Transitions and resolutions
From the Editor
By Warren R. Heymann, MD, FAAD, January 1, 2026
New Year’s Day is a time of transition, allowing us to reflect on the past and look forward to a brighter future.
I am honored to be the new physician editor of DermWorld. It is a challenge to follow in the footsteps of my brilliant predecessors Drs. Abby Van Voorhees and Kathy Schwarzenberger. I will do my utmost to ensure that DermWorld remains a vital venue for practicing dermatologists. In September 2025, the AAD lost a giant — Richard (Dick) Scher, MD. Not only was he an international authority on nail disease, but he also served as vice president and president of the AAD, mentoring many, including me. Thirty-five years ago, Dick interviewed me about the cutaneous manifestations of thyroid disease for Dialogues in Dermatology. I was smitten by Dialogues and asked Dick if I could join the editorial team so I could conduct interviews with others. Dick was instrumental in securing that position and continued to guide me in developing my interview skills and involvement in the AAD. Without that initial encouragement, I doubt that I would be writing this column today. Dick’s ultimate gift was to be a mentor. The AAD has a new Flash Mentoring program, and I encourage everyone to check it out.
In this issue of DermWorld, we explore the dermatologic perspectives on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Dermatologists need to be familiar with the potential adverse reactions of the drugs and consider how their use may help patients where weight loss is beneficial. Disorders such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Hailey-Hailey disease, and others may improve with GLP-1 agonists added to their therapeutic regimen. As dermatologists, being in the right frame of mind is essential in delivering optimal care to our patients. Burnout is defined as a chronic state of stress characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and is reported by almost half of all dermatologists. Daily burdens of practice can lead to stress, even for those of us who enjoy the proverbial “work-life balance.” This article is a crucial read for all clinicians to understand what may trigger burnout and how to combat it.
Unfortunately, disparities in social determinants of health — a lack of insurance, transportation, food insecurity, or adequate housing — hinder the delivery of health care to our neediest patients. We look at how these crucial disparities can be identified and addressed.
Practicing dermatology is a dynamic affair with an ever-accelerating pace of change. I look forward to incorporating this knowledge in DermWorld for the benefit of dermatologists and our patients. For those of you who have followed DermWorld Insights and Inquiries, this will now be a monthly column in print and online. The popular “What’s Hot” contributions will also appear weekly online in DermWorld Weekly.
On behalf of the entire DermWorld staff, I wish you and your families a glorious 2026!
