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Clay J. Cockerell, M.D. (born September 16, 1956) is an American dermatologist and dermatopathologist, dynamic entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, winery proprietor, and wine enthusiast.

Career

Dr. Cockerell is an internationally acclaimed dermatologist and dermatopathologist who is recognized for his leadership contributions to the study of skin disorders and diseases, dermatology and dermatopathology education, and patient advocacy, particularly for those patients diagnosed with skin cancer.

Dr. Cockerell is the medical director of Cockerell Dermatopathology located in Dallas, Texas. He is clinical professor of dermatology and dermatopathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and director of the dermatopathology division at the same institution. He is former secretary-treasurer and president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Cockerell Dermatopathology is a new venture that is a relocation of Cockerell and Associates Dermatopathology Laboratories that was originally founded in 1972 by Dr. Cockerell’s former partner, Robert G. Friedman, M.D. This laboratory serves more than 1,100 clinicians across the globe offering an array of consultative, ancillary, and management services to support the evaluation of dermatologic disorders ranging from routine to the most difficult cases. The state-of-the-art laboratory includes advanced automation that decreases the potential for human errors, produces higher quality slides for diagnosing, and improves turnaround times on routine cases that focus on the needs of referring clinicians and their patients.

Education is important to Dr. Cockerell as evidenced by his leadership involvement in teaching dermatology, pathology, and dermatopathology resident and fellowship physicians, as well as physician extenders in practice. He has been responsible for training over 150 fellows in the dermatopathology fellowship program he directs, which is one of the top programs in the United States. Dr. Cockerell has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and has lectured extensively around the world for over 25 years. He is a prolific author and has written over 400 books and original medical articles and papers.

In addition to his work at UT Southwestern, Dr. Cockerell is active with Baylor-Scott and White Medical Center in Dallas and in July of 2016, he will assume the chair of the dermatology division at the same institution.

Cockerell Dermatopathology houses a reading room with a 13-headed microscope for hands-on training. The high-tech conference room also has multiple video monitors and a digital video internet server that can be used to host live educational sessions to physicians around the world.

Dr. Cockerell is the founder and director of the international Practical Symposium: Sharpen Your Dermatology, Clinicopathologic and Business Skills conference held in Vail, Colorado each summer. The conference is unique in that it emphasizes clinicopathologic correlation and the working relationship between dermatologists and dermatopathologists in making accurate diagnoses and planning optimal treatment. It also emphasizes how clinicopathologic correlation can guide research, and new drug and device product development within dermatology. Another innovative component that distinguishes the conference from others is that it includes sessions on business development insights for clinicians. The international conference is open to all students, clinicians, and industry leaders within the dermatology, pathology, and dermatopathology specialties.

As a leader in his field, Dr. Cockerell is involved in myriad professional societies and holds leadership positions on multiple boards and committees. He has served on the board of AmeriPath, Inc., a formerly publicly traded company, prior to its acquisition by Quest Diagnostics.

Education

Dr. Cockerell attended Texas Tech University and entered Baylor College of Medicine via the early decision process in 1977. After graduating with honors from Baylor College of Medicine, he completed his dermatology residency and dermatopathology fellowship at New York University Medical Center in New York, New York where he served as chief resident. He received additional training in pathology from the renowned Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York.

Because of his involvement in the business as well as clinical aspects of medicine, Dr. Cockerell enrolled in a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at the Jack Welch Management Institute and will receive an MBA degree in 2016.

Dr. Cockerell possesses board certifications in both dermatology and dermatopathology. To maintain his clinical skills, Dr. Cockerell attends and contributes to continuing education events, conferences, symposiums, and participates in clinical trials.

Entrepreneurial Endeavors

An entrepreneur by nature, Dr. Cockerell owns patented products and intellectual properties that benefit patients with dermatologic disorders. CLn® is a line of body and hair cleansing products.

Solavé Daily SPF CleanserTM, co-owned by Dr. Cockerell and his wife, Brenda, is a revolutionary cleansing body wash with SPF ultraviolet light protection. The cleanser, used like soap in the bath or shower, provides passive protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation that causes photoaging, unsightly skin pigmentation, skin darkening, and skin cancer. Solavé is designed for use in people of all colors and ethnicities.

Philanthropic

Generous philanthropists, Dr. Cockerell and his wife, Brenda, donate resources to many organizations that benefit the community, including those established with his former partner the Robert G. Freeman, M.D. Chair in Dermatopathology at UT Southwestern. Dr. Cockerell is also the organizer of the Cockerell Dermatology Educational Foundation, a 501c3 organization that supports the fellowship program and hosts numerous continuing medical education (CME) accredited educational events.

Wine

With his wife, Brenda, Dr. Cockerell is co-owner of Coquerel Family Wine Estates in Calistoga, California in the Napa Valley that produces world-class wines. The name “Coquerel” is an archaic French derivation of the family name Cockerell that was specifically chosen, as the goal of the vineyard is to produce French-style wines in the Napa Valley. The vineyard is mostly dry-farmed and produces a number of grape varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah among others under the supervision of world-renowned wine specialist, Christine Barbe. Coquerel produces award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that capture the essence of the vintage, variety, and site.

A food and wine connoisseur, Cockerell serves as bailli of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and grand senechal of the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and is a longstanding member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux in Dallas, Texas. These non-profit international societies promote the enjoyment of wine, food, and camaraderie.

Personal

Dr. Cockerell is a third-generation dermatologist and fourth-generation physician originally from Abilene, Texas. He as well as his late father, Earl Grafton Cockerell, Earl Rush Cockerell, and Lonnie Cockerell all received their medical training at Baylor College of Medicine. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Brenda, also a native Texan and they wed in 1977. The Cockerells have two children, Charles, born in 1988, and Lillian, born in 1997, both of whom reside in Dallas. In addition to his enjoyment of wine, Dr. Cockerell is an avid golfer, skier, hunter, art collector, and world traveler.