The evolution of leadership: analyzing the presidents of American Dermatology Societies overtime

• Published in: Archives of dermatological research 2023-03, Vol.315 (2), p.295-300
• Main Authors: Abushukur, Yasmine, Mansour, Meghan, Cascardo, Camilla, Keeley, Jacob, Knackstedt, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Associations; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Leadership; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Presidents; Short Report; Societies, Medical; Statistical analysis; United States
• ISSN: 1432-069X; 0340-3696; 1432-069X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00403-022-02368-6

Within organized dermatology, it is imperative that leaders embody a diverse group of individuals, reflective of the dermatologists they represent and the greater U.S. population. Despite women constituting more than half of the dermatologic workforce, they represent a leadership minority in dermatology society higher level positions. This gap is evident by fewer women holding presidency positions within prominent dermatological societies; however, a comprehensive comparison across multiple societies has yet to be made. Our study analyzes and compares demographic as well as academic metrics of presidents from 16 prominent dermatology societies spanning 22 years, 2000–2021. Data were collected using organization websites, which demonstrated 247 unique presidents over 22 years. Of these presidents, 175 (70.9%) were male and 72 (29.1%) were female. Surgically focused societies had 63 (87.5%) male presidents and nine (12.5%) female presidents, while clinically focused societies had 112 (64.0%) male presidents and 63 (36.0%) female presidents ( P