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WDS Committees & Task Forces Report In!
2008 Accomplishments
Academic Dermatologists Committee
Committee Chairs: Kathy Schwarzenberger, MD and Kelly Cordoro, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Held the third annual breakfast at the AAD in San Antonio attracting 75 for a panel presentation. Awarded nine grants in 2008 to residents and dermatologists with a variety of basic and clinical research topics in dermatology. Revised Academic Dermatologist Research Grant application brochure and distributed broadly attracting 27 grant applications from across the country and abroad. Began development of the Academic Derm Mentor resource section of the WDS website. Arranged to hold the first of what is hoped will become an annual luncheon event on May 7, 2009 in Montreal at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) annual conference Launched the Academic Derm ListServ to facilitate lively on-line discussions and mentoring and provided oversight of the ListServ usage with help of Ginat Mirowski, MD, moderator. Arranged a “FireSide Chat” with Dr. Toni Martin, M.D., author of "When the Personal was Political: Five Women Doctors Look Back". Dr. Martin will discuss the lessons learned among post-feminist generation of women doctors and share her insider perspective on the choices faced by women medical students and academics. Taking place: Saturday March 7, 2009, 8:00 - 9:30 PM, SF Marriott, Pacific I, 4th Floor.
Annual Meeting Luncheon
(for 2009) Committee Chairs: Maryam Asgari, MD and Beth Ruben, MD
WDS Staff: Sophia Henry
Secured a large ballroom (Yerba Buena 8 & 9) at the San Francisco Marriott that will hold 1,000 attendees so that no members and guests who wish to attend will be turned away. Confirmed Stanford researcher Londa Schiebinger, PhD, to speak at the luncheon. Topic: “Success Has No Gender.” Applied for and received $5,000 grant from Intendis to cover speaker honorarium. Engaging a new staging company, PSAV, to handle all aspects of sound, lighting, scripting, video, etc. to ensure a very high-caliber event. Developing “Salute to Service” video to show at the luncheon recognizing the 5-years of WDS service activities and those who have contributed Reserved the WDS Center for all WDS Committee meetings to take place during the AAD Winter Academy. It will be open from Friday - Sunday March 6-8, 200 at the SF Marriott, Pacific I Room, 4th Floor.
Audit Committee
Committee Chairs: Barb Mathes, MD and Stephanie Pincus, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
WDS Audit Committee Co-Chairs visited the SF office in June for an on-site review. WDS Audit Committee Co-Chairs requested the Executive Committee approve a Process Audit and it was accepted, so the Audit Committee is developing an RFP to hire a process auditor in 2009. The annual CPA-conducted audit for FY2007 was completed in December and sent to the Committee for review.
Awards Committee
Committee Chair: Adelaide Hebert, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Nominated 9 WDS members for prestigious awards that are conferred by national dermatology organizations. All were notified of their nominations and appropriate letters were sent from WDS on their behalf. Chose Ilona Frieden, MD for Rose Hirschler award and approved the recommendation of Tina Alster, MD for the Mentor of the Year award. Recorded the names of potential future award nominees for consideration in future years. Recommended Wilma Bergfeld for Master in Dermatology AAD award.
Book Project Task Force
Committee Chair: Becki Tung, MD
WDS Staff: Nancy FitzGerald
Developed and submitted a $200,000 grant proposal to create a book called: “Petals & Pearls” to be distributed in 2010. Grant funded through the WDSF, however, WDS Task Force will implement the project. Coordinated task force and contractors to develop content and design of book. Created budget and timeline which was approved by WDSF Board. Developed two versions of project launch letter distributed to all active members via email broadcast and direct mail, soliciting ideas and input.
Bylaws Committee
Committee Chair: Marcia Tonnesen, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Currently working with the Board of Directors and various committees and task forces to insure that bylaws and administrative regulations are reflective and appropriate for the WDS as it grows as an organization. Developing changes to the Administrative Regulations to be presented to the WDS Board for approval in March 2009.
