Noah in the News

AAD Update at the 65th Noah Worcester Dermatological Society Meeting in Isle of Dunes, South Carolina
AAD President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD

You were just sworn in as President of the American Academy of Dermatology at the 2024 AAD Annual Meeting, a record-breaking meeting and the largest AAD to date with close to 20,000 attendees. What AAD initiatives would you like members to know more about during your presidency?

1. The AADA has been laser-focused on addressing the inflationary gap in physician payments that has occurred since 2001, with a 26% decrease in physician compensation when adjusted for inflation. There was a proposed 3.4% cut in 2024. Advocacy efforts mitigated about half of the proposed cut, but continued advocacy is needed to ensure that all types of dermatology practices, both private practice and academics remain sustainable. SkinPAC is bipartisan and very effective.
2. The AAD is a phenomenal resource for free and reduced-cost CME for AAD members, which can be easily accessed through the AAD learning portal. Offerings are broad, including complex medical dermatology, inpatient dermatology, surgical procedures, cosmetic dermatology, and pediatric dermatology, and they are fun and easy to utilize.
3. The prior authorization appeal letter tool can help AAD members quickly and easily generate a well-composed, personalized letter of medical necessity with just a few clicks and by inputting information for the insurance company's addressees. Other valuable AAD resources include the AAD coding consult, which can help ensure that your billing meets the most current standards.
4. Camp Discovery is a wonderful resource for our young patients with skin, hair, and nail differences and can create a memorable experience for children who otherwise may not be able to participate in a summer camp. Members are encouraged to volunteer as counselors and support Camp Discovery through donations, as well as to recommend patients to attend as campers. Remember, our patients can’t access this wonderful resource unless we refer them using the Camp Discovery referral form, so if you treat children with significant skin illnesses, please consider discussing it with them and their parents.
5. Don’t forget who you are (and make sure your patients, followers, and colleagues know too)! If you are an active AAD member, and you are a FAAD, that means you are a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Make sure to use this identifier in your professional social media, email signature line, and other public-facing communications. Your status as a FAAD distinguishes you as a skincare expert who has had the most rigorous medical education and training to diagnose and treat over 3,000 skin, hair, and nail conditions. No one knows skin better than we do! There's a lot of dermatologic information available on the internet, some good, some bad, and some downright ugly; make sure that people who engage with your social profiles know that you are an expert.
6. Speaking of social media, the AAD has a social media initiative called Your Dermatologist Knows which is designed to provide accurate, reliable, and engaging social media content operating under the Instagram handle @aadskin1, and don’t forget to follow @aadmember !