WDS President's Message February 2003 | News & Information of the Women's Dermatologic Society

This is an exciting time of the year when we reflect on the activities of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. The greatest joy is to be able to interact with such energetic WDS members with wonderful ideas. It always amazes me that with the limited face-to-face contact, the WDS is able to accomplish so much. I appreciate and thank all the members who have made this year so special. We are fortunate to have an organization that allows members from different backgrounds to work together. We have members in academia, private practice, managed care organizations, the military and in industry, to name a few, that work to provide the members with more benefits. Moreover, our Society is not only for women, it also includes a number of men who are active at all levels of our organization. Our Editor, Dr. Sandra Read, has included a special article on men of WDS in this issue.

Committees and Task Forces allow the activities of WDS to come to fruition. I am proud of the members of the various WDS committees who have been very busy on your behalf. We will be encouraging an expansion of the membership this year. We have been working to facilitate this endeavor. The Membership Committee, with Dr. Erin Warshaw as Chair, has developed a new membership brochure to describe our activities. Please note the WDS Membership advertisement on the back page of Dermatology World. Dr. Wendy Roberts and her Career Development Committee have also developed a new brochure to educate our members to the Career Development Awards that is a benefit for those who have been members for at least three years. Dr. Hilary Baldwin and Dr. Barbara Mathes of the Networking Committee have developed the format for requesting support for ‘Local Networking Receptions.’ The grassroots groups in your local cities will have some of the most enjoyable get-togethers. We hope that this format will help our membership drive, as well as allowing a wonderful venue for member networking.

We have focused on reaching out to each other. We are happy to initiate the Women Dermatologic Surgeon’s Task Force, under the leadership of Dr. Roberta Senglemann and Dr. Sarah Weitzul. Initially, the efforts will focus on membership and special issues facing women as dermatologic surgeons.

We have enjoyed our first International Women’s Dermatologic Retreat in Paris. Dermatologists from around the world participated. It was a melding experience. This year our International Travel Awards will assist the support of three young dermatologists from three different areas of the world. We will be welcoming Dr. Maria Cristina Ribeiro de Castro from Brazil, Dr. Carmela Veronica Reyes from the Philippines, and Dr. Natasha Cook from Australia who were selected by the International Committee, chaired by Dr. Boni Elewski.

Dr. Joyce Rico, as Chair of the Mentorship Committee, has worked hard with her committee members to choose the final Mentorship Awardees. This program continues to be a major highlight in our endeavors to work with the young dermatologists. Many Residents and Young Physicians have a unique opportunity to be mentored by some of the Society’s best dermatologists. Without the willing Mentors, this program would not be as successful. We thank all those WDS members who participate. Moreover, we thank Dermik, our sponsor, for allowing this to happen.

Our Annual Luncheon Meeting is around the corner. It will be held in the San Francisco Marriott Hotel on Sunday, March 23, 2003, at noon. We hope that you sign up for this event and join us in networking and honoring our colleagues. The Rose Hirschler Award will be given to Dr. Elizabeth McBurney who has been a leader in dermatology and in laser surgery. Our speaker will be the well known San Francisco media commentator, Jan Wahl. The Co-Chairs of the Annual Luncheon Meeting, Dr. Mary Lupo and Dr. Richard Odom, have put together a memorable event.

In early summer, June 20-22, 2003, the WDS will have its member Retreat in Toronto, Canada. Under the guidance of Dr. Suzanne Olbricht and her Task Force, this event will provide the chance to meet leaders and members on a personal basis. The Retreats are some of the best interactions among dermatologists that help to cement the relationships throughout our careers. I guess that ‘letting your hair down’ and showing ‘genuine you’ happens a lot at these Retreats. From yoga sessions to educational topics on women in the work place, on balancing work and personal life, and on how to handle difficult patients and communicating with staff will be discussed. Mark these dates on your calendar and join us at The Old Mill Inn in Toronto.

As with other dermatologic organizations, we would not be able to provide educational opportunities and other services for our members without the support of our industry partners. Dr. Patricia Farris and Dr. Susan Weinkle, the Co-Chairs of the Fundraising Committee, have been busy. We want to thank all the supporters of the WDS.

In projecting to the future, the WDS will be setting up an Endowment Fund. Dr. Janet Hickman is currently working out the details of this project that will allow a tax benefit for those that independently contribute to the WDS. I thank Dr. Hickman for doing such an excellent job.

There are changes to the WDS Bylaws in this Newsletter. Please review them since the proposed changes will be voted on at the Annual Luncheon Meeting. Dr. Elise Olsen is Chair of this committee and is commended along with her committee members, for clarifying important procedural issues.

Have you noticed the impressive newsletters this year? They get better and better and cover a variety of topics that are of interest to women dermatologists and others. We all need to thank Dr. Sandra Read who has provided direction and content creation for these publications. Her Editorial Committee members are superb and productive. We will be handing the baton to Dr. Kathryn Schwartzenberger who will be the new Editor.

Along with the newsletter, our website, www.womensderm.org, is becoming an important vehicle to reach our members. We are gradually improving the website with the ability to apply for membership, to apply for Career Development Awards, and to request support for a local networking reception. Dr. Julie Harper is the Chair of this Website Committee. We have decided to have a ‘members only’ section. In this area, watch for the new Website Literature area, that will allow all of us to submit suggestions for excellent books, journals, or news articles that would be of help to any dermatologist, but especially women dermatologists. Dr. Elizabeth McBurney is heading up this permanent literature area of the website. The WDS Website will allow us to improve communications with our international members.

It pleases me to see the strength of the WDS progressing at such a rapid rate. The energy and devotion of your leaders are outstanding. I am most appreciative of my Executive Committee members who have endured multiple conference calls. Without these dedicated members, WDS would not be as successful. I thank all members of the committees and task forces that are the mainstay of the WDS.

I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Luncheon! Respectfully, Lenore S. Kakita, M.D. WDS President

Respectfully,

Lenore S. Kakita, M.D.
WDS President

Current Message from Our President HERE

Past Messages from Our President: