AAD mentorship programs for early-career dermatologists

The AAD offers a comprehensive suite of mentorship and leadership programs designed specifically for early-career dermatologists. Whether you need a quick, focused consultation to navigate a specific challenge or a year-long mentorship to advance your career, we connect you with experienced dermatologists ready to share their insights.

Explore the programs and resources below to find the offering that best aligns with your needs.

Flash Mentoring for dermatologists

Sometimes you need advice without a long-term commitment to mentoring. Our flash mentoring program connects you with an experienced dermatologist for a one-time, focused consultation. You’ll gain valuable insights from their experience with no further obligations.

Leadership Forum

The Leadership Forum brings together senior leaders and participants for a popular weekend program. Advance your leadership and communication skills while networking with colleagues. You’ll learn about your own leadership style, how to resolve conflicts, and more.

Clinical Practice Dermatology Leadership Program

This year-long program provides comprehensive mentoring to help you advance in your skills and career. As part of this program, you’ll find a mentor, join the Leadership Forum, and participate in training at Annual Meeting and the Innovation Academy. This program recently completed its pilot and will soon begin accepting applications for 2027. Email Natalie Kirykowicz for more information.

The Academic Dermatology Leadership Program

The Academic Dermatology Leadership Program is a year-long program for faculty. As with our clinical program, you’ll find a mentor, join the Leadership Forum, and participate in training at Annual Meeting and the Innovation Academy. But the ADLP focuses on the distinct challenges faced by early-career faculty. You’ll learn how to enhance your influence, be a more effective leader of your team, and much more.

JAAD Editorial Mentorship Program

This JAAD program helps you develop critical and editorial skills in peer-reviewed journals. Participants are assigned an experienced mentor who will work with them to review manuscript submissions and gain a better understanding of the journal publication process. Learn more about the JAAD Editorial Mentorship Program.

Insights from leaders in dermatology

DermWorld interviewed leaders in medicine to gather their career insights and advice. Each told us about their journey to become a leader, the advice they give to those early in their careers, and how their involvement with the AAD helped along the way. Learn even more in part 2 of leaders in medicine.

You can also gain insights from a dermatologist who was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees. Read her advice on advancing your career and learn why it’s vital for dermatologists to take a leadership role in the house of medicine.

The evolution of mentorship

Mentorship has undergone a paradigm shift in recent years, becoming more collaborative, with the mentee helping to set the agenda. If mentors once focused only on clinical and career goals, they now take a broader approach, offering counsel on work-life balance, managing staff, and more. Learn more about how mentorship is evolving.

Resources for mentees

If you have already been accepted into one of our mentee programs, you can access our mentorship portal to create a profile and connect with a mentor. You can also see our mentee guidelines and the mentee job description (PDF). In addition, we offer recommended mentoring topics, guidance on ending the mentorship, and a way to recognize your mentor or donate in their name.

Contact us

If you have questions or need assistance, please email Natalie Kirykowicz.

This content was created with the particular needs of early-career dermatologists in mind. See the rest of our Career Launch resources for young physicians.