Dr. Thomas L.H. Hocker, M.D., M.Phil.
Triple-Board-Certified Mohs Surgeon | Skin Cancer & Melanoma Expert
Dr. Thomas L.H. Hocker is an internationally recognized, Harvard- and Mayo Clinic–trained expert in skin cancer surgery and one of the most accomplished Mohs micrographic surgeons worldwide. Triple board-certified in dermatology, dermatopathology, and Mohs surgery, Dr. Hocker is widely regarded as a leading authority in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of complex skin cancers, particularly melanoma.
With an exceptional surgical volume, Dr. Hocker receives over 300 melanoma Mohs referrals annually—figures comparable to those of entire academic cancer centers, such as Stanford University’s melanoma program. Patients travel from across the Midwest and even internationally to receive care at his Overland Park, Kansas, practice, Advanced Dermatologic Surgery, where he and his team provide advanced, patient-centered skin cancer care with outstanding outcomes.
Dr. Hocker’s expertise is reinforced by his rare distinction as one of fewer than 30 physicians globally to achieve triple board certification in dermatology, dermatopathology, and Mohs micrographic surgery. Notably, he is the first African-American male in U.S. and global history to hold all three certifications.
Harvard Medical School Trained
Mayo Clinic Trained & Recipient of Most Outstanding Scholar
Representation Matters
Dr. Hocker is the only black male triple-Board certified dermatologist in the United States.
ABOUT
Recipient of the Mayo Clinic's Harold O. Perry Most Outstanding Scholar
A native of San Jose, California, Dr. Hocker’s academic beginnings were quite humble. He attended a severely underfunded public high school in “east-side” San Jose and first experienced any degree of personal success outside of the classroom, rather than within it. Although Silver Creek was a high school known more for its violence and dropout rates than its academic success stories, there were a few exceptional role models and mentors who beneficially shaped the lives of many at-risk students. It was through the exceptional dedication and caring of Coach Poynter, Coach Slayton and the other Track & Field coaches that Thomas first learned the three primary ingredients for achieving excellence: solid planning + consistent disciplined effort + faith to persevere.
As a result of lessons learned through Track & Field, Thomas ultimately achieved success both inside and outside the classroom. He was recruited to run track at numerous Division I colleges and elected to attend Yale University, where he went on to become a multi-year Ivy League champion in the 400-meter hurdles and 4 x 400-meter relay.
As a result of his intense work ethic and discipline inside and outside of the classrooms at Yale, Dr. Hocker was named as Verizon 1st Team Academic All-American, Pfizer Research Scholar, and Yale’s top scholar-athlete for the class of 2002. Dr. Hocker was also an inductee into the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
Upon graduation from Yale, Dr. Hocker was selected as one of only 12 students across the country to be awarded the highly-prestigious Churchill Fellowship, which granted him the opportunity to attend the University of Cambridge (England). At Cambridge, Dr. Hocker learned about the British approach to higher learning, gained greater world perspective, and received his Master's degree in Organic Chemistry.
Dr. Hocker returned from England to attend Harvard Medical School. At Harvard, Dr. Hocker worked with many of the world’s leaders in Dermatology and skin cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Hocker published multiple research articles on skin cancer and presented at the prestigious national meeting for the American Society for Cutaneous Oncology. Dr. Hocker graduated from Harvard Medical School with Honors for his research work on melanoma genetics with Dr. Hensin Tsao. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, Dr. Hocker completed a 1-year Transitional Internship at the Stanford University affiliated hospital, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
CERTIFIED & TRAINED
First Mayo Clinic and Harvard Trained Triple Board-Certified Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon
FOUNDER
Founding Director of Dermatologic Surgery at UMKC/University Health
TRIPLE-FELLOWSHIP TRAINED
Only Triple-Fellowship trained Mohs surgeon, dermatologist, and Dermatopathologist in KS, MO, CO, IA, OK, AK, or NE
MEDICAL EXPERT
Medical expert witness in Dermatology and skin cancer surgery.
Review of Dermatology
2nd Edition
Comprehensive in scope, easy to use, and aligned to the texts you trust, Review of Dermatology, edited by Drs. Ali Alikhan and Thomas L.H. Hocker, is a highly effective study tool for your upcoming board or maintenance exam. Using a concise, bullet-point format and mnemonic devices throughout, this unique guide ensures rapid and efficient recall of the information you need to know for exam success!
