Definitions

Here are some helpful definitions to terms you may have heard:

• Dermatologist - Dermatology is the specialty of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails.
A dermatologist first completes medical school but then, unlike most physicians, receives at least four years of intensive study, research and practice in the care and treatment of the skin, hair and nails.
During this time the doctor receives training in the treatment of skin diseases, as well as in skin pathology and surgery.

• Mohs Surgery - Mohs surgery is a state-of-the-art treatment for the total removal of skin cancer, first developed by Dr. Frederic Mohs, in which the physician serves as the surgeon, pathologist and reconstructive surgeon. Using the accuracy of a microscope, the Mohs surgeon precisely identifies and removes the entire tumor leaving unharmed as much healthy tissue as possible.

• DO vs MD - If you are like most people, you probably don't know the difference between a medical doctor, MD, and an osteopathic doctor, DO.

DO's and MD's are alike in many ways:

Applicants to both DO and MD colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.

Both DO's and MD's complete four years of basic medical education.

After medical school, both DO's and MD's can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine- such as dermatology (typically two to six years of additional training).

Both DO's and MD's must pass comparable state licensing examinations.

DO's and MD's both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.

Both are medical doctors; MD is specifically Doctor of Medicine and DO is Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

What Makes DO's Different?

DO's receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of the nerves, muscles, and bones. This training gives DO's a better understanding of how an injury or illness in one part of the body can affect another part of the body.

• FAAD - Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology

Fellowship is related to Board-certification, but not quite the same thing.   Much like Board certification, a fellowship designates that a physician has gained more intensive knowledge of his or her discipline. Being a "fellow" refers to the fact that the physician is a member of the medical society for his/her field. Such societies are formed with the mission of streamlining practices, establishing consistent standards for care, and publishing research results. They may require Board-certification as one of the conditions for membership. Usually fellows are Board-certified regardless of whether it is a pre-requisite for membership, however this is not always the case.