Calling all investigators, practitioners, and academics!
Dermatology Focus is published quarterly by the Dermatology Foundation. As a vital component of the Foundation’s educational program, the digital magazine communicates the latest developments in all aspects of the specialty and Foundation news.
Practitioners, academic and non-physician clinicians, residents, and anyone interested in dermatology will find something intriguing to read.
SCIENCE
Twenty-two years ago, Kurt Lu, MD, was a postdoctoral fellow in molecular and cellular dermatology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He was studying macrophages with Kevin Cooper, MD and wanted to know more about the role these cells play in the resolution of inflammation in the skin.
FROM THE FOUNDATION
2026 DF Award Application Season Coming Soon
The Dermatology Foundation’s Research Award Program has been a driving force in advancing patient care for over six decades. By supporting innovative ideas and early-stage research, the program helps investigators generate new knowledge that leads to real breakthroughs in dermatology.
DF HONORARY AWARDS
A Master Educator, Mentor and Scientist
Dr. Vincent DeLeo, the 2025 recipient of the DF Lifetime Career Educator Honorary Award, has devoted his life to education, mentorship, and innovation. And he has awards, distinctions, honors, and the respect of many colleagues to prove it.
PROFILES
Kaess Trust Endows the Dermatology Foundation with $1.5 Million Gift
The bequests of Dr. Karl Kaess and Carolyn Kaess will foster new generations of medical professionals and academic institutions.
Dr. Karl Kaess and his wife, Carolyn, shared a profound belief in the power of endowments to foster the next generation of medical professionals and strengthen academic institutions. Their $1.5 million gift from the Kaess Trust is a meaningful acknowledgment of the Dermatology Foundation’s role in advancing the specialty and supporting investigative research.
2025 CS PLENARY SESSIONS
It’s rare to find yourself among top experts in your field who are just as eager to connect with you as you are with them, unless you’re at DF’s annual Clinical Symposium. Every year, this CME event brings together renowned speakers and leaders in dermatology.
In this issue, you’ll find summaries of presentations delivered by Drs. Desai, Gelfand, Glass, and Klufas. Their insights highlight key advances and real-world challenges shaping today’s dermatologic care.
We Want to Hear From You
Dermatology Focus has a circulation of over 13,000 dermatologists. Contact us to be certain you receive this quarterly publication or to request a prior print issue.