DERMATOPATHOLOGY

Skin Cancer and Dermatology Institute is fortunate to be home to the only two board-certified dermatopathologists in Reno, Nevada.  Doctors Michael Heaphy and Jeffrey Shackelton received extensive dermatopathology fellowship training in San Francisco and New York, respectively.  Doctors Heaphy and Shackelton are also both board certified in clinical dermatology.  Both are fellows of the American Society of Dermatopathology and the American Academy of Dermatology and are Clinical Assistant Professors of Dermatology at the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine.

What is Dermatopathology?

Dermatopathology entails the examination and diagnosis of skin disease at the microscopic level.

Skin biopsy specimens are processed in our new, state-of-the-art, dermatopathology laboratory.  Our team of highly skilled histotechnologists focuses exclusively on processing skin specimens and has fine-tuned the art of producing exceptional quality histopathology slides. In addition, they perform many ancillary tests (including immunoperoxidase and histochemical staining) that are used to diagnose a wide variety skin disorders. Doctors Heaphy and Shackelton also utilize a variety of advanced molecular diagnostic studies to aid in the classification of certain rare neoplasms and lymphoproliferative disorders.

Doctors Heaphy and Shackelton work side-by-side in our laboratory and hold a daily consensus conference to review difficult or unusual cases. They also spend part of their time treating patients in their combined dermatology clinic where they see referrals for cutaneous disorders that are difficult to diagnose and treat.

Doctors Heaphy and Shackelton run a quarterly dermatology Grand Rounds Meeting where actual patients with challenging or unusual conditions have the chance to be seen by our entire team of clinical, surgical and cosmetic dermatologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who practice throughout the Reno metropolitan area and beyond. This represents a unique opportunity for our clinicians to share their diverse experience and discuss optimal diagnostic and treatment options, and it gives our patients the comfort of knowing that they are receiving the highest quality dermatology health care in the region.

Doctors Heaphy and Shackelton, as Clinical Assistant Professors of Dermatology, teach the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine skin pathology course every year and are always excited to have medical students spend time with them at the microscope, in clinic, or working on research projects.