Steele Memorial Medical Center Completes Mohs Skin Cancer Treatment Project

Precision Skin Cancer Treatment Now Offered Locally in Salmon

Steele Memorial Medical Center is proud to announce the completion of its Mohs Micrographic Surgery Project, a milestone that brings the gold standard of skin cancer treatment directly to the Lemhi County.

Thanks to this critical investment in specialized equipment, staff training, and infrastructure, Mohs outpatient surgery is now available on-site in Salmon — a life-saving advancement for patients facing skin cancer diagnoses.

“This project reflects our mission to deliver high-quality, compassionate care close to home,” said Preston Becker, CEO of Steele Memorial Medical Center. “By providing Mohs outpatient surgery locally, we are giving patients access to the most effective skin cancer treatment without requiring costly, time-consuming travel.”

What Is Mohs Surgery — And Why It Matters

Mohs micrographic surgery is a precise surgical technique that removes skin cancer layer by layer while preserving the maximum amount of healthy tissue. It is the most effective treatment for common forms of skin cancer like basal and squamous cell carcinomas, with a cure rate of up to 99%.

Previously, patients diagnosed at Steele Memorial had to travel more than 320 miles round-trip to receive this treatment. This delay often led to postponed care or missed treatment altogether — a gap this project directly resolves.

“Early and effective treatment is essential in skin cancer cases,” said Dr. Colby Bingham, Board-Certified Dermatologist, who helped establish the program. “Offering Mohs surgery locally removes barriers to care and can truly save lives.”

Thank You to CHC Foundation

Steele Memorial Medical Center extends its sincere gratitude to the CHC Foundation for its generous $25,000 grant, which helped make this project possible.

“The support from the CHC Foundation allowed us to bring this high-level care to our rural community — and we are deeply thankful,” said Jenny Tracy, Marketing Director. “This investment has already had an impact on the lives of our patients and families.”

The funding supported equipment acquisition, minor facility renovation, and staff training. With a total project cost of $55,000, Steele Memorial provided the remaining balance through its capital improvement fund.

Key staff and departments were vital in bring this project to fruition. A huge thank you goes out to Rachel Alvarado, Grant Writer; Mike Seybold and Engineering Team; Beth Miller, Chief Clinic Director and Clinical Team; and Dr. Colby Bingham and Medical Team.

A Win for Rural Healthcare

According to the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho, the state ranks #1 nationally in melanoma-related deaths. This makes access to timely, effective treatment all the more critical in remote areas like Salmon.

The Mohs project exemplifies Steele Memorial’s ongoing commitment to ensuring rural patients receive cutting-edge care in their own community — improving outcomes, reducing costs, and supporting overall well-being.