FROM THE FOUNDATION

The 20th Anniversary of Excellence in Education

2023 Clinical Symposium

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort was host to the 20th edition of the DF Clinical Symposium, from February 3-5. 

The DF Clinical Symposium has a reputation for excellence that attracts hundreds yearly to receive a serious, in-depth medical educational experience and support the Foundation's work.

This year dermatologists, residents, and non-physician clinicians flocked to the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, host of the Clinical Symposium’s anniversary event to share in the celebration of the 20 years of excellence.

Appreciation

DF President Dr. Janet Fairley delivered a plenary address that acknowledged the generous contributions from the community that support research in dermatology, and the people behind it. The 20th anniversary of the Clinical Symposium, she said, heralds the next decade of continuing medical education and the advancement of dermatologic knowledge.

BVZ_7613

Cutting-edge talks

The program delivered 11 concurrent breakout sessions and 19 mini-symposia in each of five categories. Program co-chairs Drs. Janet A. Fairley, Yvonne E. Chiu, and Jack S. Resneck, Jr., invited renowned specialty experts Drs. Adewole Adamson, Crystal Aguh, Christian Baum, Daniel Bennett, Brittany Craiglow, Tammy Ferringer, John Harris, Jennifer Huang, Megan Noe, Aimee Payne, Michael Rosenblum, and Christopher Sayed to present talks on one of five themes during the 3-day conference: Perspectives on Melanoma, Expanding Treatment Armamentarium, Case-Based Biology, The News You Need, and The Big C: Cancer.

The Therapeutic Forum is a Clinical Symposium tradition that attendees look forward to each year. It’s a collaborative learning session held at the end of days 1 and 2 where attendees with faculty members to gain insight into the day’s topics. Qs&As abound!
The Therapeutic Forum is a Clinical Symposium tradition that attendees look forward to each year. It’s a collaborative learning session held at the end of days 1 and 2 where attendees with faculty members to gain insight into the day’s topics. Qs&As abound!
BVZ_7747
BVZ_8263
BVZ_9097

Stiefel Scholars

Key note speakers received funding from the Foundation to pursue their research. Drs. John Harris, Aimee Payne and Michael Rosenblum each received a prestigious DF Stiefel Scholar Research Awards earlier in their careers. These awards were bestowed only to outstanding mid-career researchers. Each has utilized the critically timed funding to make significant strides in their research and contributions to the specialty.

Dr. John Harris discussed the more than three millennia-long pursuits of better vitiligo treatments. He also presented recent data that describes new treatments for this ancient disease.
Dr. Michael Rosenblum's virtual presentation described research findings in the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in skin, and potential applications on human skin.
Dr. Aimee Payne described novel personalized, genetically engineered T-cell therapies being developed for skin disease therapy.

Views and vibes

Attendees enjoyed an elegant setting and excellent meal during the celebratory beach reception held on the first evening, February 2.
The round table of friends new and old.
A local steel drum band enlivened throughout the evening.
After the meal, guests mingled and caught upon on news.

A traditional BBQ

It may not have been a “must-attend” invitation, yet the BBQ luncheon-on-the-beach drew crowds ready to partake in a good old American tradition.
They said yes to a wide assortment of barbecue favorites, good company – and of course – sunscreen.

Learn more about the DF Clinical Symposium.