A Biography of Dr Frederic Mohs

Mohs first experimented with chemosurgery during the 1930s. He found that it could remove tumors with an impressive cure rate while simultaneously producing minimal side effects.

This oral history project was made possible thanks to the support of both University Archives and Mohs family. Interviews were conducted, processed and transcribed by students Sophie Clark, Emma Helstrom and Kayla Bell.

Early Life and Education

Frederic Mohs was an eminent physician and scientist who pioneered innovative approaches to treating skin cancer. His groundbreaking Mohs surgery method involved cutting layers from skin tissue and then carefully inspecting them with a microscope in order to detect all cancerous cells that had been removed.

Mohs began his career under Abraham Werner as a student and published several works on mineralogy, such as Des Grun gebaudes Himmelfurst ohnweit Freiberg and Uber die oryktognostische Klassifikation, nebst Versuch einer ElementarMethode zur Naturhistorischen Bestimmung und Erkennung der Fossilien (Vienna 1804). Mohs also made extensive travels throughout Britain during this period and impressed Scottish mineralogists with his revolutionary ideas on mineral classification.

In 1822 and 1824, Mohs also published his two-volume Grund-Riss der Mineralogie which detailed his newly classified minerals as well as introduced his hardness scale, the Mohs scale.

Professional Career

Mohs was an innovator who developed and perfected micrographic surgery – an effective treatment option for various forms of skin cancer – during his career, treating an estimated 30-40 patients and attaining cure rates of 99 percent or better.

Dr. Lebwohl has revolutionized how medical professionals treat skin cancer, making his name synonymous with excellence. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Lebwohl has dedicated significant time and energy to serving his community through volunteering for local organizations and coaching youth sports teams.

He works as a criminal defense attorney in Spicer, Minnesota and has been chosen as a Super Lawyer multiple times by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine and American Bar Association membership. Furthermore, his work has received many awards and honors.

Achievement and Honors

He earned top honors in his undergraduate class and joined Phi Beta Kappa honor society, before proceeding on to medical school where he received a scholarship and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Subsequently he completed both his dermatology residency and fellowship training for Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic oncology, and facial reconstruction at world renowned Mayo Clinic.

He published several peer reviewed articles and presented research at local and national meetings, while also serving as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Utah for several years.

He was an active member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church and particularly enjoyed participating in Bible studies over time. He leaves behind his wife Rollee; son Daniel; daughter Kam; two grandchildren and brother Harvey.

Personal Life

Mohs was an avid scholar and traveled widely. An expert in mineralogy, his knowledge was vast. Additionally, he belonged to various professional associations and societies and wrote books.

After Abraham Werner died, Mohs took on a professorship at Freiberg to work on perfecting his system of systematic mineralogy. Additionally, he made frequent trips to Great Britain where his novel ideas impressed mineralogists there.

Daniel Mohs is a legal professional with 31 years of experience and graduated from U Of Tx Southwestern Med Sch At Dallas. Daniel currently provides services to clients in Spicer, Minnesota for Criminal Defense issues.