Advocating on behalf of dermatology is an enduring obligation
From the President
Dr. Hruza served as Academy president from March 2019 to March 2020.
By George Hruza, MD, MBA, December 1, 2019
The year is winding down, and as usual I find myself reminiscing about the last 12 months — thinking about all of the patients I have helped, and all that we have faced and accomplished as a specialty. I have a lot of fond memories this year from Washington, D.C., in particular. Not only is it the city where I began my term serving as your Academy President. It was also the site of one of the most successful AADA Legislative Conferences on the books — two events I feel very honored and privileged to have been a part of.
The AADA Legislative Conference is our specialty’s premier meeting focused on legislative, regulatory, and political issues that affect dermatology. This year, we had record attendance with more than 200 participants from 36 states — and not just dermatologists! Attendees also included patients, patient advocates, dermatology nurses, and dermatology practice administrators.
I have attended almost 20 AADA Legislative Conferences, and it never ceases to amaze me how exhausting, yet exhilarating the event is. The program offers policy-focused breakout sessions, designed to offer an in-depth understanding of the issues participants will present to their congressional representatives and senators on the final day of the conference. Additionally, the event provides a mentoring program that matches new advocates with an AADA leader to help guide the new attendee through their Capitol Hill experience. This year, I had the opportunity to mentor a resident from my state. Her enthusiasm for advocacy was infectious making this one of my most energized Legislative Conferences. It’s inspiring to see residents and young physicians take an interest in advocacy and the future of the specialty. After all, they are the ones who will live with how our advocacy efforts shape the future of dermatology for many years to come.
We also heard from several incredible speakers. Keynote speaker Michael A. Smerconish, the host of The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM Channel 124 and CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday Mornings, gave an inspiring, non-partisan talk — which is rare in today’s hyperpolarized political climate! We also heard from featured speakers Rep. John Joyce, MD, FAAD (R-Pa.-13), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.-7), and two former members of Congress, Bill Shuster and Joe Crowley.
On the final day of the event, we took the Capitol by storm — attendees met with 157 House of Representatives offices and 71 Senate offices to discuss legislation that would address rising pharmaceutical costs, avert the pending Medicare payment freeze for physicians, promote skin cancer prevention, and increase access to sunscreens. Of the 228 congressional meetings, 84 were member-level meetings that included either the senator or representative. I visited the offices of Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, as well as Reps. Vicky Hartzler, Ann Wagner, and Billy Long. I am so grateful for their time and honored to have had this opportunity to speak on behalf of my patients and specialty.
Additionally, AADA members who could not attend the conference were invited to participate in a “Virtual Fly-In” by sending a letter to their members of Congress about the specialty’s legislative asks. About 200 letters were sent by more than 60 AADA members.
It was a long three days in Washington, D.C., but it was more than worth it to speak on behalf of my patients and my profession. However, the work isn’t done yet! The New Year is just around the corner, and that will bring issues (both new and old) that we must not stay silent on. When your Academy calls on you to lend us your voice, please heed the call. Let’s keep this momentum going and pledge to be advocates for our patients and specialty year-round!