Career Development Committee
Committee Chairs: Bryna Kane, MD and Mary Spellman, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Revised and updated the Career Development Award information brochure and mailed it to the WDS membership. Reviewed two candidates requesting grants and provided one candidate with the opportunity to speak directly with the committee members about her unique grant proposal. Selected two candidates to receive a Career Development Grants in 2008. Seeking additional applicants through increased promotional efforts (mailing, newsletter, derm trade media press release/Dec 2008)
Communications Committee
Committee Chair: Susan Weinkle, MD
WDS Staff: Nancy FitzGerald
Substantially reduced budget from $100,000 to $30,000 for Media Day 2009 event by introducing a new concept: “Desksides,” which will provide an innovative and economical method for reaching the media with WDS messages. Reviewed all WDS communications materials prior to publication to ensure accuracy, consistency and effectiveness Produced a national health special, entitled “America’s Ethnic Skin” which aired in ten metropolitan markets on May 24, 2008 in collaboration with NBC/Al Roker Productions/Ambi SkinCare. Submitted a nomination for the Ethnic Skin Documentary for an AAD Gold Triangle Award. Notified by AAD President Dr. Bill Hanke that WDS will receive the award on Friday, March 6, 2009 in San Francisco at the AAD Winter Academy. Developed a press release, “Skin Health: Priceless” to disseminate positive news about dermatology. This release captured the highest number of media impressions than any other single news release distributed by WDS and led to the creation of two videos on the Doctors Channel featuring Diane Berson on WDS and volunteerism. Worked with AAD Communications staff to develop joint response to Natasha Singer’s New York Times articles critical of dermatology Provided input and review on 11 Play Safe in the Sun-related news releases that cumulatively reached audiences of more than 700 million in 2008. Secured Paula Creamer as spokesperson for the Play Safe in the Sun campaign and developed ways to maximize this important relationship, including a video now posted on the www.playsafeinthesun.org website. Prepared and distributed press release to dermatology trade media: “WDS Awards Record Number of Grants in 2008 Benefiting Dermatology: $252,610 in grants awarded to 85 physicians and medical students to support growth and advance research in dermatology.”
Editorial Board
Committee Chair: Rochelle Torgerson, MD, PhD
WDS Staff: Nancy FitzGerald
Produced two issues of the WDS Newsletter (April 2008, September 2008) with December 2008/January 2009 issue completed. Developed new editorial categories containing member-interest content. Reached out to full membership with questionnaires seeking input and ideas. Seeking a name for the newsletter’s masthead. Various names are under consideration.
Ethics Committee
Committee Chair: Sandy Read, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, CAE
Created “Personal Code of Conduct” for WDS members’ participation Created a “Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form” and requested that all WDS leaders complete on-line form. Created “Guidelines for Industry Relationship” to guide WDS in its dealings with sponsors
Executive Committee
Committee Chair: Suzanne Connolly, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, CAE and Lindsay Johnson
Conducted eleven meetings (from February-November) of the Executive Committee to carry out business of the WDS between board meetings. Met with the AAD and ASDS Executive Committees on July 31 in Chicago where WDS was reported to be the “third largest society in dermatology.” The purpose of the meeting was to increase collaboration amongst the largest organizations. Arranged an AAD ILC Forum: “Emerging Topics in Ethnic Skin, Hair and Nails: Practical Pearls,” Saturday, March 7, 2009 3:00 - 5:00 PM (Chair Marie-France Demierre, MD) Continue to support the unified effort (under the AAD umbrella) to create a museum exhibit about skin to tour nationally to science museums. Elizabeth McBurney is serving as WDS representative on this effort. Submitted WDS and WDSF logo/trademark filings with US Patent Office Maintained WDS membership in good standing in the International League of Dermatologic Societies (ILDS) Submission of proposal for session(s) for the World Congress, Korea, 2011 is in progress and Task Force has been formed (chaired by Marcia Ramos e Silva) In process of evaluating new PhRMA Guidelines and seeking input from various experts. Retained an attorney, Terrell Mason, to advise WDS as necessary. Maintained WDS membership and active participation on the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention with Sandra Read continuing to represent WDS at quarterly meetings in Wash, DC. Based on Audit Committee request, approved a plan to conduct a process audit in 2009. Drafted proposal for Emerging Leaders Program to be funded by Stiefel and administered by WDS as a new benefit/service available to the membership. Anticipated that development will begin in 2009 and program will be launched in 2010.
Finance Committee
Committee Chair: Suzanne Olbricht, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, CAE
Regularly reviewing P&L statements and balance sheets to monitor WDS progress in achieving budget projections. Monitoring investments on a regular basis and have transferred some funds to higher interest bearing accounts upon the approval of the Executive Committee. Developing the 2009 operating budget for presentation to the Executive Committee and approval of the WDS Board in March 2009. Complying with all filings deadlines with the IRS and state agencies as required.
Fundraising Committee
Committee Chairs: Amy Derick, MD and Diane Berson, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Securing annual sponsorship funds of $850,000. This represents 80% of WDS’ overall budget. Sought increased exposure from the Derm Foundation for WDS’ role in the Career Development Award on Women’s Health Issues which is administered through the Dermatology Foundation, due to a $55K annual grant from Unilever that comes through WDS. WDS is actively promoting the grant opportunity to WDS members though the newsletter with a story about the previous recipient which was also posted on the WDS website. Revised and updated the Sponsorship information brochure and mailed it to current and new potential sponsors.
