34th Annual Meeting Luncheon: A True Display of WDS Energy and Diversity!

Kudos to a hard-working and dedicated Annual Luncheon Committee whose attention to detail warmed up the ballroom in WDS-style! Shown from left are Committee Co-chairs Maryam Asgari, MD, MPH and Beth Ruben, MD with Committee Member Lily Talakoub, MD

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A lively and fascinating program kept luncheon attendees in rapt attention throughout the afternoon.

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In her energized remarks to a record-breaking crowd, 2009-2010 President Wendy E. Roberts, MD passionately encouraged members to become more engaged and involved in WDS

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34th Annual Meeting Luncheon: A True Display of WDS Energy and Diversity!
By Rochelle Torgerson, MD, PhD

The events hosted by the WDS during the 67th Annual Meeting of the AAD in San Francisco offered a whirlwind of activities, with something for everyone. It was a true display of our energy and diversity.

The 34th Annual Meeting Luncheon attendance broke records and provided the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of 2008, pay tribute to leaders in the organization, and share wisdom on gendered innovations in science.

Under the stewardship of Immediate Past President, Suzanne Connolly, MD, the 1,600 members of the WDS continued to display a profound commitment to service. Since 2004, six hundred volunteers donated 4,000 hours of their time to provide 6,000 skin cancer screenings. The last 5 years of volunteer community outreach were highlighted in the film Salute to Service, which debuted at the luncheon and is now available for viewing on the WDS website.

Adelaide Hebert, MD presented Ilona Frieden, MD, with the Rose Hirschler Award and Tina Alster, MD with the Mentor of the Year award. Suzanne Connolly, MD presented Marie-France Demierre, MD with the President’s Award. Click on the follwoing links for additional coverage of this year’s WDS awards:

In an historic and proud moment for the WDS and its members, incoming president, Wendy E. Roberts, MD dynamically addressed the 800 attendees. Dr. Roberts is the first African-American to lead one of the three largest dermatology associations. It is her goal to foster everyone's unique interests and talents. She emphasized the mission of the WDS to identify, recognize, train and promote leaders in dermatology who will contribute to our specialty and society. Click here to read more.

Keynote speaker Londa Schiebinger, PhD spoke on women and gender in science and medicine. She stressed a need for "Gendered Innovations." Although women may need to adapt, they do not need to be fixed. Instead, there needs to be transformation within in terms of personnel, culture, and institutions.

Ironically the luncheon took place on March 8th, which is International Women's Day, a day first celebrated in 1908 when women were oppressed. It is a day to acknowledge that we are able to do what we do thanks to the success and hard work of those who came before us. We need not rest there; the women before us were champions of change, and through the WDS, we can be as well.

Sharing a memorable experience are, from left (seated): Robert Grant, Allergan, Michele Verschoore, MD, L'Oréal, Wendy E. Roberts, MD, Susan Weinkle MD; Standing from left: Keith Greathouse, DermAvance, Gene Colon, Esq., L'Oréal USA, Vic Narurkar MD, Ava Shamban, MD, Martin Kagi, MD, and Karen Burke, MD.

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Enjoying a great WDS moment are Jonith Breadon, MD, Wendy E. Roberts, MD and Pearl Grimes, MD.

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Londa Schiebinger, PhD, (center), keynote speaker on “Success Has No Gender” shown with Annual Luncheon coo-chairs Maryam Asgari, MD, MPH (left) and Beth Ruben, MD.

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Gathered together for a terrific afternoon are, from left to right, back row are: Dr Sue Yin Ng, Dermatology registrar, Oxford University, Susan Detwiler MD (Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist, La Jolla, CA); Vermen Verallo Rowell MD (WDS international member dermatologist, Manila); David Judy (dermatology resident); WDS international grant recipient Liz Intong MD, Philippines (currently dermatology fellow with Dedee Murrell, MD); WDS mentorship recipient Stephanie Diamantis MD (UNC- Chapel Hill); dermatology resident Johnny Gurgen; Seated, from left: Supriya Venugopal MD (dermatology fellow, Sydney), Dedee Murrell MD (table host), Holly Paugh, MD (intern and future dermatology research fellow in Miami).

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2009-2010 WDS President Wendy E. Roberts, MD, presented the President’s pin to Suzanne Connolly, MD, thanking her for her service and dedication to WDS.

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