Pathways residents

Your residency. Your leadership. Your future in dermatology.

You’re no longer wondering if you belong in dermatology — you are shaping its future.

Residency is where your clinical skills deepen, your professional identity grows, and your impact begins to take shape. Through Pathways, you’ll find leadership opportunities, research support, national connections, and Academy resources designed to help you thrive throughout residency and beyond.

You belong here. You lead here.

Residency is more than clinical training

Residency is about more than becoming an exceptional dermatologist. It’s an opportunity to grow as a leader, expand your professional network, contribute to research, and prepare for a meaningful career serving patients and advancing the specialty.

• Expand Your Network: Build relationships with residents across the country, Academy leaders, mentors, and future colleagues. The connections you make today can become lifelong collaborators, mentors, and friends.

• Grow as a Leader: Discover opportunities to serve your residency program, engage with the Academy, and develop leadership skills that extend far beyond residency.

• Prepare for Practice: Explore resources that support every stage of your professional journey — from residency through fellowship, private practice, academics, or other career paths.

Become a Resident Ambassador

The AAD Resident Ambassador Program is an opportunity for residents to serve as the connection between their residency program and the American Academy of Dermatology.

One resident from each dermatology residency program serves as an ambassador, helping fellow residents stay informed about valuable Academy resources, educational opportunities, and ways to become involved in the specialty.

As a Resident Ambassador, you’ll:

• Share relevant AAD resources and opportunities with fellow residents.

• Promote educational programs, leadership opportunities, and Academy initiatives.

• Build lasting relationships with Academy leaders and peers across the country.

• Expand your national professional network.

• Learn about AAD resources that support residents throughout training and into practice.

• Help fellow residents discover meaningful ways to engage with the dermatology community.

Young Investigator Awards

The Young Investigator Awards — Health Disparities Track recognizes outstanding resident-led research focused on understanding, reducing, and ultimately eliminating health disparities in dermatology.

Whether you’re studying access to care, outcomes across diverse patient populations, or strategies to improve health equity, this award supports research that has the potential to create meaningful change for patients and communities.

Recipients receive support to help advance their research while gaining national recognition within the dermatology community.

Award highlights

• $6,000 in research funding.

• National recognition through the AAD.

• Opportunity to present your work to leaders in dermatology.

• Support for innovative research focused on improving health equity.

• A meaningful step toward a future in academic medicine or clinical research.

• For residents conducting research that has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce health disparities in dermatology care.

The application period runs from June 20, 2026 through Sept. 20, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

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