Coming Soon: Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at BCMH
Bates County Memorial Hospital is preparing to launch a Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic this summer, expanding access to focused evaluation and care for suspicious skin lesions and certain skin cancers.
Services through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will be provided by Laura Noble, FNP, and William Joyce, Jr., DO, General Surgeon. Appointments will focus on identifying concerning skin lesions, performing biopsies when appropriate, and guiding patients through next steps in care. Services may also include removal of select benign lesions, such as skin tags or moles, when clinically appropriate.
Laura Noble will continue providing orthopedic care at BCMH Outpatient Specialty Clinics in addition to her role in the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic. Her involvement in the new clinic represents an expansion of services, not a change to her orthopedic practice.
This clinic is designed specifically for the evaluation and management of skin lesions and possible skin cancers. It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment of general skin conditions such as rashes, acne, or chronic dermatologic disorders, and does not replace care provided by a dermatologist.
Why focused skin lesion evaluation matters
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more than five million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are diagnosed each year, and an estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Every day, more than 9,500 people receive a skin cancer diagnosis. These numbers highlight the importance of early detection, careful evaluation, and access to appropriate next steps in care, including services like those offered through the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic at Bates County Memorial Hospital.
For patients who are diagnosed with a skin cancer, providers will review treatment options and help coordinate the most appropriate next step. Depending on the type of cancer and individual factors, this may include referral for Mohs surgery or consideration of image-guided superficial radiation therapy through GentleCure by SkinCure Oncology. Currently, GentleCure treatment locations are available in the Kansas City area and in Springfield, Missouri.
As part of the clinic’s development, BCMH is working toward the long-term goal of offering image-guided superficial radiation therapy locally through a partnership with GentleCure. In the meantime, the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will serve as the starting point for evaluation, diagnosis, and care coordination.
Scheduling for the Skin Lesion Evaluation Clinic will begin May 1, 2026.
Additional information about image-guided superficial radiation therapy is available at gentlecure.com.