Historical Task Force
Committee Chair: Wilma Bergfeld, MD WDS Staff: Sophia Henry
Archiving WDS’ historical records, photos, and important documents at WDS Headquarters in San Francisco and on WDS website. Met with Gloria Graham to discuss her historical account of women in dermatology and developed.
International Affairs Committee
Committee Chair: Sandy Read, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
1. Participated in EuWDS luncheon at the EADV in Paris. Suzanne Connolly was a luncheon speaker. Several WDS members also participated in a tour of the L’Oreal R&D facility and a talk was given by Wilma Bergfeld.
2. Awarded six travel grants to dermatologists from Brazil, Philippines, Serbia, Belarus, and Mexico to attend the AAD Winter Academy in San Francisco.
3. Currently determining WDS activities that will take place in Prague (May 21, 2009) for the International Congress of Dermatology being coordinated by Jean Bolognia, MD, Amy Paller, MD, and Rashmi Sarkar, MD
4. Currently determining WDS activities that will take place in Berlin at the EADV, October 7, 2009 for the “Rose Parade of WDS Cases” chaired by Suzanne Olbricht, MD
5. Task Force has been assigned to begin planning WDS activities to happen in Korea at the World Congress of Dermatology (May 24-29, 2011). Program submission deadline is December 31.
Long-Range Planning Committee
Committee Chair: Wendy Roberts, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, CAE and Nancy FitzGerald
1. Met to review all future activities and initiate program development. Many of the proposed activities considered by this committee, which met in October, are now being implemented by various WDS committees.
Medical Student Awareness Committee
Committee Chair: Lorraine Young, MD and James Taylor, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Revised and updated the Medical Student Awareness Award information brochure and distributed across the country. Awarded 11 grants last year to medical students nationwide and Canada. Currently accepting 2009 applications with the deadline to be at the end of December. Grant is being promoted through WDS website, newsletter and school mailings.
Membership Committee
Committee Chair: Julie Hodge, MD
WDS Staff: Sophia Henry
Produced a printed 2008 WDS Membership Directory and mailed it to over 1,500 members in April 2008. Maintain on-line directory on WDS members-only website. Reviewed and recommended to the Board 218 new member applications in February and August 2008. WDS has grown to have 1,600 members, the highest number ever in its history. Recorded the highest renewal rate in WDS history, exceeding budget projections by 129% by September 2008. Contacted members in the three states where there are no WDS members with the goal of attaining members in all 50 states by year-end. For all networking events, contacted non-members in that region and invited them to attend a WDS event in their region. Redesigned membership brochure and application form, enhanced on-line application forms for all categories of membership.
Member Renewal Retreat Task Force (for 2008)
Task Force Chair: Marie-France Demierre, MD
WDS Staff: Lindsay Johnson
1. Designed a 3-day Retreat for WDS members to re-energize their mind, body and soul in Charleston, South Carolina.
2. Organized speakers, daily activities including morning yoga, a historic city tour, comedy night with the Have Nots!,and a line-up of meals complete with paired wines.
3. Paired attending members and planned a “Novel” partnering welcome dinner to encourage networking.
4. Awarded 22 Resident Members with scholarships to attend the Renewal Retreat.
5. Surveyed all attendees using on-line survey mechanism. 100% of those who responded were satisfied with the retreat and 86% said they learned something new.
Member Renewal Retreat Task Force (for 2010)
Task Force Chair: Kathy Hectorne, MD
WDS Staff: Lindsay Johnson
1. Sent out a “Request for Proposal” for the 2010 Member Renewal Retreat to be held in Seattle, WA in June 2010. Evaluated 15 potential properties and numerous event options. Visited Seattle to inspect possible sites for the 2010 retreat and organized a dinner of Seattle WDS members to solicit involvement and input. Produced a proposal for the Executive Committee to make a decision on the appropriate location for the Retreat.
Mentorship Committee
Committee Chair: Sarah Weitzul, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Revised the Mentorship Award Program application brochure and distributed broadly. Awarded 34 grants in 2008 and currently evaluating 51 applications of candidates for 2009 mentorship awards. Conducting on-line IRB approved Mentorship Experience Survey with the results to be used in an article to be submitted to peer reviewed journal. Arranging a WDS Networking Reception "Sweet 16 Party: A WDS Mentorship Reunion", Friday, March 6, 2009, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, SF Marriott, Golden Gate B Room Recommended Tina Alster, MD to the Awards Committee for the 2009 Mentor of the Year Award. Co-sponsoring the AAD "Sharing Mentoring Experiences" Breakfast on Friday, March 6, 2009, 7:30 – 9:00AM, SF Marriott, Salon 12
Merchandising Task Force
Chair: Lenore Kakita, MD
WDS Staff: Sophia Henry
Created on-line order form for WDS merchandise (scarves, hats, etc) Submitted CA sales tax permit application and began processing sales tax for merchandise.
