AAD
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  • Presentation

Organized Medicine and Leadership: Engaging Young Dermatologists in the AAD

Description

The speaker emphasizes that organized medicine, especially the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), is made up of dermatologists themselves—not just staff—and that young dermatologists are essential agents of change. She explains the AAD’s structure, the underrepresentation of young physicians in leadership despite making up a large share of the membership, and common barriers to involvement such as feeling overwhelmed, uncertain about what to contribute, or unaware of available roles. As chair of the Young Physicians Committee, she highlights efforts to improve communication, social media engagement, and resources tailored to early-career dermatologists, including a concierge contact, a career launch website, meeting guides, a young physicians section in the app, mentorship programs, free CME, clinical image resources, and contract, billing, coding, and advocacy tools. She encourages young dermatologists to join committees, task forces, editorial boards, and advocacy efforts, complete the member survey, and participate in state-level scope-of-practice advocacy, stressing that their perspectives are needed to strengthen the AAD.

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Conclusions

  • The AAD is fundamentally a member-driven organization, and young dermatologists are part of its core rather than outsiders.
  • Young physicians are substantially underrepresented in AAD leadership relative to their membership share, so increasing their participation is important.
  • The AAD has created multiple resources to make the organization more accessible to young physicians, including a dedicated concierge, career-launch tools, educational content, and mentorship programs.
  • Many young dermatologists do not get involved because they feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or unaware of opportunities, not because they lack value to contribute.
  • State-level advocacy is especially important for scope-of-practice issues, so young dermatologists need to engage beyond the national academy.
  • Individual participation from young physicians can meaningfully influence AAD policy, culture, and future direction.
  • Even early-career dermatologists without prior leadership experience can make a difference simply by speaking up, volunteering, and pursuing available roles.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. AAD Governance: Board of Directors, Nominating Committee, and Advisory Board.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. The American Academy of Dermatology is a big organization! 12,958 US fellows; 95.1% of US board-certified dermatologists are AAD members; ~33% young physicians.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. Young Physicians in the AAD: demographics and practice characteristics (64% female, 36% male; average age 36; average med school debt $200K).
  • American Academy of Dermatology. My AAD Rep / dedicated AAD concierge for new graduates and young physicians.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. Career Launch Website: www.aad.org/careerlaunch.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. Clinical Resources and Mentorship Opportunities (Clinical Image Collection, Dialogues in Dermatology, AAD Clinical Guidelines app, AAD Learn app, JAAD Editorial Mentorship Program).
  • American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA). Legislative Conference and grassroots advocacy alerts.
  • JAAD Editorial Mentorship Program.
  • Directions in Residency Advisor.
  • American Academy of Dermatology. A Guide for Residents & Young Physicians. AAD Annual Meeting, March 27–31, 2026, Denver, Colorado.