Dear Academy Members:

2011 was an exciting year for dermatology and for your Academy. We saw years of effort bear fruit in a variety of exciting ways and laid the groundwork for future successes that will keep the specialty and the organization vital.

Protecting our patients from the dangers of indoor tanning has long been one of our most important public-health crusades. We’ve been making progress for years, with new state laws requiring parental notification for minors who want to tan and consideration by the Food and Drug Administration of a new classification for tanning beds. A breakthrough occurred in 2011, as California, often a legislative innovator, became the first state in the nation to ban indoor tanning for people under the age of 18. This is a victory that will save lives and should increase the momentum for similar laws in other states.

The Academy reinforced its position in the skin cancer prevention and detection vanguard when it joined the FDA in announcing new rules for the labeling of sunscreens on June 14. The new rules, which take effect in June of 2012, will help ensure that the public can select sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection; the updated labels will reinforce the message dermatologists have been sending for years about the need to apply, and re-apply, enough sunscreen to provide adequate sun protection. Again, this is a victory, one that should increase sun-safe behavior.

The Academy began 2011 by reinvigorating two of its most important member benefits — with dramatic, even award-winning, results. The new Dermatology World, with its mission of providing members with balanced news and information to help them manage their practices, understand legislative and regulatory issues, and incorporate clinical and research developments into patient care, has kept members up-to-date on the latest developments in a variety of areas, from electronic health records to accountable care organizations to apps and social media. It also won awards for its new design. Meanwhile, a revamped AAD.org offers members, the public, and the media a wealth of information, with more being added all the time; indeed, early in 2012 the public section of the site is being updated to include a monthly video update to the Dermatology A-Z area. Be sure to refer your patients to these exciting new updates.

We closed 2011 by taking a fresh look at how we do things, with ad hoc task forces contemplating ways the Academy can improve its communication with the public on important topics and its advocacy efforts. As we begin 2012, we’re confident that these efforts and myriad others underway, from the launch of new skin cancer public service announcements and the SPOT Skin Cancer™ campaign, to the creation of an app that will let you read JAAD on your iPad, to innovations in the way we plan our educational meetings to meet member needs, will ensure that the Academy, and dermatology, remain strong for years to come.

Click on the links to the left to read to learn more about the many successes we experienced in 2011.

Sincerely,

Ronald L. Moy, MD 2011 President	Daniel M. Siegel, MD 2011 President-elect