From the editor
From the Editor
Dr. Schwarzenberger is the former physician editor of DermWorld.
By Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, March 1, 2019
Learning to say no. For some of us, this is one of the hardest things we do. However, it is a skill needed by those of us who chronically long for 26-hour days. I’ve read many different articles and books about time management but found AAD member Dr. Jennifer Gardner’s advice to be very much on point in today’s hectic and electronically interconnected world. Her thoughts on multi-tasking particularly hit home for me, as I suspect they will for many of you.
This month, we go beyond our previous discussions about bias to address the concept of cultural competency. Racial and ethnic demographics are changing in many parts of the country, and it is likely that some of your patients may not look like you, share your native language, or have been raised in the same country as you. It is important, however, that we be aware of the potential impact that cultural differences may have on our interaction with our patients. In her feature article “Speaking the same language,” assistant editor Emily Margosian explores ways we can assess and improve our cultural competency to ensure that we communicate effectively and respectfully with all our patients. Other highlights of this month’s edition include a review of the recently published dermatopathology appropriate use criteria, which may help you the next time you wonder if you should request those special stains! We also offer helpful information about long-term care insurance (yes, you need it) and strategies for ensuring you maintain your Medicare enrollment.
Melanoma Monday is just around the corner on May 6, 2019! If you haven’t already planned your annual free skin cancer screening, or if you need some help just getting started, see this month’s Asked and Answered. The AAD supports our members with educational materials, skin cancer screening forms, and promotional assistance. To date, we have performed more than 2.7 million free screenings during which we detected close to 300,000 suspicious lesions. Be a part of this wonderful public screening effort! The AAD makes it easy for you and, who knows, the next melanoma may be the one that you find.
March is a time of transition at the AAD, as we bid farewell to our outgoing leaders and welcome the new. We thank Dr. Suzanne Olbricht for her years of dedicated service to the AAD, not only for the innumerable hours she has given us this past year as President, but also for the decade(s) of prior service as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Secretary-Treasurer, head of the Scientific Assembly Committee and many other important committee roles. She, Vice-President Ted Rosen, MD, and the outgoing directors leave us with a strong strategic plan to help us keep moving forward in the upcoming years. Incoming President George Hruza, MD, MBA, has some pretty big shoes to fill, but I know he is up to the task, and we wish him well with the transition. And I cannot leave without a shout-out to Barbara Mathes, MD, who will be stepping down as AAD Secretary-Treasurer. Most of us cannot appreciate the many hours spent in this six-year role, and I suspect most mere mortals would take time off at this point to relax. However, I have it on good authority that Dr. Mathes will not be slowing down anytime soon...we wish her well in her next leadership role!
And speaking of transitions, March 15 is Match Day, a day we all remember, hopefully with great fondness! Take a moment to share the memories of Match Day with your colleagues as we mark the start of the next class of future dermatologists!
