October 10, 2011

CHRIS SEGAL / News Herald Writer

PANAMA CITY — Hours of studying rashes, tumors and lesions under a high-powered microscope is one way the Panhandle’s first dermatopathologist works to increase the level of dermatology care for Bay County residents.

A dermatopatholigist is a subspecialty of dermatology and surgical pathology that focuses on the study of diseases at a microscopic level. Dr. Scott Schlauder focuses his skills on assessing patients at Gulf Coast Dermatology, PA.

“Gulf Coast Dermatology raised the bar in the level of care for dermatology,” Schlauder said. “They took the clinical diagnosis with the pathologist diagnosis and married them together. Traditionally my work would be done outside of the clinic and I would never see the patient.”

In the past, when skin samples were take from patients, they had to be sent to a lab. Before Schlauder came to Gulf Coast Dermatology, PA in August and got his lab established, samples were sent for processing in Tallahassee.

“All of the patient’s tissue stays right here,” Schlauder said.

In the ideal setting, a patient who has a skin sample removed for analysis can have the results within 24 hours, which used to take up to a week. Schlauder called the pairing of clinical dermatology practice with the pathology lab a pioneering endeavor.

A benefit of having a pathology lab connected to the practice is that during a Mohs procedure, which is a method of tumor removal, Schlauder can consult with the physicians performing the surgery during complex or unique cases.

Schlauder completed a residency in pathology at the University of South Florida and a fellowship in dermatopathology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

“I just like to look at slides,” Schlauder said. “It’s like a mystery; you have to put together the clinical, medication list and what you see under the scope.”

In addition to the new service, a new certificate program is being offered in histotechnology through the Gulf Coast Dermatology, PA lab. The program launched this academic year with three students. The training includes a year of class and lab-related work.

The students are employees of Gulf Coast Dermatology and earn a paycheck. They are also being taught using the Indiana University School of Medicine’s curriculum, which includes an hour of video conferencing a week and projects that are sent to the University for grading, Schlauder said.

“The students are learning so fast and they are getting new equipment,” Schlauder said. “They are learning how to take a piece of tissue into grossing it and looking at it.”

The second year of the program is lab work that is necessary before a histologist can sit before their board. When the students earn their certificate, they can earn up to $50,000 a year, Schlauder said.