ASDS Annual Meeting Highlights in Chicago, IL
There
were multiple pre-conference events, including a hands-on cadaver lab for
facial anatomy for cosmetic injections, a chemical peel workshop, a fireside
chat with innovators, and a “straight talk” discussion about devices and more. One
of the unique features of the ASDS Annual Meeting is the opportunity for
hands-on learning. Those who attended the pre-conference sessions expressed
that they were interactive and engaging, offering practical tips that could be applied
to their clinical practice. This interactive approach also fostered a sense of
camaraderie among colleagues and formed new connections.
The conference formally began on Thursday, November 2nd, with a keynote address from Adrian Gostick, a global thought leader, founder of a workplace consulting firm, and best-selling author. He shared his insight about teamwork and leading high-performance teams. He discussed the five disciplines of today’s most effective work groups, which is further elaborated upon in his book, “The Best Teams Win.” After that strong kick-off, the Thursday morning plenary focused on cosmetic dermatologic surgery pearls, featuring an all star line up of speakers including Dr. Jean Carruthers, Dr. Corey Hartman, Dr. Arielle Kauvar, Dr. Paul Friedman, Dr. Joel Cohen, and Dr. Omar Ibrahimi.
After the high yield plenary, the daily lectures were divided as Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery, Skin Cancer Reconstruction, and General Dermatology/Other. In this way, there were 3 lectures going at any given time, and attendees could move about freely between them. Conveniently, the lectures are recorded and available for purchase in case there were conflicting sessions which precluded attending a lecture of interest. Some of the lectures I found most useful included Perfecting Safe and Effective Combination Treatments: Expert Strategies, Girl Boss: What it Takes to Be a Successful Female Dermatologic Surgeon In and Out of the Office, and Blepharoplasty for Dermatologists.
Another unique and engaging part of the conference included the Breaking Bad plenary, and the Better Call Saul session. The Breaking Bad plenary, which took place on Saturday, November 4th, included leading experts such as Dr. Sue Ellen Cox, Dr. Roy Geronemus and Dr. Jill Waibel discussing real cases and complications they have experienced, exploring what went wrong, and how this may be prevented in the future. The Better Call Saul lecture, which took place on Friday, November 3rd, included leading experts such as Dr. Mathew Avram, Dr. Jeanine Downie, Dr. Jeremy Green and Dr. Robyn Siperstein, who detailed their experiences as victims of fraud during their dermatology career. These two unique lectures offered practical insight and tips in an entertaining format, touching on topics that are not always discussed.
Another stand out was the Iron Surgeon competition. This took place on Saturday, November 4th, and is a long-standing tradition of the ASDS Annual Meeting. In this plenary, there are two competitions, one surgical and one cosmetic, to win the title of “Iron Surgeon.” Each competitor shared his or her presentation, which included cultural parodies including Law & Order, Mean Girls, Barbie (the movie), and South Park, as well as a technical discussion and before and after photos. Dr. Emily Ruiz and Dr. Nathaniel Jellinek battled it out on the surgical side, and managed to end in a tie! Dr. Arisa Ortiz and Dr. Heather Rogers competed for the cosmetic title, with Dr. Heather Rogers winning in the end. All the participants presented excellent work and exceptional (and hilarious) presentations, and it was a fun event for all.
No dermatology conference would be complete without an exhibit hall experience. The bustling exhibition hall at ASDS showcased the latest products, devices, and services from industry leaders and innovators. Attendees had the opportunity to explore exhibitor booths, engage in product demonstrations, and collect product samples. There were also decadent food offerings in the exhibit hall, from cannolis to cappuccinos!
The ASDS Annual Meeting offers an ideal forum for networking, fostering connections among professionals from diverse backgrounds within dermatologic surgery. Attending the meeting gave me an opportunity to see many colleagues and friends, as well as mentees and mentors. It was a fruitful time for discussions, sharing experiences and even planning future collaborations. Social events and networking receptions helped facilitate the camaraderie, and it was a happy reunion for Annual Meeting attendees.
With its diverse educational offerings, hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and access to cutting-edge technologies, the ASDS Annual Meeting left attendees inspired. If you were not able to attend the meeting this year, there is still time to purchase video recordings of the lectures. Additionally, be sure to mark your calendar for Oct 17-20th, when the next annual meeting will be held in Tampa, Florida, for a warm fall escape.
Dr. Murphrey is a member of the ASDS. She is not presently involved in ASDS leadership or the Annual Meeting committee, and has no conflicts to declare.
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