Strategic plan
All of the work undertaken by the American Academy of Dermatology on behalf of its members, their patients, and the public are guided by a clear vision, core values, and strategic goals. These elements are reflected in all the Academy’s programs, projects, and initiatives.
Vision
Recognized as the leading authority for the highest quality and compassionate dermatologic care.
The Academy is improving global access, innovation, and quality of dermatologist-led patient care and providing visionary leadership of the profession. Through AAD programs and resources, Academy members are advancing the frontiers of dermatologic care by embracing innovation and technological advances, overcoming accessibility barriers, optimizing data-driven improvements in care, and expanding outreach to the global community. Academy members benefit significantly from the advocacy, education, and practice management focus of the organization. The Academy continually strives to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of the profession, providing leading-edge resources for dermatologists in all practice environments and supporting diversity in the dermatology specialty. Dermatologists, patients, and members of dermatologist-led care teams recognize the Academy as the leading provider of comprehensive education on the diagnosis and treatment of skin disease.
With the support of the AAD’s efforts, our members are recognized by the public, the house of medicine, and policy-makers for their experience and expertise in providing compassionate, quality patient care. The Academy is an influential leader in advocating for the dermatology specialty, with a strategic network of AAD members that proactively and effectively influences those in power to make a difference for dermatologists and the treatment and care of our patients.
Core values
The Academy seeks to reflect the following values in all its programs and initiatives:
Patient-first
Member-centric
Lifelong learning
Visionary leadership
Professionalism
Unity
Scientifically-founded
Strategic goals
The achievement of each strategic goal will move the Academy towards the realization of our vision: Recognized as the leading authority for the highest quality and compassionate dermatologic care.
Excellence in dermatologic care through education and advocacy
Goal:
Dermatologists are leaders in providing superior and compassionate patient care.
Objectives:
Continue to influence decision-makers on the importance and value of dermatologic care and the role of dermatologists in providing high-quality patient care
Enhance innovative delivery of education for board-certified dermatologists
Enhance value and relevance of AAD educational offerings globally
Expand AAD’s influence on medical school curriculum
Enhance the well-being of dermatologists to allow for compassionate care of patients
Q/As:
Innovative learning experiences equip members to provide compassionate patient care. Read more.
Access to dermatologic care
Goal:
Patients have access to excellent dermatologic care at the right time and place.
Objectives:
Maximize responsible use of telemedicine.
Explore opportunities to expand board-certified dermatology workforce to meet demand. Foster diversity in the dermatology specialty.
Increase dermatologic services available to under-served populations.
Increase consumer understanding of the importance of care delivered by board-certified dermatologists and their teams.
Q/As:
Diversifying the specialty can result in high-quality access to dermatologic care. Read more.
Data driven transformation of care
Goal:
Patient care is continuously improved through the collection and transfer of data.
Objectives:
Increase participation in DataDerm
Improve the data quality and completeness within DataDerm
Enhance identification and communication of best practice models
Increase evidence of patient care improvements
Q&As:
Real-time patient data transforms the practice and improves care. Read more.
Unity of the specialty
Goal:
The specialty is working together as champions, influencers, and ambassadors on issues impacting all of dermatology.
Objectives:
Enhance professionalism of member-to-member interactions
Increase effectiveness of communications between groups within the specialty
Unify groups within the specialty to enhance the perception of dermatology and to communicate a unified message externally
Q&As:
Unity in dermatology starts with putting patients first. Read more.
Support for board-certified dermatologists leading care teams
Goal:
Recognizing the trend in medicine toward care teams, support the board-certified dermatologists who lead dermatology care teams in achieving effective integration of team members to provide high-quality patient care.
Objectives:
Enhance effective integration of care team members who work in dermatology practices
Expand involvement of care team members in AAD
Expand education to non-physician clinicians working in care teams led by board-certified dermatologists
Enhance skills of dermatologists to lead care teams
Q&As:
Let’s talk about leading care teams and other elephants in the room. Read more.