American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS)

Fall 2019

Message from
the President

Dear Members of the American
Contact Dermatitis Society,

As we come into the fall season, with colorful, vibrant leaves and comfortable temperatures, I see parallels with our society. We are changing and growing. Our members are contributing to our society in amazingly positive ways, and making beautiful progress. And there is so much to look forward to!

Our Contact Allergen Management Program (CAMP) update is in full swing. We have a large, enthusiastic team who has helped us get to where we are and I am so thankful for them. Kudos to our CAMP re-design task force members, CAMP Council Chairs Drs. Jenny Murase and Sara Hylwa, CAMP transition team members Drs. Jiade (Jeff) Yu and Margo Reeder, and everyone who has helped with our CAMP transformation process.

I have some exciting news to share! Dr. Margo Reeder has agreed to take on the role as our new CAMP Director. Dr. Reeder has an exciting vision for CAMP and is sure to not only manage CAMP with the same excellence that you are accustomed to, but will also add her own mark of distinction.

Continuing on the theme of change, I would like to make you aware of several fantastic opportunities to become more involved with the Society. We are now accepting applications for our next Dermatitis Journal Editor-in-Chief, the 2020-2023 ACDS Board of Directors and our 2020 ACDS Committees. More information can be found in this newsletter.

Finally, please take a moment to visit us, follow us and like us (and our Journal, Dermatitis) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We are working to build our social media presence, and we would really love your support!

Yours in Patch Testing,

Inside this Issue


Board of Director Nominations

Nominate a Future Leader!

The ACDS Board of Directors is the fiduciary body, responsible for governance of the ACDS and stewardship of its assets. It is empowered to act on behalf of the membership within the framework of the organization's bylaws and is legally, ethically, and morally responsible for performing its functions.

The ACDS is currently accepting nominations for three Board of Director positions. Each of these positions will serve for a three year term which will become effective following the ACDS 31st Annual Meeting on March 19, 2020; in Denver, CO.

ACDS Board of Director Elections Timeline

Nomination Deadline: 11:59pm CST on Friday, October 4, 2019
Voting Period November 1, 2019 - December 16, 2019
Effective Period March 20, 2020 - March 9, 2023

Who is Eligible to Serve?

Any Fellow member of the American Contact Dermatitis Society is eligible to serve on the ACDS Board of Directors. A nominating committee will evaluate candidates on the basis of professional, scholarly and administrative skills, and geographic representation, as well as activeness within the society including committee work and regular attendance at society meetings.

Submit a Nomination

All ACDS members are encouraged to nominate a fellow member of the Society for election to the Board of Directors. Self nominations are allowed and encouraged!

Click here to find out more information or to submit a nomination!

Please contact info@contactderm.org or call (414) 918-9805 with any questions.

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2020 Membership is Now Open

Thank you for your past support of the ACDS. Our membership has never been higher with more than 1,800 members who share your interest in allergic contact dermatitis. We are now accepting membership renewals for the 2020 membership year. Get ahead by checking it off your list before the new year. Spread the word to your close colleagues to join or renew today.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Physicians located outside of North, South and Central America can now be an ACDS member for a little bit less. Customize your membership today and pay for only what you need. Find out more information today!

Attention Residents - Did You Know Your Membership is FREE?

ACDS offers FREE membership to any resident or fellow who is currently in good standing at an approved dermatology, allergy, or occupational medicine training program in North, Central or South America. Join online today and get free access to the ACDS Contact Allergen Management Program (CAMP) and an online subscription to the official Journal of the ACDS, Dermatitis.

Program Directors – Activate Membership for your Program Today

Sign up all your residents for ACDS membership in one easy step. Submit an Excel list of resident information to info@contactderm.org to include: name, address, phone, email, designation (MD or DO) and year of completion along with a letter of endorsement verifying eligibility. Click here to view a sample list.

E-Resident memberships are valid from date of joining thru their anticipated graduation date. Upon activation, each resident member will have individual access to ACDS member benefits. Please contact info@contactderm.org or call (414) 918-9805 with any questions.

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Registration Now Open for Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at The Grand Hyatt Denver in Denver, CO.
Follow #ACDS20 for the latest updates.

Renew your ACDS membership to be eligible for the reduced membership rate!

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Call for Abstract Submissions!

ACDS is now accepting Abstract Submissions for the ACDS 31st Annual Meeting. Please visit our website for abstract guidelines and structure.

Deadline for abstract submission is January 3, 2020.

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Get Involved in ACDS - Join a Committee!

We would like to express our utmost gratitude to you for your past and future support of ACDS.

ACDS is currently recruiting committee members for the 2020 year. ACDS committees play a significant role in the continued growth and success of ACDS. In addition, each committee provides a unique perspective and approach to ensuring ACDS’s mission and vision is the core factor behind all initiatives and programs.

