Our Dermatopathologists

Skin Pathology’s physicians are dedicated to providing exceptional services to healthcare providers throughout the country, and therefore, truly become a valuable extension of our referring physicians’ team. By working closely with our healthcare providers, we create a collaborative approach that makes even the most complicated cases diagnosable. Through their accuracy, promptness, accessibility and personal consultations, our physician team’s passion and commitment to the field of dermatopathology provides your patient with the best possible care.

James E. Elder, M.D.

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Board Certification
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Pathology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

New York University Medical Center
New York, NY

Residency
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Chief Resident
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Birmingham, AL

Education
Medical Degree
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Birmingham, AL

Bachelor of Science
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dr. James Elder is a native of Guntersville, Alabama. He practiced with Cunningham Pathology for approximately ten years prior to his dermatopathology fellowship. Dr. Elder and Dr. Bob Jones formed Skin Pathology Associates in 1995.

Dr. Elder is passionate about giving back to the profession of dermatology and spends a great deal of his time teaching dermatology residents. He is on faculty at UAB and Tulane.

Dr. Elder is married and has three grown children. Fishing, woodworking and flying are favorites among his many hobbies. He especially enjoys spending time at the coast with his family, and his grandson is the apple of his eye.

Anne Hearn Bussian, M.D.

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Board Certification
Anatomic Pathology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Pathology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC

Residency
Anatomic Pathology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Internship, OB/GYN
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Education
Medical Degree
University of Alabama
School of Medicine
Birmingham, AL

Bachelor of Science, Biology
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Dr. Bussian grew up in Florence, Alabama, and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology from Vanderbilt University in 1991. She was president of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1995. After a year and a half of residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAB, she transferred to Anatomic Pathology, serving as Chief Resident in 1999-2000. From there she went to Duke University for her dermatopathology fellowship and became board certified in 2001. She was an Assistant Professor in the department of Pathology for one year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she practiced dermatopathology and gynecologic pathology before joining Skin Pathology Associates, Inc., in 2002, where she has been happily practicing since.   

She finds her career in dermatopathology rewarding and satisfying. She looks forward to work each day in the collegial and relaxed environment at Skin Pathology Associates. She relishes discussing interesting cases with referring clinicians and colleagues, correlating the clinical findings with the histopathologic features. She enjoys teaching in this informal setting as well, and welcomes dermatology trainees or practitioners to spend a morning or afternoon at the microscope with her.  

Dr. Bussian is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Women’s Dermatology Society, the College of American Pathologists, and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, among others. She is a past president of the Alabama Dermatology Society.  

Kathleen M. Beckum, M.D.

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Board Certification
Dermatology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Dermatology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology 
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Residency
Dermatology
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Internship
Medical Internship
St. Johns Mercy Medical Center
St. Louis, MO

Education
Medical Degree
University of Missouri School of Medicine
Columbia, MO

Bachelor of Science
University of Missouri – Columbia
Columbia, MO

Dr. Beckum is a board-certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. She graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College at University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in Biology. She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine at the top of her class. She was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She fell in love with dermatology during her first year of medical school. She found her home in Birmingham when she accepted a dermatology residency position at the University of Alabama Birmingham.

With a passion for understanding dermatology, Dr. Beckum completed a Dermatopathology Fellowship at the University of Alabama Birmingham. She also studied dermatopathology at the University of California - San Francisco. She enjoys using her skills in dermatology and dermatopathology for clinicopathologic correlation and diagnostically challenging cases.

Dr. Beckum served as Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama Birmingham for three years. She led a team of medical students, residents and fellows in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. She is passionate about teaching and welcomes colleagues and trainees to spend time with her at the microscope.

Dr. Beckum is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Alabama Dermatology Society. 

Alexander Wong, M.D.

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Board Certification
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Pathology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology 
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Residency
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Yale University School of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital
New Haven, CT

Education
Medical Degree
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Science
University of Hawai`i
Honolulu, HI

Alexander Wong, M.D. is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology as well dermatopathology. He currently practices dermatopathology since joining Skin Pathology Associates in 2014.

Dr. Wong was born and raised on the island of O`ahu in Hawai`i, where his activities included spearfishing, skateboarding and also serving as captain of the wrestling team. He attended the University of Hawai`i where he studied English rhetoric. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin and later completed his residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He spent his time at Yale engrossed with dermatopathology and frequently presented his research at national meetings. In 2011, he was awarded “Best oral abstract presentation” at the American Society of Dermatopathology 48th annual meeting. He completed his dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. 

Besides dermatopathology, his current passions include Brazilian jujitsu, freediving, cooking and playing guitar.

