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Joseph Sobanko, MD, MBA, FACMS

Present Affiliation

  • Associate Professor of Dermatology and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at The Wharton School

Medical School

  • State University of New York at Stony Brook, 2005

Residency and Fellowship Training

  • Residency: Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center, 2009
  • Fellowship: Oregon Health & Science University, 2010

Professional Activities

  • Steering Committee, IMPROVED Group (Cochrane Skin - Core Outcome Set Initiative Affiliate), 2013-Present
  • Chair, ASDS Education Exchange Workgroup, 2018-2021
  • Co-Chair, ASDS Task Force for Running an Academic Cosmetic Practice, 2018-2021
  • Member, AAD Performance Measurement Task Force, 2016-2019
  • Member, AAD Patient Safety and Quality Committee, 2015-2018
  • Member, Penn Dermatology Operations & Finance Committee, 2022-Present
  • Member, ASDS Branding and Public Relations Work Group, 2015-2018

American College of Mohs Surgery activities:

  • Mohs/ACGME Fellowship Training Program Faculty, 2012-Present
  • Annual Scientific Meeting Moderator or Speaker at 21 Distinct Educational Sessions, 2012-Present
  • Video Library Committee, Member, 2015-2017

Other national, state and local dermatology society activities:

  • Blade & Light International Volunteer Society, Member, 2012-Present
  • International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Member, 2017-Present
  • American Academy of Dermatology, Member, 2006-Present    
  • American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Member, 2006-Present    
  • American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Member, 2007-Present    
  • Association of Professors in Dermatology, Member, 2011-2018
  • Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Member, 2011-Present

Medical Society, Government and/or Professional Appointments, Awards and Honors:

  • Elected to Academy of Master Clinicians, Penn Medicine’s Highest Clinical Honor, 2022
  • Clinical Career Development Award in Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology Foundation, 2015-2018
  • Provider of the Year, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania, 2017
  • Faculty Award for Dedication to Teaching, Penn Dermatology, 2015
  • Listed in Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor and Castle Connollys’ America’s Top Doctors, 2016-2023
  • Future Leaders Network Mentor, ASDS, 2017
  • Dermatologic Surgery Research Fellowship, Director, Penn Dermatology, 2015-2019             

Publications:

  • Author of 151 publications

Position Statement:

I am genuinely honored by the nomination for the American College of Mohs Surgery Board of Directors (ACMS) and would be privileged to serve its members for the upcoming three-year term. Despite diverse practice models, our shared commitment to excellence in patient care, preserving practice autonomy, and promoting our specialty unites us. I am enthusiastic about contributing to the ongoing success of Mohs surgery, building upon the diligent efforts of current and former ACMS leaders who have shaped the organization into its current state of strength.

Leaders across disciplines often cite the proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." No single line better encapsulates our approach to the future. While the ACMS is currently strong, we stand at an inflection point of policy and technology that will shape our surgical practices. Collaboration in advocacy, education, and innovation will be crucial.

Despite decades of demonstrating the superior benefits of Mohs surgery, we now face a shifting perception of our codes' value. Throughout my term, I commit to preserving the Mohs CPT and reconstruction CPT codes, essential for our patients, through building coalitions within the house of medicine and with public servants in Washington. My recent two years at the Wharton school uniquely position me to navigate this challenge.

In enhancing our specialty’s impact, it is imperative to revitalize how we market Mohs surgery to policy makers, fellow physicians, and the public. A multi-pronged strategy would involve continuing to optimize our website and facilitating engagement and a better understanding of Mohs surgery’s significance through a robust and thoughtful social media presence. More than 80% of our members have already taken the MDS exam. Emphasizing the benefits of board certification is crucial, particularly for those who are full-time Mohs surgeons.

Excellence in education and pathology is paramount for our specialty. The ACMS possesses resources like the annual scientific meeting, pathology excellence initiatives, and educational assets such as podcasts, webinars, and board certification review courses that can be further developed to offer state-of-the-art learning. Seismic transformations with generative AI adoption in education and pathology are underway. I am dedicated to ensuring our community remains at the forefront, collaborating with AI to enhance patient care without compromising our autonomy. Embracing the benefits of AI will make us better educators, pathologists, and researchers.

In my role on the Board of Directors, I am committed to fostering innovation, promoting member engagement, and ensuring excellence in education and pathology. These pillars are essential to maintaining our high standards. My unique experience positions me to contribute meaningfully to these objectives. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts, we can continue to lead in advancing care for our skin cancer patients.