Please review the list of ACDS committees below. All committees have a three year term commitment and meet virtually by conference call several times a year. Committee terms will begin in March, 2020, following the ACDS Annual Meeting.

ACDS Committees - Join Today

  • Annual Meeting Planning Committee
  • Bylaws/Administrative Regulations Committee
  • CAMP Committee
  • Clinical Research Award Committee
  • Dermatitis Allergen of the Year Committee
  • Editorial/Publications and Article of the Year (ArOY) Committee
  • Education Committee
  • Finance, Audit and Investment Committee
  • Fisher Award and Lectureship Committee
  • Fundraising Committee
  • Health and AMA Policy Committee
  • Interactive Media and Public Relations Committee
  • Maibach and Poster Award Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Mentoring Award Committee
  • Mid-Year Meeting Planning Committee
  • Research Planning and Development Committee
  • Website Committee

Those interested in serving on a committee may submit a committee interest form by November 22nd. Please contact info@contactderm.org or call (414) 918-9805 with any questions.

We look forward to working with you in the future.

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Education and Research Award Opportunities

The ACDS is committed to advancing the care and understanding of dermatitis and allergy through the promotion of education, research and advocacy. As part of this initiative, ACDS offers the following education awards to help encourage research in these areas.

For more information or to apply for an award, either click on the above award name or here.

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ACDS AMA and Health Policy Committee Update

Members of the American Contact Dermatitis Society are engaged in the entire house of medicine and almost one third of our members are also members of the American Medical Association (AMA). Dermatology has a strong voice at the AMA level because we have leaders at all levels of the AMA.

The AMA has been instrumental in maintaining fair reimbursement for our members. Due to its efforts, Anthem Blue Cross reversed policy on reducing payment in half for evaluation and management services on the same day as a procedure such as patch testing. The AMA has championed the physician-led team at the state and local level. It has also slowed down much of the vertical integration taking place such as the CVS-Aetna merger. This is important because mega mergers have the potential to reduce patient choice and drive up costs.

Because of your support as members of both ACDS and AMA, ACDS is very likely to become a full voting member in the AMA House of Delegates by 2021. But we cannot rest on our laurels. Our inclusion in the House of Delegates is based in part on the percent of ACDS members who belong to the AMA.

I urge all of you to join the AMA and want to thank those of you who are already members.

Bruce A. Brod, MD
Chair, ACDS AMA and Health Policy Committee

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ACDS Member Highlight

For 30 years since its inception by ACDS member and dermatologist John Hannifin and his patient Irene Crosby, the National Eczema Association (NEA) has been an advocate for patients with all forms of dermatitis.

Dermatologists and ACDS members Jeff Yu, Mamta Jhaveri, and Dathan Hamann were thrilled to be new faculty at the recent Eczema Expo 2019 which was hosted in Scottsdale by the NEA. Over 500 patients with eczema and their family members attended lectures, workgroups, discussions, and other fun activities related to skin health.

Dr. Yu led sessions on allergic contact dermatitis and allergens in eczema care products. Dr. Jhaveri led a special yoga in the morning and counseled patients on holistic care for eczema. Dr. Hamann reviewed the literature on bathing practices and sexual health for eczema patients.

The ACDS Education committee headed by Dr. Jennifer Chen was tasked with developing patient education materials to inform eczema patients about the risks of contact dermatitis among those with sensitive skin. These materials were well-received and provided a great opportunity to discuss patch testing with eczema patients, particularly for those with atypical symptoms or adult onset AD. Several patients also provided positive feedback about the CAMP database app.

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ACDS Mid-Year Meeting - September, 2020!

ACDS will hold a Mid-Year Meeting September 25-26, 2020 in Philadelphia at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District. Save the date and follow #ACDSMID20 for the latest updates!

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Dermatitis Journal Editor-in-Chief

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Stay Tuned for a New and Improved ACDS Website!

The ACDS website is currently undergoing some updating and reorganization, which will be completed in the coming months. The educational content and support resources are currently being updated as well.

We would greatly appreciate your feedback on the types of resource content you would be interested in seeing! Please fill out this extremely brief survey to help us better serve your needs.

Sincerely,

Your Education Committee:
Jennifer Chen, MD (Committee Chair)
Motunrayo Adisa, MD
Crystal Davis, RN
Ida Duarte, MD
Dathan Hamann, MD
Kari Martin, MD
Laurie Parsons, MD
Apra Sood, MD
Rabina Walsh, MD

Your Website Committee:
Jennifer Chen, MD (Committee Chair)
Keri Chaney, MD
Cory Dunnick, MD
Michael Sheehan, MD
Jeff Yu, MD
 

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