Gina Johnson, M.D.

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Board Certification
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Pathology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology 
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Residency
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Education
Medical Degree
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Bachelor of Science
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Dr. Johnson grew up in Goose Creek, South Carolina. In 2006, she graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After graduation, she worked as a research laboratory technician for the Department of Biology at Florida State University, where she researched zebrafish retinal epithelium. Dr. Johnson graduated from Florida State University College of Medicine in 2012.

In 2016, she completed her anatomic and clinical pathology residency in Atlanta, Georgia at Emory University. While in residency, her enthusiasm for teaching and research in dermatopathology grew; she presented her work frequently at national meetings, including the American Society of Dermatopathology, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, and the International Society of Dermatopathology. In 2017, she completed her fellowship in dermatopathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In fellowship, she continued to present her research and was very involved in teaching dermatopathology to dermatology and pathology residents.

Dr. Johnson joined Skin Pathology Associates in 2017. She was drawn to the collegial nature of the group and enjoyed her colleagues’ enthusiasm for teaching and sharing cases. Teaching and sharing information with others that will improve patient care is tremendously rewarding for Dr. Johnson. What she enjoys most about the field of dermatopathology is the close clinical correlation and interaction with the dermatology team. She has a special interest in soft tissue pathology and cutaneous infectious diseases. Outside of work, her hobbies include baking, canning, and spending time with her husband and three young daughters.

Edward Fulton, M.D.

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Board Certification
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Dermatopathology
American Boards of Pathology and Dermatopathology

Fellowship
Dermatopathology 
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Residency
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology
Harvard Medical School – Beth Israel Deaconess
Boston, MA

Education
Medical Degree
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Bachelor of Arts - Biochemistry
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Dr. Fulton completed medical school at the University of Florida and residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Harvard Medical School- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. After developing a love for dermatopathology in residency, Dr. Fulton completed a dermatopathology fellowship at the University of Arkansas, where he trained under Drs. Sara Shalin and Jerad Gardner. He has published articles relating to dermatopathology in several academic journals, and his special interests include cutaneous soft tissue pathology and adnexal neoplasms.

Dr. Fulton joined Skin Pathology Associates in 2018—he was drawn to the group’s collegiality and emphasis on service and teaching, and saw that a practice focused exclusively on dermatopathology could translate to excellent and cutting edge patient care. Outside of work, he enjoys playing the banjo and spending time with his wife (Beth) and bolognese-mini poodle (Ella).

Alyssa Higgins, M.D.

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Professional Credentials and Specializations
Board Certification: Dr. Higgins is rigorously trained and certified in Pathology - Anatomic and
Pathology - Clinical.
Fellowship: She has completed an advanced fellowship in Dermatopathology, further honing her
diagnostic abilities.

Educational Background
Medical Degree: Dr. Higgins earned her medical degree from A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO.
Residency: She has undergone extensive residency training, equipping her with a broad and detailed understanding of pathological conditions.

Personal Interests
Outside the laboratory, Dr. Higgins is passionate about exploring the outdoors, diving into her latest read, and cherishing quality time with her family. These activities not only enrich her personal life but also enhance her professional effectiveness through a balanced lifestyle.

Meet Dr. Higgins, Expert Dermatopathologist and Board-Certified Specialist
Dr. Higgins stands out as a highly skilled dermatopathologist, certified in both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Her expertise is pivotal in diagnosing a range of diseases by meticulously analyzing biopsied tissue and interpreting complex medical tests. Dr. Higgins collaborates closely with other specialists, including dermatologists and cardiologists, ensuring accurate diagnoses that contribute to effective treatment plans.

Sophie Wang, M.D.

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Board Certification
Dermatology, Dermatopathology
Alabama Dermatology Society Certified by American Board of Dermatology (ABD)

Fellowship
Dermatopathology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH

Residency
Dermatology
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

Internship
Medical Internship
Medical Health
Cleveland, OH

Education
Medical Degree
Case Western Reserve University of Medicine
Cleveland, OH
Bachelor Science in Human Communication with a Minor in Spanish
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Memberships
Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Member
American Society of Dermatology (ASD) Member
American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) Member
Women's Dermatologic Society (WDS) Member

Dr. Sophie Wang completed her undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Communication Sciences with a minor in Spanish. She then pursued her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Following this, Dr. Wang undertook an internship in Internal Medicine at MetroHealth. Her residency in Dermatology was completed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she gained extensive experience in the field. Additionally, she completed a Dermatopathology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, where she developed specialized skills in the histopathological diagnosis of dermatologic conditions.

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