There’s something for every FAAD (and their kids?) at AAD Innovation Academy
From the President
By Terrence A. Cronin Jr., MD, FAAD, August 1, 2023
It may sound cute, but if you’re joining me at the Academy’s Innovation Academy in Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 10-13, you’ll understand what I mean: There truly is something for everyone. Innovation Academy is the premier event for innovative thinkers in our specialty to gather and share our groundbreaking ideas and research. This meeting is like no other because we’re infusing innovation and entrepreneurial practices into the topic areas that we know you love, while providing the latest updates on drugs and devices, building your business, and advancing the way you practice dermatology.
Impact Report
Read more about all the Academy is doing for you.
Speaking of innovative thinking, you won’t want to miss our keynote speaker, Nina Jablonski, PhD, Evan Pugh University Professor of Anthropology at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Jablonski is a biological anthropologist, recognized for her contributions to the understanding of primate and human evolution. Her research focuses on the evolution of human skin and skin pigmentation. You will not want to miss this.
Those of you who joined us in Vancouver last year will likely remember DermTank — the dermatology version of the show Shark Tank. Who can forget seeing Dr. Brett Coldiron dance? For those who missed it, you’re in for a fun and engaging treat. During this session, presenters pitch their product or procedure to a panel of judges for a chance to win $10,000.
Not ready to pitch your idea to a bunch of sharks dermatologists? I suggest you join us for the Branding and the Business of Dermatology session that will help get you started. This session will cover marketing, social media, branding, product development, leadership, and customer service. Want to focus on your clinical skills? Check out our popular hands-on Derm Labs sessions on dermal fillers, nail surgery, wound closures, sutures, and scar revision. Check out all of the sessions here.
When I said we have something for everyone at Innovation Academy, I literally mean we have something for the whole family. We know it’s summer and you may be turning your education meeting into a vacation for the family, so we’ll be offering Little Learners Childcare at the meeting — a safe and secure, entertaining, and educational experience for your child.
We thought of everything when we put together this one-of-a-kind meeting experience. Frankly, that’s what we do here at the Academy — develop innovative opportunities and strategies that address your needs and challenges. Learn more about what your Academy is doing for our specialty.
I hope I will see you soon in Tampa. Start planning your calendars for next year, Aug. 1-4, 2024, because Innovation Academy is heading to Seattle! Stay passionate about dermatology!
“We must anticipate and be prepared for an acceleration of such changes.”
─ Clarence Livingood, MD, 1967
Call to action
When I first addressed you as Academy president at the plenary in New Orleans, I said, “When I call on you or ask you to do something, it won’t be minor — it will be something important.” Well, that “when” is now.
As you likely know, we’ve been in the fight of our lives this year, advocating against existential cuts to Medicare payments. Since 2001, the cost of operating a medical practice has increased 47%, while economy-wide inflation has risen 73%. During this time, Medicare hospital and nursing facility updates have increased by roughly 70%, significantly outpacing physician reimbursement. Additional Medicare cuts in 2022 and 2023 have made the problem even worse, and physicians will face further cuts in 2024. Your Academy is taking every action possible to avert cuts to Medicare physician payments and replace them with positive, inflation-based updates.
However, we need your voice. You can help in three ways: send a letter, tweet, and/or call your members of Congress and tell them why this issue matters to you and your patients. Every voice counts. Find out how you can lend us yours.
Presidential spotlight
It takes a dedicated and engaged membership to move the needle on the issues facing our patients and practices, and sometimes our most diligent members can go unrecognized. As a toast to our unsung heroes within the Academy, I will be featuring hardworking members at the end of this column each month.
Dr. Kourosh is an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She serves as her dermatology department’s Director of Community Health, providing access to dermatologic care for underserved communities. She is the founding director of the Clinic for Pigmentary Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the founder and director of MGH’s pro-bono tattoo removal program assisting those escaping gangs and human trafficking to be safe and reintegrate into society, which has won national awards for its impact.
Dr. Kourosh is committed to patient advocacy and solving public health problems for patients with skin disease. She developed the Skin Advocate iPhone App, a free iPhone application that connects patients with patient advocacy organizations for their skin conditions. She has served as editor-in-chief of Dialogues in Dermatology and was recognized for providing our members with up-to-date information during the COVID-19 crisis.
She is currently the chair of the AAD’s Ad Hoc Task Force on Dermatologic Resources for the Intervention and Prevention of Human Trafficking, which created a toolkit to help our members recognize and help this vulnerable population.
Her tireless commitment to education, advocacy, and patient care deserves our admiration and certainly the Presidential Spotlight!
Take Action
Find out how you can get involved in the Academy’s advocacy efforts.
