Dear Fellows of the American Academy of Dermatology and Dermatology Residents/Fellows, 

This petition is in support of an American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) resolution (COI Disclosures and Private Equity), which was introduced by Sailesh Konda, MD, FAAD for consideration at the AAD Summer Meeting this past July 2018. The purpose of this petition is to shed light on financial conflicts of interest with private equity that are relevant to dermatology. Unfortunately, this resolution was quashed due to procedural reasons. Furthermore, as we have seen with recent events, academic discourse is being censored by legal teams hired by individuals who stand to gain from consolidation and private equity-backed groups. This resolution will be resubmitted for consideration at the AAD Annual Meeting this upcoming March 2019 in Washington, DC. Please sign your name with degree, FAAD, and/or postgraduate year, if applicable.

WHEREAS, private equity acquisitions in the dermatology market have been increasing; and

WHEREAS, private equity seeks to partner with influential dermatology leaders; and

WHEREAS, influential dermatology leaders may take advantage of the current climate by selling their practice to, acquiring equity in, consulting for, serving on the board of directors for, and/or taking leadership roles in private equity-backed groups; and

WHEREAS, these influential leaders have a significant influence in the future direction of our field; and

WHEREAS, there is an inherent conflict between personal ties to private equity and the potential policies that may shape the future of dermatology, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the American Academy of Dermatology amend its COI document to require disclosure of financial interests with private equity that are relevant to dermatology.

Sailesh Konda, MD, FAAD
Joseph Francis, MD, FAAD, FACMS
Kiran Motaparthi, MD, FAAD
Jane Grant-Kels, MD, FAAD

Read about the AAD Advisory Board Resolution Process and consider reaching out to the AAD Advisory Board to voice your support.

REFERENCES:

1) JAAD: Future considerations for clinical dermatology in the setting of 21st century American policy reform: corporatization and the rise of private equity in dermatology

2) New York Times: Why Private Equity Is Furious Over a Paper in a Dermatology Journal