I can't wait for summer...
From the President
Dr. Hruza served as Academy president from March 2019 to March 2020.
By George Hruza, MD, MBA, October 1, 2019
It’s October, which of course means most of us are swapping out our polos and T-shirts for sweaters and wool coats. Many of us are also thinking about plans for the upcoming holidays as well as the 2020 AAD Annual Meeting in Denver this coming March. While I enjoy the fall and the familiar scent of pumpkin spice in everything, I can honestly say that I am excited for summer...that is, the 2020 AAD Summer Meeting!
Your Academy has something very special in store for next year’s meeting, which is now called AAD Innovation Academy. The meeting will be held Aug. 13-16 in Seattle. While our Summer Meeting has continually proven to be successful and popular among our members, we have been diligently thinking about innovative and creative ways to make this meeting even better. The Academy has come up with an exciting new meeting program and format that will be more compelling for attendees — past and future. Here’s a sneak peek ...
We know that dermatologists enjoy thinking creatively, so we will kick off the meeting with a day devoted to innovation. Innovation Day will offer CME and non-CME programs, and two tracks: Innovation and Entrepreneurial.
The Innovation track, The Future of Dermatology, will offer presentations from dermatologists, industry, and entrepreneurs about new drugs or devices expected to be FDA-approved in the next year or two, as well as updates on novel techniques and emerging over-the-counter products. The Entrepreneurial track will offer sessions with marketing firms and finance leaders about how to market yourself, your practice, and/or a new product. For those more interested in managing their practice or participating in interactive sessions, on Thursday, we will be offering engaging practice management content as well as concurrent hands-on workshops.
We will be infusing innovation throughout the entire meeting. For instance, on Friday, participants who have applied will have the opportunity to pitch their state-of-the-art ideas for new products or tools to a panel of three Academy leaders who will serve as judges. If you’re a fan of the hit ABC show Shark Tank, you won’t want to miss the exciting and competitive Derm Tank!
The remaining portions of the meeting have been redesigned as well. Friday will consist of parallel sessions, focused on a single topic, allowing you to pick an area of interest, take a seat, and learn without running from session to session.
Would you prefer to spend time catching up with colleagues? You got it! This revamped meeting will also feature the Experience Hub with small learning and networking pods allowing for more intimate discussions between attendees, faculty, and industry professionals. In addition, a Welcome Reception will be held Thursday evening in the Exhibit Hall so that you can socialize with friends and exhibitors, and Derm Tank attendees will be treated to refreshments while also enjoying the competition!
Some other exciting features of this meeting will include childcare, networking refreshment breaks, an internet caf, technical exhibits, and other interactive opportunities. There will truly be something for everyone at AAD Innovation Academy. Also, in case you are wondering, 2019 was the last time we offered the traditional’ AAD Summer Meeting. With so many improvements and changes in the new program, it only makes sense to rebrand the entire meeting and have it in a new location where the AAD has never held a major meeting: Seattle.
What better place to introduce AAD Innovation Academy than Seattle, home of innovative stars of the U.S. economy such as Microsoft, Boeing, and Starbucks.
A mountain of congratulations and appreciation goes to the AAD membership, leaders, staff, and the Academy’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Reimagining the Summer Meeting for creating these exciting new concepts. I look forward to seeing all of this come to fruition in August 2020 and look forward to seeing you at the AAD Innovation Academy!
