Navigating the future
President-Elect Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, says unity will advance dermatology and serve patients.
Presenting the President-Elect Address during Sunday’s session, P151 – Plenary, Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, espoused hope and success for the Academy through unity.
“Right now, there is so much disunity, polarization, and uncertainty,” Dr. Desai said. “That’s why we have to stick together, both during the good times and the tough ones. ‘As individuals, we are one drop. Together we are an ocean,’” he said, quoting the famous Japanese author, Ryunosuke Saturo.
Unifying principles
To leverage your talent and the hard work you do on behalf of your patients, Dr. Desai pledged to lead the Academy as president over the next year through the guiding principle of one simple but profound word: unity.
Dr. Desai enumerated many ways remaining united will serve the specialty well, including fighting against reimbursement cuts.
“We’ve devoted years learning how to excel in the care of our patients. Proper reimbursement is essential to maintain our ability to do so,” he said.
Unity is also necessary to advance efforts to expose insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and organizations that require insurmountable hurdles on behalf of patients only to find out that the medication is unaffordable and inaccessible for so many, especially those who can’t afford to see a dermatologist, he added. The field of dermatology is on the cusp of many new treatments and technologies for skin, hair, and nail diseases for which treatments have previously been unavailable, including vitiligo, alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, and new cancer therapies.
“We must remain united as we continue to spearhead research and innovation, and in our efforts to ensure that the Academy represents the full diversity of our nation, in our profession, in our research, and in our patient care,” Dr. Desai said.
Joining forces
Dr. Desai arrives at his presidency with an expansive background in dermatology, which includes experience working in several practice models as well as research, teaching, and participating in more than 25 Academy groups. During his lecture, he shared his family’s journey with vitiligo, which inspired his decision to specialize his clinical practice and expertise in pigmentary disorders and skin of color.
“My broad experience has allowed me to see firsthand the challenges we face in trying to deliver the best possible care for our patients,” he said.
But treatment doesn’t end with what is visible.
“We also heal wounded psyches. We restore hope and joy and wellbeing. If there is a more noble profession, I truly don’t know what it is,” Dr. Desai said. “That’s why it’s urgent that we address the challenges facing us head on to sustain and advance our specialty, which makes a difference in the lives of millions of people every day. While there may be a difficult road ahead, there is no barrier, no challenge, no obstacle we can’t surmount when we work together as a united group of this nation’s brightest and most talented physicians.”
