The AAD’s international presence
From the President
By Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, December 1, 2025
Taking care of dermatologists so that they can take care of their patients...and their practices
Dear members,
As a reflection of the Academy’s commitment to advancing dermatology worldwide and creating a permanent international impact, a key focus of my presidency has been successfully integrating domestic responsibilities with international travel. Each trip was strategic, yielding valuable insights for cultivating stronger international partnerships.
In March, I traveled to China, where I visited dermatology clinics and hospitals in four cities and delivered several lectures. This trip allowed an opportunity to establish a foundation upon which the AAD can build further collaboration with Chinese colleagues and gather key information about strategies the AAD can use to bolster its presence in China.
April was the Brazilian Congress of Dermatologic Surgery, where I delivered two lectures and participated in numerous discussions regarding increasing AAD collaboration. During these discussions, it became clear that Brazilian dermatology leaders are interested in establishing a stronger connection with the AAD and even considered having a booth or scientific sessions at the Annual Meeting. I was also interested to learn that Brazilian dermatologists face similar concerns with non-physician scope expansion. Some issues transcend borders!
I traveled to Valencia, Spain, in May to meet with the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). While there, I furthered collaboration and discussions with our Spanish colleagues, which will lead to a stronger connection going forward. I also accepted an award on behalf of the AAD recognizing the Academy for its support of Spanish dermatology and the AEDV.
I attended the Canadian Dermatology Association Annual Conference in June, where I had the opportunity to meet with the president and vice-president of that organization. I also delivered a lecture on international perspectives. I participated in a discussion regarding a shortage of dermatologists in Canada. There are only 800 in the entire country! If the U.S. had the same proportion compared to population, there would only be 6,600 American dermatologists. Young Canadian residents are not interested in the dermatology specialty, and my hope is that this can be changed through strong international cooperation.
My travels serve multiple strategic objectives: establishing academic exchange programs, fostering collaboration in clinical and scientific research, building goodwill, and providing educational resources to international dermatologists. Additionally, these trips encourage international colleagues to attend and network at U.S.-based events, such as the Annual Meeting or Innovation Academy.
We invite our international members to join us at next year’s Annual Meeting in Denver, from March 27-31. Registration is now open. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience firsthand the pride and strength of our Academy.
Until next time, all my best,
Susan
