Elizabeth A. Quigley, MD

As a doctor, I was drawn to dermatology because it’s a visual science. My patients and I can look at their skin together. I can teach them what to look for to find skin cancer in its earliest stages, when it’s easier to treat. 

The earlier a melanoma is found, the better. We can completely cure a melanoma in its earliest stage (in situ) before it leaves the epidermis (top skin layer). I do thorough skin inspections from head to toe with dermoscopy, a tool to examine the skin. These careful skin evaluations are important for people who are at risk for melanoma. 

You can be at higher risk for melanoma for a few reasons. You had a lot of sun exposure (such as many sun burns), a personal history of melanoma, or a blood relative who had the disease.I use the latest technology to monitor people who have a lot of nevi (moles), dysplastic (atypical) moles, or both. This includes whole-body photography, serial digital dermoscopy, and other non-invasive tools to aid in the early diagnosis of melanoma.

I grew up in New Jersey and now work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge. After completing my medical training in Ohio and on Long Island, I wanted to return to New Jersey. It’s my way of making sure people in New Jersey can stay near their homes for skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. They can get the same high-quality care they would get at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in Manhattan.

As MSK Basking Ride, we work as a team. Our goal is to provide the best treatments for melanoma and other skin cancers at all stages of disease.

It’s my personal mission to make sure the knowledge and skills we develop at MSK helps our broader community. In my spare time, I volunteer at skin cancer screening and education programs for dermatology residents. MSK sponsors these programs along with local health departments, the Somerset County Cancer Coalition, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.