Invest now, pay it forward
Themes from across the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting included collaboration, empowerment, and dedication — to oneself, one’s patients, the specialty, and global health.
The 2026 AAD Annual Meeting was another huge success for dermatologists, the specialty, and medicine at-large! Attendees joined in more than 275 education sessions, discovered emerging products across the industry, and engaged in practice-changing interactive demonstrations.
More than 20,000 total registrants attended the meeting, of which almost half were medical professionals (physicians, residents, fellows, and students).
At the Opening Ceremony, the AAD honored Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD, as this year’s Gold Medal recipient for the impact he’s made on the field of dermatology. Additionally, outgoing president Susan C. Taylor, MD, FAAD, shared a lively discourse with keynote speaker John Legend.
Plenary powerhouse
This year’s Plenary lineup featured four phenomenal presenters. For those who may have missed the session, we encourage you to revisit highlights from each lecture to learn about groundbreaking research and get a healthy dose of encouragement and inspiration.
John Kenney Jr., MD, Lifetime Achievement Award and Lectureship
Iltefat H. Hamzavi, MD, FAAD, “Running to the Pain: Dermatology Offers Hope and Results”
Lila and Murray Gruber Memorial Cancer Research Award and Lectureship
Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, FAAD, “How Science Is Delivering Less Toxic, More Effective Merkel Cell Carcinoma Management”
Marion B. Sulzberger, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship
Johann E. Gudjonsson, MD, PhD, FAAD, “Anatomic Niches and Immune Convergence: Rethinking Skin Inflammation”
Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Award and Lectureship
Robert T. Brodell, MD, FAAD, “Improving Rural Access to Care: Consider the Options”
Resident events
The Annual Meeting had engaging learning opportunities for all attendees, especially residents, fellows, and students, who were invited to participate in special sessions like Conquer the Boards, Boards Blitz, and Beyond the Boards. On Saturday, March 28, five researchers received the esteemed Fox Award during the Residents and Fellows Symposium, and new champs scored this year’s Resident Jeopardy trophy.
Exhibit Hall and AAD Resource Center
The exhibit floor saw lots of activity, with more than 350 exhibiting companies across three days. Attendees branched out, tested products, and viewed product theater sessions. The AAD Resource Center was bustling — hosting fun and informative events, like Seize the DataDermTM and Your Dermatologist Knows, and providing valuable resources, like AAD Career Compass and the AAD Clinical Image Collection.
We also saw lots of lights, camera, action at the complimentary Headshot Lounge as well as plenty of playful banter and sweet snuggles at the Canine Cuddle Zone. Thank you again to Lifeline Puppy Rescue out of Brighton, Colorado, and we hope at least one person got to adopt a new furry friend!
Socially sensational
Thank you to everyone who participated in the popular @AADmember giveaways, which featured daily opportunities to win items for the AAD Signature Collection apparel line. Each day, we posed a new question to meeting attendees, who shared their answers on Instagram or LinkedIn to be entered into the giveaway. We randomly selected one winner from each post.
Friday: “What is your favorite part about the AAD Annual Meeting?”
Winner: Nabeel Ahmad, MD, MSEd, @thedivingdermdocSaturday: “What clinical pearl from #AAD2026 should every dermatologist know?”
Winner: Mallory Suhling, DO, @followyourskintuitionSunday: “What has been your favorite #AAD2026 session so far?”
Winner: Sara Saldarriaga, MD, @dermbeyondskinMonday: “Tag everyone you met at the #AAD2026 Annual Meeting!”
Winner: Tory Starzyk, DO, @torystarz
Now and next
Registration is open for this summer’s 2026 AAD Innovation Academy, which will take place July 16-19, in New York City. Next year, AAD will head west to San Francisco for the 2027 AAD Annual Meeting, March 19-23.
And there’s so much more! Catch up on what you missed at DermWorld Meeting News Central — read exclusive session coverage, view the entire Annual Meeting photo gallery, and order free product samples.
