The Division of Surgical Pathology's Dermatopathology Service provides comprehensive diagnostic expertise on cutaneous disorders and related mucosae/soft tissues.

We provide a wide range of services, ranging from standard histology evaluation of tissue to specialized immunologic and molecular techniques. Our missions are to deliver the best possible patient care, to advance the field of dermatopathology through scholarly activities, and to train future leaders in the specialty of dermatopathology. 

The Division accepts prepared slides, processed or fresh tissue for expert consultation and, when necessary, additional testing. Please see the link below for information on submitting specimens for consultation or second opinion. 

Faculty

Maria Angelica Selim, MD, is a Professor of Pathology and Director of the dermatopathology Unit. She joined the Duke faculty in 1999 after completing a pathology residency program at New England Deaconess Hospital and a fellowship in Dermatopathology at Harvard Medical School. Her research focuses on providing pathology expertise to several multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations aimed at improving our understanding of vulvar inflammatory disorders and vulvar dysplasia, as well as cutaneous lymphomas.

Rami N. Al-Rohil, MBBS, is an Assistant Professor in Pathology and Dermatology and director of the dermatopathology fellowship. He is board certified in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology and Dermatopathology. His clinical and research interests include melanocytic tumors, molecular alterations in melanocytic tumors to predict biologic potential, mass spectrometry application in neoplastic cutaneous disorders, and cutaneous soft tissue tumors.

Michelle Schneider, MD, completed her residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston before pursuing both Dermatopathology and Surgical Pathology fellowships at Duke University. Her interests lie in the varied world of inflammatory dermatoses as well as in the assessment of rejection of skin transplants in vascularized composite allotransplants. She is most enthusiastic about medical education of fellows and resident trainees and medical students.

Kenneth Ellington, MD, completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Duke University Medical Center followed by a Junior faculty position for three years at this institution. He has been a member of Duke Community Pathology since 1998. He is a board-certified dermatopathologist who enjoys working in all aspects of the field, particularly in outreach clinical practices.

Alan D. Proia, MD, PhD, is a surgical pathologist with over 40 years of experience diagnosing eyelid and periocular diseases.  He is a coauthor of Comprehensive Textbook of Eyelid Disorders and Diseases, which Wolters Kluwer will publish in 2022.  His research interests focus on eyelid diseases and the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and open-angle glaucoma.