No advocacy experience? No problem!
Ask the Expert
By Allison Evans, Assistant Managing Editor, August 1, 2023
In this exclusive DermWorld Academy Insider interview, Afton Cobb, MD, FAAD, and Virginia Tracey, MD, FAAD, first-time attendees of the 2022 AADA Legislative Conference, talk about their experiences and why it’s important that dermatologists attend regardless of whether they have advocacy experience.
DermWorld: As a first-time attendee of the AADA’s Legislative Conference, what was your overall experience like?
Dr. Tracey: I really enjoyed connecting with and learning from other dermatologists. I am in private practice in upstate New York and was paired with an academic dermatologist from NYC for lobbying. Even though our practice settings are different, the same issues — like patients’ access to medications — affected both of us.
Dr. Cobb: I had a fantastic experience at the conference! Several of my colleagues recommended it to me, and it exceeded my expectations. It’s invaluable training to understand your own leadership and communication strengths and weaknesses. As physicians, we are all leaders by nature of our position. Leadership is a learned and practiced skill, and despite the hours of training in medicine, we are relatively less prepared for this part of our role within our teams and communities. I would highly recommend this conference to other dermatologists.
My favorite part of the conference was getting to spend quality time meeting and bonding with other dermatologists. The group of colleagues at the conference were a great group of inspiring and fun people. I left feeling energized to become a better leader and dermatologist. It made me feel proud of our specialty. Because the conference is smaller than other conferences, there was ample opportunity to form real bonds, and I’m sure the connections I made over that weekend will last for years to come.
AADA Legislative Conference
There are only a few days left to register for the 2023 AADA Legislative Conference. Secure your spot.
DermWorld: What did you take away from the conference?
Dr. Tracey: Since attending, I have connected with and become involved with my state dermatology society. I think every dermatologist should attend at some point. It’s important for all of us to understand the impact of policy on our specialty.
Dr. Cobb: My favorite educational component of the conference was the communication and public speaking training. I am sure that I will be a more engaging and effective presenter, communicator, and negotiator as a result of it. I wished I had had something like this previously in the course of my career.
DermWorld: Some members may shy away from attending Legislative Conference because they have no advocacy experience. Is advocacy experience necessary to attend?
Dr. Tracey: The conference provided excellent preparation for lobbying. If you come knowing your practice and your patients, you’ll be able to tie personal stories to the issues when you talk to policymakers and their staff.
Dr. Cobb: Anyone can go! There is no better place to start if you have not done advocacy previously. This is a supportive environment with lots of opportunities for friendship and mentorship, and the experience would benefit people both at the beginning of their journey and along the way.
What to expect at the conference:
Two days of networking and learning from political experts about the legislative asks you’ll take to Capitol Hill.
A day of meetings including you and others from your state where you ask Congress for support on critical issues like fixing Medicare payment.
Complete support from the AADA’s grassroots staff throughout the meeting, including training and pre-conference information to help you prepare. The AADA works with a vendor that schedules all your Hill meetings — you just need to show up!
AADA advocacy priorities
Read more about the AADA’s advocacy priorities.
