So long, New York!
Dermatologists from around the globe gathered in the city that never sleeps for a weekend of learning, connecting, and celebrating. Review the highlights.
The 2026 AAD Innovation Academy delivered late-breaking research, impressive innovations, enriching education, and exciting networking. More than 1,400 total attendees spanning 40 countries (an increase from last year’s meeting) were in New York City to experience one of dermatology’s finest events.
AAD President Murad Alam, MD, MSCI, MBA, FAAD, and keynote speaker Lisa Bodell officially kicked off the event on Thursday night, followed by a lively Welcome Reception in the Experience Hub. Thursday’s program also included three high-yield sessions:
- C001 – Navigating Practice Management in Dermatology: Insights and Innovations
- F001 – Future of Dermatology: Dermatology Beyond 2040
- E001 – Branding and the Business of Dermatology
On Friday, the AAD honored the career-long commitment and contributions of two esteemed dermatologists in N001 – Celebrating Excellence: A Duo of Distinguished Talks. Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD, presented “Beyond Skin Deep: The Global Skin-Bleaching Epidemic, Colorism, and the Future of Pigmentary Care,” in which he examined the problematic trend of skin lightening from inception to impendency. John J. Zone, MD, FAAD, focused on his greatest professional achievement — ongoing research of dermatitis herpetiformis — in “Gluten: A Story of Relentless Intellectual Curiosity.”
Throughout the meeting, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about timely topics across the field, including melanoma, hair disorders, cutaneous disorders, pediatric dermatology, teledermatology, AI, and more.
Next up: Join us in San Francisco next spring, March 19–23, for the 2027 AAD Annual Meeting!
