the most highly requested and well-respected educators in dermatology, invited to present regularly at dermatology meetings both nationally and internationally. Dr. Del Rosso has many outside interests, especially music, and stays busy at times with four children and six grandchildren. PS 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

Whitney High, MD, JD, MEng < Back Whitney High, MD, JD, MEng Faculty Professor of Dermatology Vice-Chairman, Dermatology Director of Dermatology Clinic Director of Dermatopathology Laboratory, University of Colorado Whitney A. High, MD, MEng, a native of Colorado, is the Vice Chairman of Dermatology, and the Director of both the Dermatology Clinic and the Dermatopathology Laboratory at the University of Colorado. He is board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He also has certification in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. After practicing as a chemical engineer in the industry, Dr. High returned to medical school to receive his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. Dr. High completed his dermatology residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, serving as Chief Resident. He completed his dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Colorado. Dr. High is appointed to the Departments of Dermatology & Pathology at the University of Colorado. His research laboratory was the first in the world to discover gadolinium in the tissue of patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Dr. High also has a degree in law from the University of Denver. He has authored 4 textbooks, 40 chapters, and more than 80 medical papers. He has served as an editor/editorial board member in many top medical journals in his fields. Dr. High’s current research interests include: Pigmented lesions Medicolegal issues Infectious disease/sexually transmitted disease Pharmacological and toxicological dermatology/dermatopathology Advanced biochemical testing applied to dermatology/dermatopathology PS Home

Melissa Costner, MD 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. It was here, at UT Southwestern, where she developed an early and enduring interest in the skin manifestations of autoimmune disease. Dr. Costner welcomes self-referrals for skin problems such as acne, rosacea, and screening for melanoma and other skin cancers. As a D-Magazine ‘Best Doctor’ in 2025 and for the last 15 years, and recipient of the prestigious Legacy Award, Dr. Costner brings decades of experience to her patients. She values the lasting relationships she develops with her patients, many of whom she has helped for over 20 years. With her sharp clinical skills, and compassionate collaborative care, Dr. Costner goes the extra mile to ensure that they get the best possible care. PS Winter Home

Roger Ceilley, MD Roger Ceilley, MD Faculty Dr. Ceilley received his Medical Degree and dermatology residency training at the University of Iowa. He is board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and is a fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology. He has served as president of the American Academy of Dermatology, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. He is the director of our training program in Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery. Memberships and Awards: Board Certified, American Board of Dermatology Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology Past President, American Academy of Dermatology Past President, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery American Medical Association Director training program in Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery PS Winter Home

Antoanella Calame, MD < Back Antoanella Calame, MD Faculty Dr. Calame’s dedication to her field is not only evident in her over forty active state medical licenses, but also in her profound contributions to the scientific community. Her work, including a book on cutaneous manifestations of HIV disease and numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers, has significantly advanced our understanding of these complex medical conditions. As an esteemed educator, Dr. Calame’s expertise in melanoma and melanocytic lesions is widely recognized. She is frequently invited to speak at local and national conferences, where she shares her wealth of knowledge, instilling confidence in her peers and students. Dr. Calame’s special interest in melanoma and melanocytic lesions is not just a passion, but a commitment to staying at the forefront of her field. She is actively involved with the newest clinical and molecular techniques used to diagnose cutaneous melanoma, ensuring her knowledge and skills are always up-to-date. Founder & Director: Dr. Antoanella Calame is the founder and director of Compass Dermatopathology, Lanoi Medical Group, and SkyMD. Invited Speaker: She is an invited speaker at local and national conferences where she lectures on dermatopathology, and specifically on melanoma and advances in the diagnosis and prognosis of melanocytic lesions. Teacher: She also teaches dermatology and dermatopathology to UCSD and Navy dermatology residents and dermatology and pathology residents. PS Home

Business 201 Faculty < Back Mary Nix Partner Mary Goodrich Nix is a Partner at LPHS with 25 years of experience handling complex commercial litigation. She frequently handles non-compete and trade secret litigation for publicly traded and privately held companies, including Fortune 500 , middle market companies, and startups in a variety of industries. Ms. Nix has extensive courtroom experience, including multiple jury trials, bench trials and injunction evidentiary hearings. She has arbitrated numerous cases throughout Texas and in other parts of the country. Mary is frequently called upon to assist companies when key employees move between competitors. In her work related to confidential information and trade secret protection, she advises clients in the identification of confidential information, trade secrets and other intellectual property assets and options for protection. Ms. Nix is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has worked successfully with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) , the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) , the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and several other federal, state and local government agencies when a client is the subject of a complaint. Advocacy in this area includes responding to the complaint, negotiating where appropriate and advocating for her clients in administrative hearings. Frequent matters she handles include allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference claims, Title VII claims, claims related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation and alleged violations of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and alleged Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) violations. https://www.lynnllp.com/ Business201 Home

Darrell Rigel, MD, MS < Back Darrell Rigel, MD, MS Faculty Darrell Rigel, MD MS is an internationally acclaimed leader in the field of Dermatology with a focus on Melanoma, Skin Cancer, and Prevention. He has presented over 1000 lectures nationally and internationally on these subjects to physicians, government agencies, pharma, and the public. He regularly appears on CNN, Fox, ABC, and NBC, and his views are quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today and he is the Team Dermatologist for the New York Yankees. He is a graduate of MIT with a BS in Management Information Science and an MBA (SM) from the MIT Sloan School of Management. While working as a research fellow at the National Cancer Institute, he obtained his MD from George Washington University. He completed an internship at New York Hospital-Cornell and a Dermatology residency and Dermatologic Surgery fellowship at New York University and currently serves as a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. Dr. Rigel has been a leader in Dermatology for over 3 decades having been selected by his peers to lead them as President of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and American Dermatological Association. He also served as Vice-President of the American Board of Dermatology during his 13 years of service there. Dr. Rigel is actively involved in national public health and healthcare economic policy initiatives serving as a consultant to government and industry. He is regularly called on for his expertise on these issues by White House administrations and has testified multiple times before Congress and the FDA. He also serves as the Scientific Co-Chair of the Fall and Winter Clinical Dermatology Conferences leading the effort to provide clinical education annually to over 2000 of his colleagues. In addition, he maintains a University-based practice at the Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in Manhattan focusing on Melanoma, Skin Cancer, and related dermatological issues. PS Home