Networking Committee
Committee Chair: Alysa Herman, MD
WDS Staff: Lindsay Johnson
In response to the Board’s request to increase the frequency of networking events, committee approved and carried out 12 networking functions in 2008. These included events held abroad, at members’ homes, at other organizations’ meetings, and the WDS networking events held at AAD meetings. 2 of the 12 events were Networking Luncheons, which have the potential for becoming annual events. Reviewed and approved all applications for networking receptions to ensure procedures and requirements were met. Proposed a plan to regionalize networking events for more consistency and to assign regional directors to oversee these activities. Committee is considering other ways to enhance networking activities regionally.
Nominating Committee
Committee Chair: Barbara Mathes, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho
Selected and confirmed nominees to fill officer and board member vacancies on the WDS Board. Received approval of the Board to send the slate to the membership. Archived names of future candidates for WDS Board and Committee appointments. Selected and confirmed nominees to send to the AAD Nominating Committee for AAD positions. Archived names of future candidates for AAD nomination.
Past Presidents’ Advisory Committee
Committee Chair: Elizabeth McBurney, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, CAE
1. Provided several recommendations that are being implemented by other committees: mentorship survey, networking event at ADA in Ashville, NC, and mentor reunion in San Francisco during the AAD Winter meeting.
Website Committee
Committee Chair: Dan Siegel, MD
WDS Staff: Julie Ho and Nancy FitzGerald
Kept the site relevant and vibrant by updating it with constantly changing information on events, news, literature reviews, press releases, videos, etc leading to record levels of traffic Provided ideas for further improving functionality and appearance of the website to meet WDS growth and changing needs for the website. Evaluation of possible website graphic artists is underway. Enhanced www.playsafeinthesun.org, and developed www.womensderm.org/ethnicskin
Service Committee
Committee Chairs: Michel McDonald, MD and Adrienne Stewart, MD
WDS Staff: Lindsay Johnson and Nancy FitzGerald
Wrapped-up the “Families Play Safe in the Sun” campaign with Coast-to-Coast, which provided 42 WDS members with the tools to design an outreach event in their own community. Developed and submitted final summary report on the Families Play Safe in the Sun campaign that was presented to 3M Foundation. Launched the new “Play Safe in the Sun” campaign, supported by L’Oreal USA Recruited volunteers for five successful outreach events involving 56 members representing 400 hours of volunteer service. Created new sun safety tips for golfers and tennis players. Designed UV-detector cards as a giveaway for those that participate in the screenings. Developed new Melanoma Myth handout for booths. Developed an iRB approved sun damage assessment study conducted at Play Safe in the Sun events with results to be submitted as an article for consideration in peer-reviewed journal. Created a Sun-safety kit for LPGA Tour golfers and members of the media. Enhanced awareness of member volunteers of facts regarding Vitamin D.
Women Dermatologic Surgeons Committee
Committee Chairs: Suzanne Olbricht, MD and Roberta Sengelmann, MD
WDS Staff: Lindsay Johnson
Launched an electronic ListServ for WDS and ASDS members and provided oversight of the ListServ handled in conjunction with Lucie White, MD as moderator. Hosted tremendously successful luncheons at the ASDS/ACMMSCO meetings Continued to promote networking and leadership among women derm surgeons. Developed a proposal for Travel Grants to allow residents and young physicians the opportunity to attend national scientific meetings, however, due to PhRMA guidelines changes, this program has been held back for further review of compliance issues.
WDS Foundation Board
President: Lenore Kakita, MD
WDS Staff: Kerry Parker, Lindsay Johnson, Nancy FitzGerald
Provided financial oversight to new $1,050,000 L’Oreal Grant and $280,000 J&J Grant. Solicited private funding for Foundation with the idea of “Celebrating Life Through Tributes.” Promoted the WDS Foundation in the newsletter, on the website. Created a Strategic Planning Task Force. Developing new ideas for raising money creatively for the Endowment Fund through Strategic Planning Task Force. Developed a more coordinated relationship with the WDS Board and Executive Committee. An algorithm of handling new projects was developed with the intent of coordinating oversight and development of these between the WDS and WDSF. |
