WDS celebrates reaching and surpassing its goal of 1,000 members this year with a very special, fun luncheon.

"1,000 Roses and Blooming"
by Michael Ming, MD, MSCE

A wonderful time was had by all at the 29th WDS Annual Luncheon, held on February 2, 2004 during the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC.  The theme of the sold-out luncheon, attended by over 660 members, was "1,000 Roses and Blooming:  a celebration of extraordinary membership growth," commemorating the addition of the 1000th member to the society.  Befitting the WDS message that the society should not be considered an organization exclusively for women, the thousandth member was David Pariser, MD, who was recognized during the luncheon.

In recognition of the theme of the luncheon and of the rose as the symbol of the WDS, the banquet hall was decorated with light projections of roses on the walls, and an individual rose was present at each place setting.  With the exception of a few tables set aside for reunions, members were randomly seated to enhance networking and to increase member interaction.  The luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and see old ones.

At the beginning of the luncheon, Richard Odom, MD, was honored as the recipient of the 2004 Rose Hirschler Award.  The award, named after the first known woman dermatologist in the United States, is presented to a physician chosen for having made significant contributions to dermatology and medicine, and who by his or her achievements has enhanced the role of women in the specialty.  Dr. Odom has been a member of the WDS since 1980 and is a member of the Board of Directors.  He has worked tirelessly on behalf of women in dermatology throughout his career.  He was greeted with a standing ovation at the luncheon, and in his acceptance speech, he described the resources available to WDS members as well as the increasing role of women in dermatology, saying "Women are the future."

Dr. Odom then presented the Mentor of the Year Award to Vera Price, MD, in recognition of her having sponsored 10 mentees in the WDS Mentoring Program as well as mentoring countless other dermatologists, fellows, residents, and medical students in the mysteries of hair loss.  Dr. Price graciously thanked Dr. Frances Storrs, the founder of the WDS Mentoring Program, as well as those who make the program possible.

Next, our outgoing President, Marianne O'Donoghue, MD, presented the President's Award to her entire Executive Committee for all of their efforts on behalf of the WDS over the past year.  Other award recipients were recognized, including the 34 recipients and mentors of the Mentoring Program, the 5 recipients of the Career Development Awards, and the 10 International Travel awardees, who came from countries as diverse as Turkey, Italy, the Philippines, Colombia, Yugoslavia, and India.

The members then welcomed new WDS members, including 28 Active Members, 6 Affiliate/International Members, 8 Corporate Members, and 61 Graduate (Resident) Members.  The outgoing officers were recognized, and the new officers were welcomed, including Sandra Read, MD, President; Jean Bolognia, MD, Vice-President; Suzanne Connolly, MD, Secretary; Tina Alster, MD, Director; Lisa Garner, MD, Director; Michael Ming, MD, MSCE, Director; and James Taylor, MD, Director.

Dr. Alster then introduced our keynote speaker, Maureen Orth, author and special correspondent for Vanity Fair.  In her provocative talk, partially based on her new book, "The Importance of Being Famous:  Behind the Scenes of the Celebrity-Industrial Complex," Ms. Orth described her thoughts regarding the role of celebrities in our culture.  She stated that she felt that "who becomes famous is almost arbitrary" and not related to achievement, but rather more to choices made by "the media beast (which) has to be fed."  She described how the media chooses certain cases or circumstances, such as the Lacy Peterson case, but completely ignores similar stories.  She also discussed "how people who are made into celebrities lose any sense of reality," being surrounded by handlers and by a world that treats them differently than "regular" people.  Ms. Orth generously donated her entire honorarium to Camp Discovery.

In closing, Sandra Read, MD, the incoming WDS President, described her reasons for becoming involved in the WDS and her vision of what the WDS can do for its members.  She explained how becoming involved and active in this "energetic association of brilliant and committed women and men" helped her own personal growth.  "The WDS was there for me - I want to make sure the WDS is there for you," Dr. Read said.  "We are going to help you grow·. Just ask."