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ASDS/A 2020 Annual Report
HONORING OUR HISTORY – CELEBRATING OUR FUTURE The year 2020 will go down in the history books. The global pandemic has generated healthcare challenges, far reaching economic affects and disrupted how we approach our daily lives. For ASDS/A members, we experienced challenges in delivering patient care, keeping practices open, sourcing personal protective equipment (PPE), expanding telemedicine, staff layoffs and so much more. Additionally, strained race relations encircled our nation, causing further divisions in an already stressed national community. Through all these challenges, a most notable event for our Society was upon us – the ASDS 50th Anniversary! In the midst of these unprecedented times, the Society rallied our members, providing information and resources to help us meet the challenges head on all while finding creative ways to acknowledge and celebrate our history in this milestone year. Flipping through the following pages, you will see how ASDS/A works to ensure your personal and professional success. A host of COVID-19 related resources were offered including 23 webinars with topics ranging from financial impacts to marketing strategies. Information on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the CARES Act, various financial resources and downloadable patient education information were provided as complimentary member benefits. I was also proud to be part of a joint task force with ASDSA and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) offering guidance for reopening cosmetic dermatology practices during the pandemic. Additionally, two important digital tools were launched: ASDS Learn, our virtual education learning system, and ASDS Connect, our digital member-to-member community. These new offerings allowed members to virtually gather to share their personal challenges, offer advice and access leading education no matter where they are located. Social media continues to gain influence as a leading knowledge source for members and consumers. This year we increased our social media resources expanding our reach notably with a 198% growth on Instagram. We also utilized social media platforms to reach our residents. When many programs shut down or reduced educational opportunities, we launched weekly “Derm Surgery Sunday” Instagram Live educational sessions featuring an ASDS member expert presenting fast hitting content targeted to help residents on the board exam.
One of my presidential goals was to strengthen our membership through embracing our diversity. ASDS is the unifying body for all surgical groups, be it reconstruction, skin cancer, laser or cosmetic. It is through this unification and shared challenges that we are recovering and coming into 2021 stronger than before. I am proud that we successfully launched the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Work Group, whose mission is to promote cultural competency and awareness within dermatology, increase diversity within ASDS among membership and educate underrepresented minorities about general and procedural dermatology. A memorable event this year was pivoting to our 2020 ASDS Virtual Annual Meeting. Although we missed the camaraderie of being together, the Society offered a record breaking event with over 1,400 attendees. The meeting provided the same best-in-class education in an interactive platformwith live Q&A, networking chat rooms, virtual Exhibit Hall and engaging networking events including our 50th Anniversary celebration that capped off an unforgettable anniversary year. As we move into our next 50 years, we will continue to build on the successes of our founders who had the foresight to see the extraordinary opportunity in our subspecialty.
Yours truly,
Marc D. Brown, MD
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