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The energy and elegance of the WDS Luncheon in Washington, DC is a powerful memory that lingers within us. Who can forget the imagery of the stunning up lit roses on the walls? The breath-taking sparkle of the grand chandelier down the center of the room still twinkles in my mind. The gathering of nearly 700 luncheon attendees was another milestone for the WDS, our largest attendance yet. Equally exciting was the celebration of our 1,000+ members. The warm memories of the gathering of our friends, families, and colleagues have sustained me during the coldest days of our Washington winter. I am deeply honored to be your WDS President for the next year. These memories serve to energize and inspire us towards the future of the WDS. Building upon the past successes of the WDS and my predecessors allow for tremendous opportunities for growth of the WDS.
One of my main goals for this year is to continue to provide an organization that nurtures the professional growth and development of our membership. This is the essence of the WDS Vision and Mission Statement.
The WDS has fulfilled a need in my life, and I want to make sure that it is there for you and for our colleagues throughout dermatology. Let me tell you why I was drawn to the WDS. Years ago, the big impersonal world of organized medicine and even the professional meetings were, for me, more a chore than a choice, more duty than pleasure. I felt like I wasn't getting the most out of the Academy meetings. And frankly, ordering room service for one left something to be desired. I wanted to participate in Academy life.
I decided to attack the problem by getting more involved and active, and I was fortunate that the WDS was there. I saw an energetic association of brilliant and committed women and men. The role models that I saw, the mentoring activity, the opportunities that the WDS offered for involvement were irresistible. I knew I wanted to be part of this group.
I approached a friend and asked about getting connected and involved with the WDS. From membership developed the opportunity to serve on the WDS Board, Chair the Members Retreat, and be the Editor of the Newsletter. With each opportunity for participation and commitment within the WDS there developed deeper enjoyment and satisfaction with my professional career and growth.
Wherever you are in your professional life, advanced or starting, fulfilled or searching, we're going to help you grow. How can the WDS help you grow?
- By doing what women do naturally. We nurture, hence our Mentorship Program.
The seed that comes from nurturing has blossomed into our successful mentoring. The WDS mentoring scope now encompasses professionals from medical school, to residency, and into mid-career. Our mentorship program has awarded over 200 recipients with a total of $450,000. It was recognized by the AAD, for which we received the Academy’s “Excellence in Education” award in 2001. However, mentoring is not only about scholarship money, it is also about personal relationships.
For many of us, mentors have been key to our careers. Within the WDS, you will find mentors throughout your professional career. At all stages in life it is helpful to know that others have passed this way before you and that others will follow you.
You don't have to do this alone. Mentoring is what we do best, because it suits us best.
- How else can we help you grow? We offer Networking Opportunities, which are unique within our larger umbrella organization.
The smaller and more intimate nature of the WDS allows for easier associations and contacts with colleagues. The chance for meaningful contacts, united by a common vision and mission is a powerful and rare opportunity. Associations, fellowships, and friendships that grow within the WDS are life-long. For women, networking is one of our favorite activities. It sustains us. And on a personal note, yes, you can even find a dinner companion during the AAD meeting. I now never eat alone.
We already do Mentoring and Networking very well, and we will continue to improve on those successes. Where else will we improve this year? We will continue the momentum of our membership campaign, “1,000 Roses and Blooming”. And we've only just begun. We will continue to develop our international membership as well.
We will continue our leadership development efforts. We have a talent bank that we filling with potential new leaders. It has been heartwarming in the past month to meet so many talented and bright women in dermatology who want to participate more actively in the WDS. My personal story highlights how you can get more involved, just ask. I have placed many new members on committees. Let us know if you wish to come on board. Why not join the WDS Members Retreat in Toronto from June 18-20, 2004? Come and learn more about us. Let us learn more about you.
And that's what we are going to do this year. We're going to keep doing the same good things we've been doing and we're going to keep doing more and better. We will serve the goals and membership of this great group, the AAD and dermatology, and we will serve the dermatological health needs of our patients.
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Sandra J. Read, MD
WDS President
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| Current Message from Our President HERE |
Past Messages from Our President:
- FEBRUARY 2008 (Mary Lupo, MD)
- NOVEMBER 2008 (Mary Lupo, MD)
- MAY 2007 (Mary Lupo, MD)
- DECEMBER/JANUARY 2007 (Elizabeth McBurney, MD)
- OCTOBER 2006 (Elizabeth McBurney, MD)
- MAY 2006 (Elizabeth McBurney, MD)
- JANUARY 2006 (Jean Bolognia, MD)
- NOVEMBER 2005 (Jean Bolognia, MD)
- JULY 2005 (Jean Bolognia, MD)
- APRIL 2005 (Jean Bolognia, MD)
- DECEMBER/JANUARY 2005 (Sandra J. Read, MD)
- SEPTEMBER 2004 (Sandra J. Read, MD)
- APRIL 2004 (Sandra J. Read, MD)
- DECEMBER/JANUARY 2004 (Marianne Nelson O'Donoghue, MD)
- APRIL 2003 (Marianne Nelson O'Donoghue, MD)
- FEBRUARY 2003 (Lenore S. Kakita, MD)
- SEPTEMBER 2002 (Lenore S. Kakita, MD)
- MAY 2002 (Lenore S. Kakita, MD)
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