ROSEMONT, Ill. (April 18, 2022) — The American Academy of Dermatology has announced the results of its annual election. The Academy’s new officers and board members will lead the world’s largest dermatologic society, representing more than 20,500 physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of skin, hair, and nail conditions. These officers and board members, all of whom are board-certified dermatologists, will also hold the same position for the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a sister organization to the AAD that focuses on government affairs, health policy, and practice information.
Officers
Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, will be installed as president-elect in March 2023 and hold the office of president for one year beginning in March 2024. Dr. Desai pursued his undergraduate studies at Emory University, earned his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia and completed his dermatology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he served as chief resident. He is the founder of Innovative Dermatology, a large private practice, and serves as clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Desai is an expert in dermatologic disease in skin of color, with a focus on pigmentary disorders. He was previously elected to the AAD’s Board of Directors, serving from 2018 to 2022. He also served as chair of the AAD’s Leadership Development Steering Committee. In addition, Dr. Desai was appointed to the United States Food and Drug Administration, where he currently serves on the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee.
Cyndi J. Yag-Howard, MD, FAAD, will be installed as vice president-elect in March 2023 and hold the office of vice president for one year beginning in March 2024. She is affiliate clinical professor at the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree and served as chief resident. Currently a member on the Academy’s Board of Directors, Dr. Yag-Howard sits on the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) Editorial Board and serves as a member of the AADA’s Council on Government Affairs and Health Policy. She also served as vice president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and is the current president of the Florida Academy of Dermatology*, formerly known as the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.
Board members
Bruce A. Brod, MD, MHCI, FAAD; Brett R. Moody, MD, FAAD; Todd Schlesinger, MD, FAAD; and Allison T. Vidimos, MD, RPh, FAAD, were elected to the Academy’s Board of Directors. They will each serve a four-year term beginning in March 2023. Neal Bhatia, MD, FAAD, was elected to serve as Nominating Committee Member Representative effective immediately.
Bruce A. Brod, MD, MHCI, FAAD, is clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. He currently serves as chair of the AADA’s Council on Government Affairs and Health Policy. He previously served as president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Philadelphia Dermatological Society, and American Contact Dermatitis Society.
Brent Moody, MD, FAAD, is in private practice in Nashville, Tennessee. He recently served the Academy as chair of the AADA Patient Access and Payer Relations Committee. Dr. Moody was chairman of the Tennessee Dermatology Society and currently serves the Tennessee Medical Association as treasurer of the organization’s political action committee. In addition, Dr. Moody has published over 30 dermatology peer-reviewed publications and led more than 20 dermatology presentations.
Todd Schlesinger, MD, FAAD, is Founder and Director of the Dermatology & Laser Center of Charleston and the Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas. Dr. Schlesinger has academic appointments as affiliate assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine where he also serves as clinical preceptor at the university’s college of health professions. In addition, Dr. Schlesinger is clinical instructor at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of the AAD’s Dialogues in Dermatology podcast, Dr. Schlesinger is also a member of the Academy’s Corporate Relations Committee. Dr. Schlesinger previously served as president of the South Carolina Medical Association.
Allison T. Vidimos, MD, RPh, FAAD, is chairman of the department of dermatology at Cleveland Clinic and professor of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University. She served on the JAAD Editorial Board and as chair of the AAD’s Scientific Assembly Committee. In addition, Dr. Vidimos is president-elect of the Ohio Dermatological Association and previously served as president of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
Nominating Committee Member Representative
Neal Bhatia, MD, FAAD, is the director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego, and serves as chief medical editor of Practical Dermatology. He previously served as vice president of the AAD and as a member of its Board of Directors. Dr. Bhatia currently serves as secretary-treasurer of the Noah Worcester Dermatological Society.
* The Florida Academy of Dermatology is not affiliated with the AAD.
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Contact:
Matthew Walsh, (847) 240-1744, mwalsh@aad.org
For a headshot of Dr. Desai, email mediarelations@aad.org
About the AAD
Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,500 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair, and nails. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org. Follow the AAD on Facebook (American Academy of Dermatology), Twitter (@AADskin), Instagram (@AADskin1), or YouTube (AcademyofDermatology).
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