Dermatologists mean business
Learn how to make the most of education and experience to care for your patients.
P004 – Innovation in Business and Leadership in Dermatology
10 a.m.–noon | Friday, July 11
Grand Ballroom B
One upcoming Innovation Academy session reminds us that the business of dermatology is patients. Therefore, anything physicians can do to improve themselves and their practices should be centered on the end goal of improving care.
Keyvan Nouri, MD, MBA, FAAD, is the session director of P004 – Innovation in Business and Leadership in Dermatology. With a rich résumé of medical and business education and experience, Dr. Nouri possesses a combined expertise that is well worth the investment, he said.
Dr. Nouri is the Louis C. Skinner Jr., MD, Endowed Chair of Dermatology, Richard Helfman Professor of Dermatologic Surgery, and director of Mohs, dermatologic, and laser surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida. In addition to his medical training and tenure, he has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Leadership program and the University of Miami Herbert Business School Global Executive MBA program.
The biggest advantage of being proficient in business as well as medicine, Dr. Nouri said, is realizing that it’s the basis of providing better patient care.
“Business, in general, involves many aspects: innovation, branding, marketing, and, most importantly, customer satisfaction,” he said. “Physicians learn a lot about pathophysiology, diseases, and treatments in medical school, but we don’t truly understand what it means to take care of patients day in and day out.”
In this session, a panel of speakers will address innovative business insights that apply across the field of dermatology, including:
- Medical dermatology — Suzanne McGoey, MD, MSPH, FAAD
- Surgical dermatology — Martha Laurin Council, MD, MBA, FAAD
- Pediatric dermatology — Fernanda Bellodi Schmidt, MD
- Dermatopathology — Tammie C. Ferringer, MD, FAAD
- Dermatology department/organization — Amy J. McMichael, MD, FAAD
- Teledermatology — George Han, MD, PhD, FAAD
A big part of the conversation will also include how to leverage artificial, or augmented, intelligence (AI) into everyday practice. Dr. Nouri said benefits of AI and machine learning range from improved diagnostic recognition, which can help physicians identify skin ailments, patterns, and pathologies, to enhanced surgical imaging devices, which may help with more accurate margin control. AI has already shown to be useful in developing immunotherapy and targeted treatments, he said.
“Technology is going to continue to improve, whether we like it or not, so it’s important for us to be at the table and make sure we give ‘the machine’ accurate information and exposure, which requires experts,” said Dr. Nouri. “I predict that in the near future, patients are going to expect us to use AI in dermatology. It won’t replace dermatologists’ jobs but improve our ability and performance. Based on the information it provides, we will always use it and our own knowledge to make final diagnoses.”
Marta J. Van Beek, MD, MPH, FAAD, will conclude the session by sharing business resources and innovative leadership opportunities. Dr. Nouri, who was inducted as the new AAD/A secretary-treasurer at the March Annual Meeting, said the two primary paths of participation within AAD are applying to join a committee, council, or task force or advocating for the organization and specialty.
Dr. Nouri said he hopes the session helps meeting attendees better understand how to improve patient care and delivery. Much like flight attendants tell individuals they must put their oxygen mask on first, he said dermatologists should fully prepare themselves in order to provide the best possible care.
“By understanding business and leadership, you become a better form of yourself to take better care of your patients and run a better practice,” said Dr. Nouri.
