Guatemalan worry dolls, old friends and new acquaintances greeted members and guests at the beautifully set tables of the 31st Annual Meeting Luncheon at the Marriott in San Francisco. WDS president, Jean Bolognia, MD welcomed the group and kicked off the event with a video highlighting the energetic volunteers and families that participated in the Families Play Safe in the Sun Campaign Days. Next it was on to awards, meeting business, the keynote speaker and the passing of the gavel.

Jean Bolognia conferred Honorary Membership upon Nancy Esterly, MD, godmother of Pediatric Dermatology, and Frances Storrs, consummate mentor (with the best laugh in dermatology). Toni Hood, MD, an acknowledged trailblazer in dermatology, suppressed the urge to dance to the program’s rockin’ soundtrack and accepted the Wilma Bergfeld Visionary Leadership Award. Dr. Hood thanked her husband, Evan as well as Wilma Bergfeld herself who Hood described as a leader who insisted upon leadership from those she influenced. Lenore Kakita, MD received the Rose Hirschler Award for her tireless leadership. She dedicated the honor to her late husband, Edward. She in turn thanked her own mentors and supportive family and friends. She expressed her hope that the WDS can continue to be a guiding light in dermatology. Accepting the Mentor of the Year Award, Amy Paller, MD graciously acknowledged her own mentor, Nancy Esterly, whom she described as a mentor with a capital “M”. Dr. Paller explained that despite her hectic schedule, she cherishes the many opportunities to mentor. She considers herself a student of her students and enjoys seeing the future successes of past mentees. Suzanne Connolly, MD received the President’s Award for her indefatigable dedication in traveling the country to launch the Play Safe in the Sun Campaign. Dr. Connolly humbly stated she was honored to be an ambassador. It is her hope the new video will light a fire within WDS members to volunteer.

Dr. Bolognia efficiently swept through the business portion of the program. The accomplishments of the committees were highlighted, new officers were elected, bylaws were amended and retiring officers were recognized. Dr. Bolognia, was “honored and relieved” to pass the gavel. She thanked her husband as well as the members of the executive staff and annual luncheon committee. The WDS thanked her for a productive year of growth on the local, national and international levels. Members hope to see her sporting her well-earned, diamond rose pin while actually sitting down to enjoy the meal when we all meet again next year in Washington, DC.

With business concluded, author and photojournalist Paola Gianturco took us far away on a narrative and pictorial journey through Guatamalia, South Africa, Turkey and India introducing us to poor but courageous craftswomen creating better lives for themselves and their families by becoming entrepreneurs. With four things, access to markets, credit, business information and health information, Gianturco found women can succeed financially. Once women have earning power, domestic violence, infant mortality, maternal mortality and birth rates decline. Paola Gianturco concluded her heart-warming, world tour by bringing her stories home for us saying, “small changes make larger changes possible and already, everywhere, changes have begun.”

Elizabeth McBurney, MD, WDS president for 2006-2007, graciously accepted the gavel and wrapped up the event, energizing us for the fun events ahead and placing mentorship as the keystone for the society. Her parting words are the perfect thought for all of us: “It is impossible to give more than you receive.”