History of the American Society for Mohs Surgery

The ASMS was founded in 1990. By this time an increasing number of dermatology residency programs had begun offering extensive training in Mohs surgery. Our founding members were primarily graduates of such residency programs, and they had successfully incorporated the Mohs surgical technique in their own practices to the benefit of numerous patients. Our founders believed that this new organization of Mohs surgeons would complement the existing American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, and be able to provide professional and educational support for the non-Fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. Our quality assurance program was established as an ongoing assessment of the quality of our members’ performance in the Mohs technique, and the continuing medical education of our members has continued to be one of the primary objectives of the ASMS.

While acknowledging the value of all forms of Mohs training, including formal Mohs fellowships, the ASMS asserts that any surgically-oriented Board-certified dermatologist has the basic dermatopathology, cutaneous oncology, and complex closure abilities to effectively perform the Mohs procedure in his or her office-based practice. The ASMS is an inclusive educational organization with membership open to any dermatologist with an interest in the Mohs technique. Board certification in dermatology is required for Fellow and Affiliate dermatologist members. Additional requirements apply to Fellow member applicants.