AAD’s DEI Statement of Intent

The AAD Board of Directors approved the AAD’s DEI statement of intent, found below, on March 28, 2022.

The American Academy of Dermatology recognizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as a pathway to excellence in delivering dermatologic care. The Academy believes in creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all its members have opportunities that enable them to succeed and thrive and is dedicated to ensuring quality medical care for all our patients regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. In order to do both, the Academy has committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the dermatology specialty as a priority.

Diversity is recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology as encompassing a wide range of social identity groups including age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability level, as well as dermatology practice setting and location. The AAD acknowledges, respects, and values the differences of our members, the patients they serve, and greater community, and strives to be inclusive of people, ideas, and practice styles with a willingness to listen to all points of view.

Equity commits to the fair treatment and access to opportunity for all Academy members, staff, and patients, while at the same time endeavoring to identify and remove barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups.

Inclusion fosters belonging, respect, cultural humility, and value for all and encourages engagement and connection throughout for the benefit of the physician community, and its patients as the intentional practice of bringing together different perspectives. This is achieved by nurturing the climate and culture of institutions through professional development, lifelong learning, fostering difficult conversations, education, policy, and practice to strengthen the overall excellence of our specialty.