AAD’s historical commitment to inclusivity

The AAD has a rich history in support of inclusivity and a tradition of embracing all members from our multicultural nation. In 1994, The Academy established a Diversity Task Force, which later became a committee and launched the Mentorship Program in 1995 to connect medical students from communities with limited access to dermatology with practicing dermatologists for one-on-one mentorship. The program, active for nearly 30 years, provides hands-on exposure to the field of dermatology and helps stimulate interest in dermatology as a career.

In 2017, the president of the AAD convened a summit of dermatology societies to discuss strategies for broadening access to the specialty, as research showed that health inequities and patient outcomes were improved by a diverse physician workforce and training. Several initiatives emerged from that meeting, including an annual workshop, now in its sixth year, and awareness-building and mentorship opportunities for students with limited access to dermatology pathways.

In 2020, the AAD’s Board of Directors adopted a strategic plan proposed by the AAD Diversity Committee to build on long-standing efforts and outline programs to advance inclusivity in dermatology. Subsequent initiatives focus on:

• Promoting and facilitating inclusive practices within the AAD;

• Expanding the dermatology workforce and providing leadership and professional development programming for students and trainees with limited access to specialty pathways;

• Ensuring dermatologic education and research addresses health disparities and care for patients with varied skin tones; and

• Supporting advocacy priorities that address health inequities and barriers to care.

These programs address disparities related to race/ethnicity in addition to disparities based on other social determinants of health which include, but are not limited to, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, geography, and economic status.