The University of New Mexico (UNM) Hospital Dermatology Clinic in the US has inaugurated an expanded Mohs surgery and procedural suite, with the goal of improving skin cancer care for patients throughout the region and expanding clinical training for healthcare professionals.
UNM Hospital now has six dedicated procedure rooms, a nurse’s station, an expanded laboratory, and two phototherapy rooms for immediate tissue processing within the new 1,400ft2 suite.
UNM School of Medicine department of dermatology chair Aimee Smidt said: “This is a huge step forward for our programme. It makes a huge difference in the way that we can deliver care.”
Dermatology Clinic unit director Erin Dibble said. “We’re seeing increasing numbers of patients every year who need Mohs surgery.
“Having a dedicated area allows us to provide this very time- and space-intensive surgery in a way that is better for the patients and the providers.”
Previously, general dermatology and Mohs surgery services were housed within the same area, which made scheduling and managing patient flow more challenging.
The new design now separates these functions, enhancing operational efficiency and providing a more supportive environment for patients, who frequently spend several hours at the clinic for their procedures.
The expansion further enhances educational opportunities. Dermatology residents, medical students and trainees from specialities such as ophthalmology and plastic surgery rotate through the clinic. The new space is designed to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and provide practical experience.
The clinic is among the few in New Mexico that provide phototherapy for conditions like psoriasis and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. With the addition of two more phototherapy rooms, the capacity in this area has now doubled.
