Mohs micrographic surgery is a highly specialized, precise treatment for skin cancer. It offers the highest cure rates while maximizing preservation of healthy tissue, enabling optimal aesthetic results for selected skin cancers at certain sites.

Mohs surgery is performed by specialist Dermatologists who have undergone additional training to develop expertise in this field.

The NZDSI promotes excellence in Mohs surgery to ensure patients receive the best quality of care and maintains a list of approved Mohs surgery specialists who are listed as members of the NZSMS. These Doctors are all vocationally registered Specialist Dermatologists with the Medical Council of New Zealand and Fellows of the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated (FNZDSI). They have attained a defined standard of training, demonstrate expertise in Mohs micrographic surgery and actively take part in a comprehensive and robust continuing professional development program me.

NZDSI approved Mohs surgeons are governed by strict requirements which in addition to the above include:

• Annual submission of a minimum of fifty (50) Mohs surgery cases in a prescribed format. 90% of the submitted cases must be from difficult anatomic sites including the head and neck, lower leg, digits or anogenital regions
• Completion of the Royal Australasian College of Pathologists Mohs QA each year
• Attendance at NZDSI approved international meetings
• Attendance at NZDSI and NZSMS annual meetings
• Mandatory peer review in all aspects of the Mohs surgery procedure

NZDSI recommends those training in Mohs surgery to ensure they will meet the entry criteria for the New Zealand Mohs Society. The NZDSI endorses the Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship offered at the SkinCentre in Tauranga and recommends trainees consider advanced training at this site. This training program fulfils requirements to entry to the NZSMS as well as the American College of Mohs Surgery.