By Terri Munday

I’ve had the chance to work in both a traditional histology lab and a Mohs lab, and I’ll tell you right now—Mohs is where my heart is. Don’t get me wrong, I learned so much in a routine histology setting, but there’s just something special about the pace, the challenge, and the reward of working in a Mohs lab.

No two days are ever the same, and no two tissue samples ever cut the same way. There are so many factors that come into play: past surgeries, scarring, patient age, fat content—you name it. Every case has its own quirks, which keeps me on my toes and makes the work interesting.

I’ll admit, there are those moments that test your patience. Like when I’m moving along at a nice, steady pace—cutting, embedding, staining—and then bam, the Mohs surgeon comes in with a nine-piece tissue section. That definitely shifts the vibe in the lab! Suddenly, I’m multitasking like a pro, trying to keep everything moving smoothly.

The funny part is that as fast as I’m going, I can always feel the look—you know, that silent question from the surgeon: “Where are my slides?” And sure, there’s always that brief moment where you want to slow down just a bit to catch your breath, but you remind yourself: stay focused, keep moving, and get the job done.

One of the most rewarding parts of Mohs work is handling the Immuno cases. We usually have about 10 cases a day, and at least one of those will involve Immuno staining. These cases require precision—you’ve got to cut them at 4 microns. Sounds simple, but not all tissue wants to cooperate at 4 microns. Sometimes I’ll need to adjust, increasing by 1 micron at a time until I get that perfect, wrinkle-free section. Meanwhile, routine cases keep rolling in at the grossing station, and I’m still on slide 12 for the Immuno. It’s a balancing act, but that’s part of what makes it so engaging.

The key in the Mohs lab is to keep the wheel turning. Stay focused, stay calm, and remember: we’re doing this for the patient. Sure, the surgeon might get “the look,” a sigh, and if they’re lucky, a (sometimes not-so-cute) joke—but we’re all in this together.

At the end of the day, even when things get a little hectic, we keep the mood light, smiles on our faces, and always remember that the patient is the priority. After all, they’re alert, waiting, and counting on us to make the best experience possible.

That’s why I love Mohs. It’s challenging, it’s rewarding, and it’s a team effort. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.